About the HERC

• Mission Statement
• Meet Our Staff
• Frequently Asked Questions
• HERC Happenings
• Student Employment Opportunities
• Internship Opportunities
• Graduate Assistantship Opportunities

Services

• Bulletin Board to Go Program
• Consultations
• Downloads
• Don't Cancel That Class!
• Request a Program
• Request Posters

Programs

• Alcohol
• Nutrition
• Sexual Health
• Sleep Health
• Tobacco

Information

• Cold and Flu Prevention
• Hydration
• Other Drug Information
• Staph/MRSA Information
• Stress Management
• Sun Safety
• Tobacco Free Campus Initiative
• West Nile Virus

Events

• Great American Smokeout
• Health Fair
• Kick Butts Day
• Safer Spring Break Fair

Organizations

• Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition
• Peer Education
• Health Service Advisory Board
• Tobacco Coalition
• total eiu

Health Service Departments

• HERC
• Illinois Higher Education Center
• Medical Clinic
• Student Affairs Assessment

Methamphetamine

What is it?

Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine. It is long lasting and toxic to dopamine nerve terminals in the central nervous system. It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting powder taken orally or by snorting or injecting, or a rock "crystal" that is heated and smoked. 

Street names

Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass

Facts

• Meth can kill you by causing overheating, convulsions, and coma.

• Meth users may have cracked or deteriorating teeth that must be extracted. This is often caused by a combination of xerostomia (dry mouth), extended periods of poor oral hygiene, frequent consumption of high calorie, carbonated beverages and tooth grinding and clenching. Some reports have also speculated that the acidic nature of the drug is a contributing factor.

• Meth can cause a severe "crash" after the effects wear off.

• Meth can damage blood vessels in the brain leading to strokes (which can produce irreversible damage).

• Meth can be made from readily available ingredients like battery acid, drain cleaner, lantern fuel, and antifreeze.

 Effects

Side effects: Methamphetamine increases wakefulness and physical activity, produces rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure and body temperature. Long-term use can lead to mood disturbances, violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, and severe dental problems.

Long-term effects: Long-term methamphetamine abuse has many negative health consequences, including extreme weight loss, severe dental problems, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. Chronic methamphetamine abusers can also display a number of psychotic features, including paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions. Transmission of HIV and hepatitis B and C can be consequences of methamphetamine abuse.

Scope of Drug

Methamphetamine use among teens appears to have dropped significantly in recent years, according to data revealed by the 2009 monitoring the Future survey. The number of high-school seniors reporting past-year†† use is now only at 1.2 percent, which is the lowest since questions about methamphetamine were added to the survey in 1999; at that time, it was reported at 4.7 percent. Lifetime use among 8th-graders was reported at 1.6 percent in 2009, down significantly from 2.3 percent in 2008. In addition, the proportion of 10th-graders reporting that crystal methamphetamine was easy to obtain has dropped to 14 percent, down from 19.5 percent 5 years ago.

Sources: 

http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/methamphetamine.html

http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugs-sources.aspx