It started innocently, or so I was told.
My girlfriend, Diane, called desperately seeking help. She was frantic and she was babbling. In all of the years I have known her, I have never once heard her in this state and I became frightened for her.
“Diane, try to calm down. What is going on?"
“Everything’s caving in on me and I need to get out of here. I need money, Judi; I need at least $5000.00 by tomorrow morning. I need it for my kids, Judi, for my kids."
She needs it for her kids? Her ‘kids’ are all grown up and married. Actually Diane has two grandchildren and is excessively wealthy. What on earth is going on?
“Where is Robert? Diane, try to calm down and tell me what is going on, pl-l-l-e-e-e-zzzz."
“I will, Judi, but I can’t right now; tomorrow, I promise, I will tell you everything, tomorrow. Just send the money Western Union by tomorrow morning. I really need it."
“Di-…" – dial tone, she hung up on me. I instantly dialed star 69 but the number was unlisted.
As I picked up the phone to call Robert, there was someone already on the line.
“Hello?"
“Judi, is that you?"
“Yes, who is this?"
“Robert."
“Robert? What the heck is going on? I just got off of the phone with Diane and she was frantic. What’s going on?"
“Judi, I need to talk with you. I know you’re busy with Laura and your father…when can we speak uninterrupted?"
“Speak now, Robert, or I will go crazy…."
I silently listened to Robert and was literally getting nauseous. Once their youngest daughter, Marcy, married two and a half years ago, Diane apparently embraced her newfound ‘freedom’ aggressively.
According to Robert, Diane mysteriously started to go out once or twice a weeknight with it eventually progressing to the entire week. At first, Robert suspected an affair, but, even more tragic, discovered ‘the affair’ to be with crystal meth, or ‘ice’.
Huh? Diane? How could this be? We have known each other since we were five years old and the ‘riskiest’ thing either one of us ever did was drink a six-pack of beer together when we were in the twelfth grade. I was ‘straight’, but Diane was even ‘straighter’.
Robert further explained his true heartbreaker: Diane was not the only one on drugs; his youngest daughter, Marcy, was just as addicted and they ‘partied’ constantly together.
Robert swore me off sending her a dime or to speak with her. He warned me that I would be conned and lied to. He also educated me about interventions and that they were planning one within the next twenty-four hours. He then told me to check my e-mail in about thirty minutes.
I hung up emotionally frozen. I could not believe what I had just heard. Diane? Marcy? My mind was racing. I have known Diane for over forty years and I thought we were very close. I was a part of every important event in her life and was genuinely happy for her and Robert.
She did well with Robert. I have known him since my junior year of High School. He was a really good, honorable guy with a great sense of humor. Robert’s business eventually boomed and they bought a magnificent estate in East Hampton, L.I.
They had it all, or so I thought.
Because of my work, I am always online and my curiosity kept drawing me towards my e-mail. The next thirty minutes seemed like an eternity. Finally his e-mail arrived with a number of photos attached. It was sickening. Diane’s daunting image stared at me head on. This was not my Diane; this was an old, ragged, boney woman. And Marcy? A front tooth was missing and her face was covered with scabs; she too was a stranger. This was not the young, beautiful woman I knew who was planning a stupendous garden wedding three years ago; this person was unrecognizable to me.
I trashed the pictures and prayed. What is going on, Lord? I do not understand this epidemic. What is so great about the ‘high’ that draws so many people down the valley of hell? Where is the seduction?
I strongly believe that drugs are behind the decay of our younger generation and, like Diane’s situation, the street drugs have moved to all aspects of society.
With the world always at our fingertips, I proceeded to look up everything I could on the Internet regarding Crystal Meth. What I found was alarming but important to know. God help us, and God help our kids for this surely is ‘the devil’s candy’.
SOME FAST FACTS ABOUT CRYSTAL METH
I. What Is Crystal Meth?
Crystal meth is the most potent form of speed available. It is also known as crystal, crank, tweak, go-fast, and dozens of other names. In medicine, it comes in tablet form, as the prescription drug, Desoxyn®. More often, though, it's cooked in makeshift labs and sold on the street as a powder, which is injected, snorted, or swallowed. A smokeable form of crystal meth, called "ice," is also used.
Crystal meth is a Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant and is a powerful and highly addictive illegal drug. It is made up of a chemical compound that is toxic to humans. An estimated 42% of first time crystal meth users report an intense desire to use the drug again. It is estimated that 84% of second time crystal meth users begin a dangerous pattern of increasing their meth use. Amazingly, some first-time users report that they did not even think that they were high initially because they just felt so great! The initial addiction is "mostly mental", users want to "feel great" (get high again - stay on a drug run), and do not realize the damage that is being done "internally" to their body and brain.
I. General Symptoms of a Meth User
Users may experience: agitation, excited speech, decreased appetites, and increased physical activity levels (Other common symptoms include dilated pupils, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and elevated body temperature). Occasional episodes of sudden and violent behavior, intense paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and bouts of insomnia. A tendency to compulsively clean and groom and repetitively sort and disassemble objects such as cars and other mechanical devices.
- increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration
- flushed or tense appearance
- dilated pupils
- bloodshot eyes
- a chemical odor on their breath
- excessive sweating
- rapid speech
- inability to sleep or eat
- severe weight loss
- rotting teeth
- scars and open sores
- paranoia
- hallucinations (often times auditory)
- repetitive behavior
- memory loss
- depression
- psychosis
- teeth grinding
- restlessness
- tremors
III. Alarming Information For Parents Of Younger Children:
Flavored Meth Use On the Rise (“USA Today", April 2007)
‘Reports of police candy-flavored methamphetamine are emerging around the nation, stirring concern among and abuse prevention experts that drug dealers are marketing the drug to younger children….
… Drug traffickers are trying to lure in new customers, no matter what their age, by making the meth seem less dangerous," DEA spokesman Steve Robertson says….
…Among the new flavors are strawberry, known as ‘Strawberry Quick,’ chocolate, cola and other sodas, Robertson said. One agent reported a red methamphetamine that had been marketed as a powdered form of an energy drink, he said.’
If you or someone you know is suspected of using this deadly drug, seek out help immediately. For further information, go to:
http://www.stopmethaddiction.com/index.htm or call: 1.800.871.4350.
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