I found a friend through Crystal Meth !
Shocking title isn't it ! Crystal Meth is shocking and its use is growing
Crystal meth is taking over like wildfire. A concoction of ingredients ranging from nasal decongestants to lithium form rechargeable batteries to anhydrous ammonia (fertilizer) to muriatic acid (concentrated hydrochloric acid) .
2005 figures show that in one Los Angeles clinic alone; 1 in 3 gay or bisexual men who tested positive for HIV admitted to using Crystal meth. In the U.S 20 – 30% percent of gay men have used crystal meth as compared to the 5.3% of the general population.
Circuit or rave parties are a huge part of the crystal met use and addiction where people can dance away a two or three day weekend without feeling tired or hungry and their sexual appetite is stronger than appetite for food. These rave or circuit parties give gay men a sense of belonging. No matter how Proud gay men are; somewhere in the back of their heads they still hear “Sinner!” or any other derogatory words. There is a decline in the fear of contracting HIV because of more effective drugs to help control the virus. This gives a false sense of security and along with the use of crystal meth; inhibitions go out the door. Up to one third of recent cases of HIV infections have occurred during what is referred to as “crystal sex”; being having sex while high on crystal meth.
The sexual high on meth has been described as having as many as 6-10 multiple orgasms at once with a feeling of excitement up to one hour later. This is why some use crystal meth; so as “to measure up in the bedroom”
Pfizer Incorporated the maker of Sudafed@-which contained pseudoephedrine or ephedrine (one of the key components of crystal meth) once opposed restrictions on the sale of such drugs; but later reversed their decision when they released Sudafed FE@ nasal congestant-without the use of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine.
In vitro studies of HIV living in cell cultures showed that crystal meth accelerated the growth of the HIV virus 5 to 15 times faster than that of HIV not exposed to crystal meth.
After prolonged use of crystal meth “crank bugs” and “meth mouth” occur.
Crank bugs are open sores caused by meth users who scratch at imaginary bugs on the skin or deep within the skin. Some meth users have gone as far as eating the “crank bug juice” to get more meth into their systems.
Meth mouth is when teeth layers thin-crack off and turn brown or black and are brittle. Meth causes the salivary glands to dry out, which allows the mouth's acids to eat away at the tooth enamel, causing cavities as well.
Physical appearance makes vast changes over a short period of time. People who have used meth for two years have aged in appearance by up to 30 years.
Crystal Meth impacts people of all backgrounds regardless of stature in the community or economics. Users have been known to have nothing in the fridge rather than “cooking supplies”. People on government assistance as well as those making six figure incomes use crack. “crack houses” are not as always portrayed on tv. Some are ramshackle abodes while others are in well-to-do gated communities.
Centre for Disease studies conclude that to “successfully contain the epidemic of HIV, meth use must be reduced “
Much like any other addiction; there are no easy answers. There will always be a new “drug of choice” I believe that not one person wakes up one morning and says “Hey ! I think I will stick a needle in me” or “Smoke from some dirty pipe” I believe that something is missing in someones life.
While people may refer to users as “crackheads” or “junkies” ; still they are people. People worth fighting for and people worth caring about.
Joe Lethbridge 2012
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