Debunking Crystal Meth Myths | The War on Drugs

Around 500,000 people in California are addicted to methamphetamine. Out of a population of almost 40 million, that’s one in every 200 people. But this goes way beyond the US: Meth is raging across Mexico, the Philippines and South-East Asia too.
Meth is also one of the most misunderstood and unfairly stigmatized of all the illegal drugs. Here we pick apart crystal meth fact from fiction and discover how the War on Drugs has created a world on speed.
In The War On Drugs, we examine the social implications of prohibition worldwide. Any attempt to shut down the trade in drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine or weed invariably sets off a chain of events that just makes things worse, leaving a trail of death, illness, violence, slavery, addiction, crime and inequality across the globe.
Everyone loses - except, in a weird kind of way, the drugs themselves.
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[@nikkiforrester740]

I was addicted to meth from the age 16 until age 30. I have all my teeth, my skin isn’t riddled with holes and sores but, it really f’d me up physically because I wasn’t taking care of myself , I was picking at my skin, not eating, not sleeping, etc & it took me about 2 years after I got clean to get back to normal physically. I am happy to be 8 years clean today

[@dannykay2624]

I used to shoot meth , and see helicopters chasing me.. but I literally moved out of Tucson Arizona to Florida change my life. I am 17 days away from a year sober!!

[@zoobieloobie3646]

Crystal meth almost ruined my life. Lost all my friends, stole from my parents, didn't sleep, my skin got really fucked and dehydrated.

[@CP-jt6bw]

Methamphetamine is an acidic drug, which causes the mouth to become dry. Saliva is vital to keeping the mouth balanced and prevent acid from eating away at the tooth enamel. When the salivary glands are suppressed from prolonged use of meth, the mouth becomes very acidic and the teeth begin to rot

[@rockhoundcustomjewelry]

"I would like to congratulate drugs, for winning the war on drugs" truest statement ever made. We need to stop the war and start the help. Alot of these people need help an that don't mean throw them in jail

[@noelnantais5154]

Can’t believe that changing the name of a drug by one letter didn’t help the situation in Thailand.

[@aprilcanipe2614]

Facts...when you're getting high or trying to... your personal hygiene takes a major back door, brushing your teeth, taking a bath, eating, drinking, brushing your hair, it just doesn't matter anymore, it's fascinating and frightening!

[@arkyudetoo9555]

I was a meth addict for many years now. I've been sober for 3 years but it was unintentional because I was forced to move to a place where I don't know any dealers personally. I don't buy meth from people that I don't know or those who are not recommended by people that I know of. It's a struggle for 3 years as you literally have an itch that can only be scratched in a certain way. However, I immediately see the effects of me not using meth for 3 years. There are both positive and negative effects, most of the negatives though is withdrawal. Your mood swings are insane, it is difficult to get sleep and you feel like you have completely lost your willingness to do something. I feel like I am helpless if I'm sober, and everyday is a struggle looking for someone who knows someone where I can buy. After a while, it gets better though, right now I am avoiding a situation where there's a possibility that I can get it. The only time that I realized that I was getting better when there was one time when one of my friend told me that he has some and wanted to come over so we can smoke, I respectfully declined and since then he never asked me to smoke meth out of respect of my decision. It is not a complete BS to tell you that smoking meth is like giving you an insane amount of mental ability to do things that you couldn't do, ranging from arts, music, and science but the longer you're using the your body will want more and more and that is a problem. Your dosage level will increase to a point that 90% of your income will be only spent on meth. My advice to those who are still on it, maintain your dosage if you haven't decided to quit yet and for those people who knows a love one who is addicted on meth, don't force them to go to rehab if they are not ready because they will go into relapse and it is far worst than what they are currently.

[@SeraphXS]

The war on drugs will only really be won when you find out why the people are taking them and fixing that problem.

[@backwoodsjunkie08]

I was a heroin addict for over a decade. And even amoung the heroin users we would tend to steer clear of meth users, the psychosis they would have would make them a psychotic nightmare. At least with Heroin users the most that would happen is they would nod out, but with meth addicts they are completely unpredictable. One minute they would be completely fine and the next they would flip their lid and pull out a knife or a gun. That drug literally would drive people to insanity

[@P3N1SLUVR]

My sister and I were both IV addicts. I used heroin and cocaine, she used heroin and meth. I did dabble in meth as well but I found it way too intense. Once she started to use meth her life really went downhill. She began stealing from every store she went into. She stole upwards of 500 designer bags so she could sell them for more drugs. It also changed her diet and she started consuming more sugar which led to poor dental health because she wasn’t brushing her teeth regularly due to being homeless. It wasn’t the meth directly that fucked up her teeth, but it was the effects of it on her mental and physical state that caused her to stop caring for herself. She ended up getting pregnant and having a beautiful little boy and she’s now almost a year clean and working to get custody of him.

[@anentpsguidetothegalaxy9132]

You did a really good job guys! Keep up the good work

[@TaigaShaman]

“So what you’re saying is, meth is good” -Cathy Newman

[@napalm_lipbalm86]

I was on meth for 6 months and no one even knew it, not even my family. I didn't loose weight I actually was eating while.on it more than my usual appetite. My appearance didn't change at all. It was just a euphoric feeling which made me chase the high.

[@julianriemer2916]

Thank you again for a valuable information and once more showing up the war on drugs has failef misserably!

[@ETWISRAEL]

“We would like to congratulate drugs for winning the war on Drugs “ that’s ICONIC

[@sarayomama4525]

Meth causes mouth dryness which leads to decay and recession or 'shrinking' of gums. I've seen plenty of meth mouth out here in Vancouver.

[@TSwizzle777]

“This is charity it shouldn’t be charity it should be public health!” That says it all man.

[@hunterthompson5254]

It's kind of crazy to think that 20 years ago a meth bust was a very rare occurance in my area (NW Illinois), and now meth is commonly found on petty criminals and most traffic stops.