Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Methamphetamines: Today's Drug Of Choice

Methamphetamine has made a major comeback as the choice of drug for users.

In the 1970's, meth was the drug of choice for outlaw motorcycle games, such as the Hell's Angels, Devils Disciples and Sons of Satan. In addition, many long-haul truck drivers took methamphetamine so they could stay awake while driving long hours from coast to coast.

According to Tommy Pope, criminal investigator with the Arkansas State Police (ASP), methamphetamine has many street names, including uppers and speed.

The drugs, he said, are sold in powder form, pills and capsules.

When meth is sold in powder form, he said, the drug is normally inhaled (snorted) or injected intravenously with syringes, known on the street as points or arrows.

Street terminology for injecting the drug is "bumping."

Pope said the street value of meth is about $100 per gram. An 8-ball, or 3.5 grams, goes for $250-300. An ounce can sell from $800 to $1,200, depending on its purity.

Like cocaine or crack, he said, the physical effects of meth are increased alertness, euphoria, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, elevated heart rate, increased respiration and elevated body temperature.

Prolonged use of the drug can cause blurred vision, dizziness and loss of coordination. An overdose can result in high blood pressure, fever, stroke and heart failure.

Most users, Pope said, call methamphetamine "crank", crystal or speed. The coloration ranges from white to tan.

Paraphernalia for using the illegal narcotic includes single edged razor blades, mirrors, straws and rolled up dollar bills. Other paraphernalia used includes syringes, spoons, surgical tubing or belts. The tubing or belts are used to constrict the vein to give the user a better target for injection.

Little good can come from the use of methamphetamine. Pope said many times using this drug leads to domestic violence and broken marriages.

Babies of mothers who use meth enter the world with numerous health problems.

The users themselves also suffer. Pope said meth abusers suffer weight loss and tend to be covered with skin sores, sometimes imaginary. These sores, real or not, are scratched and clawed at.

"A lot of our local crimes are related to methamphetamine use," he said. "It is an easy and cheap product to make. The low cost and relatively lengthy high users get from it contribute to its popularity.

"A lot of drug users who don't have the financial resources to get high on cocaine tend to prefer methamphetamine."

However, there are dangers in operating an illegal methamphetamine laboratory. The ingredients, when combined, create a toxic gas which can explode. Several months ago, this happened in Saline County.

When narcotics agents raid these labs, special suits must be work. These suits are also worn by those who have to dismantle the labs following the raids.

Meth users can and do become violent because of the drug use. Pope said they are most violent when in a state known as "tweaking."

This is when the user hasn't slept in several days and paranoia is at its peak. "I've seen meth users stay up locally as long as 13 days," Pope said. "As a result, they experienced suicidal tendencies for several months afterwards."

Recently, two meth labs were seized in De Queen in Sevier County. This resulted in several arrests.

Motels in Glenwood and Nashville have recently been used to cook meth. This has resulted in another five felony drug arrests.

Ingredients for the manufacture of methamphetamine can be found in drug stores, grocery stores and discount stores.

Over-the-counter cold remedies and diet pills (called mini-thins) can easily be transformed into methamphetamine.

Some states, Pope said, are trying to combat the growing meth problem with laws designed to restrict the availability of chemicals and limit the purchase of those over-the-counter drugs that can be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

In April 1996, Wal-Mart announced its retail chain would restrict large-scale purchasing of allergy, cold and diet pills that have been diverted to methamphetamine use.

Local and area law enforcement agencies believe about 80 percent of all crime is someway connected with drugs. Numerous homicides, he said, have been related to the use, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine.

The number of labs is increasing at an alarming rate. According to Bill Bryant, with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), this is attributed to new cooking methods and the availability of the ingredients.

The old way of cooking meth, he said, took up to 36 hours. Now, one to two ounces can be cooked in two hours.

In Arkansas in 1991, two labs were seized. This number increased by one in '92, and to 16 in 1993. The number fell to six in 1994, but jumped to 24 the next year.

From 1995 until now, the number has risen dramatically. In 1996 there were 95 such labs raided and seized. This skyrocketed to 242 last year and so far this year, Bryant said, there have been 80 labs seized in the state.

In 1995 Oklahoma narcotics agents raided 34 meth labs. Last year this number climbed to 241.

Missouri had two labs raided in 1992, by 1997, the number increased alarmingly to 459.

"They're everywhere," Bryant said of the labs.