Submitted by: Laura Stith
If you think it’s not here…think again. Several individuals (Becky Arnold, Tim McCartney, Dave Spiess, Laura Stith) from the Clermont 20/20 Leadership Class of 2005 are embarking on an awareness campaign to lead to a "Death to Meth" in our community. Methamphetamine, or "Meth", is a highly toxic and addictive drug that has a dramatic effect on the central nervous system. Meth is a man-made drug that contains ingredients such as Sudafed (Sudoeffedrine), Lithium (found in batteries), Alcohol/Alcohol Based Products, Ether/Starting Fluid, Sulfuric acid/Acetone, Industrial Strength Drain Cleaner, Acetone, and Rock Salt.
Meth users can be anyone – males and females, old and young, wealthy, middle class and poor. Meth can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested, or injected. In the short term, Meth is a powerful stimulant that can increase wakefulness and decrease appetite. Meth causes a large release of dopamine in the brain. Users appear agitated, have rapid speech, and increased physical activity. Physical changes include dilated pupils, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased body temperature, and tremors. In the long term, Meth is highly addictive. Chronic abusers show significant weight loss, teeth grinding, and open wounds. Use of the drug can cause irreparable damage to the blood vessels in the brain, resulting in stroke. Chronic users may have violent behavior and psychotic features such as paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.
Meth is made in clandestine laboratories. The process of making meth is easier than ever. Recipes are readily available. These labs can be found anywhere. They are in urban, suburban, and rural locations. They can be in homes, garages, sheds, and cars. They are in poor, middle class and wealthy neighborhoods.
THESE LABS POSE A DANGER TO OUR COMMUNITY. Labs can explode. Children in these labs are exposed to toxic chemicals. People on meth often engage in criminal behavior. There is a huge cost associated with the drug including the cost to investigate, arrest, and incarcerate these individuals, the cost to place the children found in the labs. Each pound of meth leaves behind 5-6 pounds of toxic waste, which is typically disposed of inappropriately. There are consequently huge clean up costs.
Did you know that Clermont County has busted more labs than any other county in the state of Ohio. Labs have been busted in Eastgate, New Richmond, Loveland, Goshen, Milford, Batavia, Amelia, Felicity, Bethel, Moscow, Miami Township, Jackson Township, Wayne Township, Ohio Township, Union Township, Wayne Township, Stonelick Township, Pierce Township, Franklin Township, Tate Township, Monroe Township, and more... The cost to our community is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
YOU CAN HELP RID OUR COMMUNITY OF THESE LABS. Know what to look for. Labs often have strong chemical smells to them. Observers may see large amounts of cold medicine, drain cleaner, antifreeze, batteries, coffee filters, glass beakers, mason jars, other liquid containers with hosing taped to them.
If you suspect a meth lab, please call:
Clermont County Sheriff
Narcotics Task Force
(513) 625-2806
If you don’t think Meth is here…it’s here.
Please visit our website at www.death2meth.com for more information.
Laura Stith is a Child Psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer for Child Focus in Mt. Carmel, Ohio