ATTRACTION & EFFECTS OF METH

Crystal meth over-ramps the central nervous system, eliminating
feelings of pain, hunger and fatigue. The experience elevates the
mind to a state of extreme focus, productivity and euphoria. These
and other positive effects last up to 12 hours.

The RCMP says this creates a particular threat to children because
the effects last 1,200 per cent longer than crack cocaine, at one-
quarter the price. The standard 0.1 gram bag, called a "point," costs
between $5 and $10.

Once the effects wear off, a user will experience general nausea and
stomach cramps to varying degrees. Feelings of extreme guilt are
common, as are unpredictable periods of anger.

Multiple uses builds a users tolerance and the once-euphoric effects
are replaced by a general feeling of numbness. At this point,
addiction generally takes over as the user becomes obsessed with
achieving the euphoric high meth once provided.

A Meth addict will commonly spend his or her time 'teching', an
obsession with repeating tasks like drawing, writing, applying and
reapplying makeup or even picking at their flesh. Addicts often
become delusional and paranoid from the lack of sleep combined with
the hallucinogenic properties of the drug.

After a few months of excessive use, an addict will have developed
skin lesions, and sunken eyes. Body weight will have dropped
considerably and irreversible damage to organs and the brain may have
taken place. The body does not feel pain, hunger, or fatigue while on
the drug, so users can, and often do, stay up for days, during which
time the brain malfunctions, prompting hallucinations and illogical
fight or flight responses to whomever is near.