What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You Methamphetamine in Nevada County Reason for Investigation The Grand Jury received a

The following chart shows the growth in drug related arrests in Nevada County from 2000 thru 2004. Nevada County - Total Drug Related Arrests 600 488 500 463 377 400 298 300 176 200 100 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 stserrA

Methamphetamine usage can result in hyperactivity, disturbed sleep patterns, irritability, paranoia, aggressive behavior, shortness of breath, involuntary muscle movements, malnutrition, and severe depression with suicidal tendencies. Chronic users may develop sores on their bodies from scratching at "crank bugs," which describes the common delusion that bugs are crawling under the skin. Long term use may lead to fatal kidney and lung disease, brain damage, liver damage, stroke, lowered resistance to illnesses and permanent psychological problems.

Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive drugs. It is potentially addictive from the first use.

After methamphetamine use is stopped, several withdrawal symptoms can occur, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, and an intense craving for the drug. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.

Many of the items required to produce methamphetamine are readily available at the local grocery and hardware store. Because many of the chemicals used to make meth are explosive, caustic and known carcinogens, they pose serious health hazards if ingested. The chemicals can create dangerous gases, fire or explosions if mixed together or stored improperly.

With an investment of $200 to $300, a batch of methamphetamine can be manufactured (cooked) and sold for a street value of approximately $8,000.

The potential risk to the environment is significant. The ratio of waste materials to finished product is approximately 6 to 1. For every pound of methamphetamine manufactured there are six pounds of toxic waste materials that must be disposed. Meth producers have been known to leave waste at the site, dump it into streams and rivers, spread it out over open fields, dump into sewage systems or leave it in garbage bags for the local trash collector. Motel or hotel rooms may be used for the purpose of manufacturing meth. This may result in toxic fumes that expose other guests and the cleaning staff to health hazards. The chemical vapors produced during the manufacturing process permeate the walls and carpets, making them uninhabitable. Cleaning up these sites requires specialized training and costs an average of $2,000-$4,000 per site in funds that come out of the already-strained budgets of state and local police.

The manufacture of methamphetamine is hard to prevent as the process is simple and involves uncomplicated equipment and supplies. A producer can set up a lab in a garage, bathroom or kitchen of a residence, a small shed, or in a vehicle. They often cook up a batch and then move on.

Methamphetamine use during pregnancy results in a higher risk of premature births, babies with low birth weight, cardiac blockages and birth defects. The use of meth during pregnancy impacts the fetus by reducing blood flow or by a direct toxic effect on the developing brain.

Children who are exposed to methamphetamine via second hand smoke can have detectable levels of meth found in their urine. They are often subjected to physical and emotional neglect as a result of addicted parents. Children who are legally removed from a meth environment cannot take their clothing and toys due to contamination.

Many Child Protective Service and domestic violence cases are directly related to the use of methamphetamine by a parent or family member. The following chart shows the growth in child endangerment arrests in Nevada County from 2000 thru

Substance abuse programs available in Nevada County include: a. Community Recovery Resources (http://www.corr.us/corrservices.htm) b. Hope House (http://www: corr.us/hopehouse.htm) c. Progress House (formerly Lovett House) d. Mothers in Recovery (Behavioral Health) e. The Probation Department gives an educational and informative presentation to schools and other groups in Nevada County.