Methamphetamine

Also known as “crystal meth” or “ice”

What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant that damages the brain and body. So powerful that using meth just once can lead to addiction. Meth is commonly referred to as crystal meth, crank, speed, glass, or ice. It takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.

How Does Meth Affect the Body?

  • weight loss

  • tooth loss/meth mouth

  • nasal damage

  • dry, itchy skin

  • faster heartbeat

  • increased body temperature

  • organ damage

  • nausea

  • exhaustion

  • problems sleeping

  • headache

  • uncontrolled movements (twitching, etc.)

  • loss of appetite

  • malnutrition

  • numbness

  • stroke

  • death

  • psychosis

Methamphetamine Facts

Did You Know?

  • In 2013, 95.7% of Hawaii high school students have never tried meth.

  • 2 in 3 teens know there is a risk to trying meth.

  • Ice is the street name for methamphetamine.

  • Smoking meth delivers a very concentrated dose of the drug which often can cause irreversible damage to the lungs and brain.

  • Meth abuse cost the U.S. 23.4 billion dollars annually.

  • Hawaii ranks #2 in the nation for the percentage of meth-related treatment admissions among all other drug-related admissions.

  • 42% of Hawaii's drug enforcement operations are due to meth.

  • In 2011, Quest Diagnostics, a major drug testing company, identified Hawaii as #1 in the nation for workplace meth use.

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Additional Information on Methamphetamine