Meth
You can find detailed information about methamphetamine on the MethHelp website.
What it is
Methamphetamine (meth, P) is part of the amphetamine group of synthetic drugs, which have a powerful stimulant effect on the user. It can be a powder, a crystal-like-rock, or a pill.
What it does
The effects of meth (P) can vary from user and depends on the strength of the product. Using meth produces wakefulness, hyperactivity and often a euphoric effect.
Myths and legends
If you use meth, you will become violent
Using meth will not turn the user into a violent maniac. It can cause erratic behaviour or agitation but will not spark a violent rage in everyone who uses it.
Everyone who uses meth is a lowlife
People from all walks of life can become addicted to meth.
Risks
Using meth poses great health risks and risks to the user’s mental wellbeing. For heavy users, normal self-care routines such as sleeping, eating, washing and exercise can be neglected, which can lead to slept deprivation, malnutrition and dental damage. In more extreme cases, lack of sleep and food can induce a drug psychosis.
Long term use of meth can cause anxiety and depression, damage to the nervous system and susceptibility to infection and disease.
Intravenous (IV) drug use poses risks to the user’s health, especially the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and skin infections. Sharing needles or syringes is extremely risky because this is the way infection can be transmitted. Never share your injecting equipment. If you need clean needles, there are needle exchange centres in most major centres in New Zealand. Exchange centres are listed here.
