Methamphetamines are synthetic amphetamines - or stimulants - produced illegally and sold in pill form, capsules, powder and chunks.  An Amphetamine is a chemical that has stimulant properties similar to adrenaline.  Meth stimulates the central nervous system like adrenaline -and it is horrifically addictive.  After it's effects wear off, it causes severe withdrawals more intensive and longer-lasting than traditional street amphetamines, such as "white crosses" and cocaine. 

Two popular forms of methamphetamines are known as crank and ice.  Crank refers to any form of methamphetamine.  It's often yellowish in color, and has a blue-cheese-like consistency.  Named for it's resemblance to frozen water, ice is a crystallized, smokeable chunk form of methamphetamine that produces a more intensive high than cocaine or speed.

Smoking meth or injecting it intravenously provides an intense "rush" or "flash" for a few minutes; snorting or ingesting it orally, the user achieves a prolonged sense of euphoria.  While snorting usually takes effect after three to five minutes and ingesting takes about 15 to 20 minutes, the high itself can last from 8 to 32 hours, depending on the individual and the purity of the drug.  

METH IS AN ENSLAVING DRUG

Not only is it the most addictive of all drugs, but according to several treatment providers, meth addicts are also the hardest to treat of all drug users.  They are often the overly excitable and "extremely resistant to any form of intervention once the acute effects of meth have gone away."  Meth addicts get over the acute effects of withdrawal fairly quickly; however, the "wall" period typically lasts six to eight months.  This is a period of prolonged abstinence during which the brain recovers from the changes meth has caused.  during this period, recovery users feel depressed, fuzzy-headed, and think life isn't at all pleasurable without the drug.  Because prolonged use causes changes in the brain, willpower alone isn't enough to help a meth addict. 

THE SMALLEST AMOUNT WILL KILL YOU

Meth strength varies from batch to batch, so there is no "safe" level of use.  A toxic reaction or overdose can occur at relatively low levels- as little as 50 milligrams of pure meth for a non-tolerant user.  In case of an overdose, high fever, convulsions, and cardiovascular collapse may precede death.  Because stimulants effect the body's cardiovascular and temperature-regulating systems, physical exertion increases the hazards of meth use.

Produced by the Oklahoma City Police Department and supported by the US Department of Justice/COPS