Meth in Georgia

Crystal Meth

Meth has been an epidemic in America for many many years.  But it wasn’t till recently, say the last decade that it has taken over America.  It has become available not only in the big cities but all the way into rural countryside.  Meth is everywhere now; manufactured in homes in your suburb neighborhood and transported in from Mexico.  Recently, an explosion took place in Lilburn killing three innocent children.  It is the latest casualties due to Georgia’s increasing crystal meth epidemic.

Law enforcement says that the three children were living in a home surrounded by toxic and highly unstable chemicals.  These are the same chemicals used to manufacture crystal meth.  A spark occurred setting four pounds of crystal meth on fire causing the fatalities.  Relatives of the children used a ladder to reach the second story home.  They were able to retrieve the three children whom were four years old, three years old, and eighteen months old.  But sadly all three died from severe burns and smoke inhalation later on at the hospital.

The Gwinnett Police Department has filed murder charges against Ivan Gonzalez and the children’s mother, Neibi Brito has also been charged with trafficking crystal meth.  Meth is alive and running rampant in Georgia.

Methamphetamine Facts

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, the amount of meth seized in the state of Georgia has increased by nearly 450% in just two years.  In 2008, 51 kilograms of crystal meth was seized but multiplied by over five times to 279 kilograms in 2010.  And the crazy statistic is that law enforcement has seized 575 kilograms alone this year.

The majority of crystal meth being seized in the state of Georgia is attributed by the Mexican cartel.  But homegrown meth producers like the house in Lilburn are increasing everyday.  The number of meth lab incidents in Georgia has increased from 167 to 257 over the last three years.  These numbers include labs which use the “one pot” or “shake and bake” methods which incorporates combining basic household items with pseudoephedrine in 2-liter bottles.

Currently, the state of Georgia is combating crystal meth abuse in several ways.  At the beginning of the year, the GBI has began using a new database called the Georgia Methamphetamine Intelligence System (GMIS) to track where and how much pseudoephedrine is being purchased by customers.  In 2005, a state law required all retailers of Sudafed and Clariten-D to place the items behind the counter.  The system also implemented restrictions on the number of boxes a customer could purchase during a period of time.  And purchasers of these medications also had to show proper identification and sign a log book.

However, as addicts do, they have found ways to bypass this procedure.  They produce fake identification in order to amass large quantities of the medication.  The only issue with the GMIS program is that it can only track data that is voluntarily provided by larger pharmacy chains like Walgreens, CVS, Longs Drugs, Rite Aid, and Walmart.  However, within the first 30 days of action, the GMIS was able to identify 126 people at a particular pharmacy chain overbuying the medication.  The legal purchasing rights of these medications are nine grams every thirty days.  But there were some individuals who had purchased as much as 100 grams per month.

State lawmakers are also considering making pseudoephedrine a Class V drug.  This would allow pharmacies to still carry the medications behind the counter but not be available at convenience stores.  This would also make pseudoephedrine to become subject to tracking but unlike the GMIS, which is basically a voluntary program by the pharmacies, it would require all pharmacies to submit records of drugs they sell and dispense.

The Real Cost Of Meth

Crystal meth is often cheaper than alcohol, more potent than heroin, and much more addictive than crack cocaine.  It’s been labeled as the most dangerous street drug to ever be produced.  The side effects are diabolical producing meth mouth, extreme paranoia, and tingling sensations of the skin called meth bugs.  Thanks to the internet, though very unfortunate, meth recipes are readily available with step by step instructions.  This terrible drug has devastated the lives of many Georgians.  It could be a family member you know or your next door neighbor.  It affects everyone.  Addiction does not discriminate.

Georgia currently ranks third for meth use by teenagers.  A survey showed that 35 percent of teens think that meth is not dangerous in trying.  But crystal meth is one of those drugs that can hook a person through one use.  That is how potent and addictive the drug really is.  The Georgia Meth Project was started in 2009, focusing on preventative and education to Georgia’s young audience.  The ads focus their attention on the dangers of trying meth just once.  The campaign uses all forms of media including print, radio ads, billboard signs, television, and internet ads.  Meth use has also increased in colleges and universities in Georgia.  Many students feel they benefit twice as much since they’re able to study and stay up longer while also getting high from the drug.  As schools become more competitive to get into, it has trickled down into high schools were grades and entrance exams are crucial in determining what college they attend.  Young people don’t have a firm grasp on how deadly and addictive this drug is.  But it truly is one of the very few street drugs which can hook a person for life after just a use.  Rehabs have also seen a tremendous increase in the amount of clientele coming in for meth abuse.  Though very difficult to get off of, it is not impossible.

Crystal meth costs Georgians more than $1.3 billion dollars per year.  This includes approximately $16 million dollars in social services and nearly $300 million dollars in drug treatment.  And at least $60 million dollars is spent to keep meth cookers locked up behind bars.  Through education and awareness Narconon can help Georgians have a fighting chance to beat this drug epidemic.

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