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How is Meth Introduced into the Body? How
Does the Use of Meth Affect the Human Body? The number of negative effects far exceeds the limited medical uses. These include but are not limited to hyperactivity; disturbed sleep patterns, irritability, paranoia, aggressive behavior, shortness of breath, involuntary muscle movements, malnutrition and severe depression with suicidal tendencies. Long-term usage may lead to fatal kidney and lung disorders, brain damage, liver damage, stroke, lowered resistance to illnesses and permanent psychological problems. Is Meth Addictive? Risks
in Production Meth cookers are not noted for their safety consciousness.
A very small portion wears breathing apparatuses during manufacture
of the drug. Those who
don’t are exposed to phosphine gas, a World War I nerve agent, released
during the cook. In addition,
most cookers learn the process and obtain their recipe by word of mouth,
off the Internet or by apprenticing with another cook. Few, if any, of the cooks fully understand the chemical
properties of the precursor chemicals and the risks of fire and explosion
are high. The use of anhydrous ammonia in the Nazi Method of
manufacturing creates specific health problems. As we noted previously, anhydrous is not available to most
meth cookers and they are forced to steal or barter from someone else who
has stolen the anhydrous. Anhydrous
ammonia, commonly used for agricultural purposes, is stored under pressure
as a gas in sealed tanks. The anhydrous liquefies when it is mixed with
air. When anhydrous ammonia
contacts the skin it chemically absorbs the moisture from the skin and
results in a burn similar to frostbite.
High volume contact can result in serious burns and even death.
Inhalation of anhydrous can cause severe lung damage and contact
with the eyes may lead to a loss of vision. Anhydrous thieves will employ any means available to
penetrate pressurized storage containers and have been know to transport
liquid anhydrous in buckets, coolers and other unsafe vessels. This lack of concern for safety places the anhydrous thief at great
risk. In fact anecdotes run
rampant about meth cookers who have been severely burned or injured while
attempting to steal anhydrous. In
addition, law enforcement officials and unsuspecting citizens are also at
risk when they come upon an active or partially disposed meth lab. Some meth cookers have realized that law enforcement officials frequently maintain surveillance over anhydrous tanks and have began bartering with meth users and juveniles as a means of minimizing their legal risks when obtaining the necessary precursor ingredient. Reliance on unsuspecting juveniles and incapacitated meth users probably increases the potential for anhydrous related injuries. Risks
Associated with use of Meth The most visible health affects associated with meth are the
adverse consequences Some users prefer meth to other drugs because of its long
lasting and intense “high.” Because
methamphetamine is a stimulant it strongly affects the central nervous
system and one’s motor skills. Users
who are under the influence suffer from errors in judgment and are at
increased risk of being involved in accidents.
Other negative impacts include memory loss, pupil dilatation and
sleep loss (also related to some accidents).
Meth users also frequently suffer from paranoia, depression and
irritability. Meth’s ability to provide users with newfound and
long-lasting energy is related to its ability to increase heart rate,
respiration and change body temperature.
While the user is enjoying this surplus of energy he or she may
suffer heart spasms, chest pain, hypothermia, hypertension and
convulsions. Some of the health risks associated with meth are indirect
and may negatively affect unsuspecting or uninvolved parties.
Recent research indicates that women who continue to use meth
during pregnancy have a higher frequency of premature birth, low birth
weight, cerebral infarctions and congenital anomalies.
The use of meth during pregnancy impacts the fetus by reducing
blood flow or by a direct toxic effect on the developing fetal brain.
Another indirect impact relevant to children is the
detectable levels of meth found in the urine of children who have been
exposed via side stream (second hand) smoke.
Manufacturing or consuming meth via smoking in the presence of
children may put them at risk to this type of exposure.
Other indirect risks to children include physical and
emotional neglect and abuse. Addicted
parents may sacrifice the basic care of their family for the drugs.
Investigators frequently remove children from their addicted
parents because of poor living conditions. The compulsion of the drug and
the aggressive states associated with “tweaking” also has been linked
to the physical abuse of children. Chronic use of meth can result in serious health risks.
Long-term users have a higher incidence of kidney failure, strokes,
liver damage and heart problems. Quite simply, the human body is not
strong enough to tolerate the increased metabolism for long periods nor is
it able to “filter” out the toxic ingredients of meth.
As a result, organs tend to weaken or are poisoned from heavy
meth use and some users die prematurely. A discussion of meth-related health risks must include overdose (toxic psychosis) and addiction. Humans differ in their tolerance for foreign substances. Some individuals can overdose on a short amount of the drug while others experience a greater high. Medically, it is unlikely that any human has a complete tolerance for the drug thus making the risk of overdose a constant. We also noted that meth was highly addictive. Again, the addiction curve will vary individually but consistent and prolonged use is extremely likely to result in addiction. Fire Hazards The chemical reactions created in the processing of meth
often release toxic and combustible fumes.
Most meth cookers attempt to conceal their lab and will cook in a fairly enclosed area. Under
these conditions, combustible fumes can’t escape and pilot lights or light switches can trigger a deadly explosion and fire. Ether, one of the main ingredients in Nazi Meth, is highly
flammable. If the ether is
exposed to heat it will combust and will spread rapidly.
Some officials report that increases in automobile fires likely
stem from the accidental ignition of ether in mobile meth labs. The risk of fire and explosion also extends to lab cleanup. Some of the waste materials are also combustible and officials assigned to lab clean up must take numerous precautions. One ingredient, sodium metal, reacts violently when exposed to water and has been know to destroy plumbing if improperly disposed. Threats
to the Environment and to the General Public Some meth cooks prefer to manufacture outside their own residence. Some have been known to cook in state and federal parks reducing the risk of explosion and for security purposes. Cooking outdoors may reduce risks to the residence and its occupants but jeopardizes the environment Other cooks will rent motel or hotel rooms and will
manufacture meth over night or over a weekend.
Other guests are exposed to toxic fumes and the risks of fire and
explosion. Cleaning staff may
be left with the toxic waste. Last,
future residents of the room will be exposed to fumes and residue that has
permeated walls and flooring. The paranoid reaction resulting from use of the drug also
creates health risks. Meth
cookers and distributors fear being robbed and being arrested. As a result, approximately 20 percent admit to carrying a
weapon. While the greatest
risks involve intentionally discharging the weapon, the accidental or
drug-related discharge poses a threat to the user and to anyone within his
or her immediate vicinity. Some cookers have also been known to rig booby traps or to keep attack dogs to protect their lab, money or their stash of drugs. Law enforcement official and unsuspecting neighbors or children may be injured it they set off the booby trap or if they are attacked by the dog.
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The
potential for fire in the manufacture of methamphetamine is inordinately
high.