Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is the active ingredient in many OTC decongestant medications, such as Sudafed and Primatene. It's therapeutic effect of relieving sinus and nasal congestion is sung high praises by many of us around cold and flu season. BUT WAIT, that's not all. It's also the precursor chemical used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine (also known as crystal meth or just meth), a dangerous and extremely addictive stimulant drug. It is commonly manufactured in home "meth labs" with everyday store-bought materials. While these items are easy to obtain they are dangerous to mix, but according to Lieutenant Jason Gates "if you can cook chocolate chip cookies, then you can make methamphetamines." (Just to clarify, PSE is chemically changed into meth during the cooking process). You might be asking yourself why should you care or interfere with somebody else's life, but let me give you one fact, and then you might rethink that. These "meth labs" are costing YOU money. That's right! In one year alone, the clean up of the chemicals these labs dump cost taxpayers 23.8 million dollars (according to The Office of Diversion Control). And if money doesn't concern you, then how about the fact that it's killing people.
OK, so we know it's serious but what does it do. Inside the body meth alters the brain causing it to release huge amounts of dopamine at one time, causing a temporary sense of euphoria. The short term affect may be pleasurable with increased energy, however because of meths extreme addictiveness there is usually long term affects which are severe mental disorders, memory loss, and severe dental problems.
PSE when used as meth causes:
· Increased Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Rate of Breathing, and/or Body Temperature
· Euphoria
· Increased Alertness and Energy
· Tremors
· Increases Nervousness, Paranoia, and/or Irritability
Withdrawals from high dosages result in:
· Severe depression or Anxiety
· Auditory hallucinations
· Mood changes, from friendly to hostile
Meth is metabolized slowly and can require up to 2 days to eliminate a single dose from the body, while the experience of withdrawal symptoms only last for a short time. The benefits of stopping the use of the drug can lead to a healthier, longer life. To stop the use of PSE for meth, officials considered taking these products off the market. However, PSE is still sold behind the counter but its purchase is highly monitored.
STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SALE OF PSEUDOEPHEDRINE
The PURCHASER must:
· display a driver's license or photo ID that denotes purchaser's age is over 16
· sign for the purchase.
The PHARMACY must make a record of the sale including:
· the name of the person making the purchase;
· the date of the purchase; and
· the item and number of grams purchased.
Sale Requirements for PSE:
· Daily sales are limited to 3.6 Grams of the base product; and
· Monthly sales are limited to 9 Grams of the base product.
INFO from:
http://www.tsbp.state.tx.us/pseudoephedrine.htm
http://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/brochures/pseudo/pseudo_trifold.htm
We'd like to close this post with a life experience generously shared with us by a former meth addict. She'd like to remain anonymous, but hopes that you learn from her life events, and take to heart the seriousness and realness of meth:
"I was 16, and didn't know anything about it when my boyfriend offered it to me. He told me it would give me energy and help me lose weight, these temptations were too powerful for me. It was a feeling of awakening, like your senses were heightened, all the while your numbed of fear, pain, and guilt. I felt alive, energized, and driven to do anything and everything. Meth was easy to obtain, usually you get it free at first because the dealer knows it's addictive. It attracted me because I wanted a better life not because I wanted to forget my life. At first I had such a feeling of immortality, I didn't even notice the deterioration creeping up on me. After time I wasn't sleeping or eating, and I became forgetfull. My vision started to go and everything was distorted like seeing things as a fuzzy tv picture. I couldn't finish anything I started, constantly bouncing from one project to the next. I was fidgety, developing dark circles under my eyes, and my hair was dry and falling out. I couldn't tell the difference between reality and thought. I developed paranoia, thinking everyone was jealous of me, and began lashing out at them to keep them away from my stuff. At this point I didn't recognize myself. Those who stop and ask "WHAT HAVE I BECOME" have one chance to stop, now or never. Those who don't...well...they never come back. I was lucky, I stopped one year from starting. When I did, I came down with sickness and couldn't move for weeks, known to me now as withdrawal. I didn't see all of the damage right away, it took years to realize all of the undoable damage. This was 15 years ago, and I am now a parent myself. I understand the horrible reality and the need to hear it first hand. I talk openly and truthfully with my daughter, and hope that my mistake can save lives now and in the future."
7 comments:
There should be a national 'system' that maintains all purchases of Pseudoephedrine. This system would track and prevent groups of people from shopping multiple pharmacies and help cut down on the abuse.
It crazy to think that something so dangerous is so easily accessible. I watched a news report once about a "meth lab" that blew up, and the person (the "cook") had to go to the hospital. That stuff is not only dangerous to take, but also dangerous to make. It's sad when people put not only their own, but somebody else's life in danger.
I once heard a guy on youtube talking about his frustrations over the restrictions of buying drugs with pseudophedrine. I think a little inconvenience is a very teeny tiny price to pay to save children's lives. I would accept huge inconveniences if I knew it would keep kids off "meth".
Methamphetamine is a truly frightening drug, research some before and after pictures of meth addicts and pay close attention to how fast the effects of this drug can occur. Healthcare workers need to be able to recognize some of these changes that can occur in individuals to possibly intervene with these addicted individuals.
Here is a website with pictures of Meth Mouth.
http://www.mappsd.org/Meth%20Mouth%20Photo%20Gallery.htm
Good information on this page. Thanks for all the information. The page and info was great. It just opened my eyes more, I knew OTC medication was harmful if used the wrong way, but its just amazing how many people become more and more addicted to it. Once again very good information and it was all very understandable.
Meth is even scarier when you hear how it has actually affected someone. I think a lot of us know it is bad, but we don't really know the damage that it can do or how it can completely change your life.
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