The abuse of methamphetamine in western Colorado is an extremely serious and growing problem. Data shows that western Colorado has a significant problem in the production and trafficking of methamphetamine, as well as other illegal drugs, comparable to other regions in western states. Overall, methamphetamine use in the whole state of Colorado increased from 14.9 percent of drug admissions in 1997 to 22.4 percent in the first half of 2003.

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. Methamphetamine is closely related chemically to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are greater. Like amphetamine, it causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects of a single dose of methamphetamine may last 12 hours or more. After the initial “rush”, there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals can lead to violent behavior.

Typically methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. Another form of methamphetamine, in clear chunky crystals, is called crystal meth, or ice. Methamphetamine can also be in the form of small, brightly colored tablets. The pills are often called by their Thai name, yaba. Methamphetamine is taken orally, by intravenous injection, by snorting the powder, and, most commonly, by smoking.

Methamphetamine is easily produced in clandestine laboratories or meth labs using a variety of ingredients available in stores. The manufacturing of methamphetamine is called "cooking". Cooking a batch of meth can be very dangerous due to the fact that the chemicals used are volatile and the by-products are very toxic. Meth labs present a danger to the meth cook, the community surrounding the lab, and the law enforcement personnel who discover the lab. A Center for Disease Control and Prevention study on hazardous substance-release events found that methamphetamine labs caused injury to 79 first responders (police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and hospital personnel) in 14 states participating in the study. The most common injuries were respiratory and eye irritation; headache; dizziness; nausea and vomiting; and shortness of breath. In addition to the dangerous nature of methamphetamine production, the labs are often booby-trapped and workers are well armed.

What Are Some Consequence of Methamphetamine Abuse?

Effects of abuse include addition, psychotic behavior, and brain damage. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression, and intense cravings. Chronic use can cause violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, delusions and paranoia. Methamphetamine releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement. It appears to have a neurotoxic effect, damaging brain cells that contain dopamine and serotonin.

What Treatments Are Effective for Methamphetamine Abusers?

Unlike heroin addicts, who can be weaned off the substance with methadone, there are no pharmacological treatments for methamphetamine. The only currently available treatment is behavioral therapy. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), a division of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has determined that the Matrix Model, a method of outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the programs with good evidence of effectiveness for methamphetamine addiction. (See The Matrix Model). The Model is currently being compared to seven other outpatient treatment methods in the first large clinical trial of behavioral treatments for methamphetamine addiction. The 800-patient randomized study is being conducted by the Methamphetamine Treatment Project, an organization funded by CSAT, in an effort to identify the most effective treatment strategies for methamphetamine addiction. CSAT will use the results to issue its national treatment guidelines.

All West Slope Casa member agencies have been trained in the Matrix Model. Outpatient and residential treatment centers have adopted components of the Matrix program to treat methamphetamine and other drug addictions. Continuity of care from residential to outpatient to aftercare has improved as all West Slope Casa providers have adopted a similar treatment regime.