Meth Addiction in Nevada

Coined as the capital of meth addiction, Nevada has one of the worst meth problems in the U.S. With research finding revealing that 6.2% of high school youths have already used meth at least once in their lifetime and a whooping 76% of law enforcement agencies reporting methamphetamine as the most abused drug in the south west (U.S), it goes unsaid that the meth addiction in Nevada is indeed an issue that needs to curbed.

Classified as a schedule II drug owing to its high potential for abuse, methamphetamine is basically a central nervous system stimulant drug. Although quite similar to amphetamine in terms of structure, methamphetamine is only available through prescriptions in which the doses are usually quite low compared to the amount that is often abused. Meth elicits the feeling of an intense rush that brings about euphoria. This makes the abusers feel really good. When ingested, meth takes a similar composition to dopamine, a neurotransmitter that brings about feelings of joy and happiness. Fooling the brain in to thinking that meth is actually dopamine, meth is able to bring about the happy feeling while still stimulating the production of more dopamine. The effects don't end there either, meth further affects norepinephrine and serotonin levels causing such effects as paranoia, increased anxiety, lack of sleep, erratic heart beat and increased blood pressure. While the intense rush might last from 6 hours to 24 hours, the highs are often followed by crashing lows that force the users to look for more in order to sustain the highs.

Once addicted, meth users experience health deterioration what with the effects of meth mentioned above. In fact, most meth addicts suffer from tooth decay more aptly referred to as 'meth mouth' while others scratch their skin incessantly with a meth-fueled delusion of insects or rather parasites crawling under their skins. Meth addicts are also known to be quite violent reason why law enforcement in Nevada consider meth addiction as a huge problem to state security.

In the bid to reduce and control the spread and growth of meth addiction in Nevada community leaders have also decided to step in. A documentary on the negative effects of meth use, 'Crystal Darkness' was aired on all local television stations in Nevada on 9th January with the main aim of educating the community. Juvenile services, families and also county services have also waged a war against meth addiction in Nevada pointing out the fact that it won't take long before children start selling out their bodies for a dollar to buy meth. But, with users becoming hooked after a single dose, the need to apprehend the use of meth rather than treating the addiction has never been greater. Plus, given the difficult withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting meth, most of those that check in to rehab centers often end up relapsing.

However, with a new bill set on making pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient in meth, only available by prescription, there is hope that meth addiction in Nevada will be reduced greatly. Sen. Leslie commented that the main goal of the bill is to reduce the huge costs in terms of crime, health and meth addiction in Nevada and the U.S at large.