Danny : Hi, my name is Danny and i have been an investigator for 18 years. What questions do you have?

  Kim: Danny How big is the meth. Problem in Georgia?

  Danny : The meth problem is probably the most abused of all illegal drugs. It is the drug of choice, even ahead of crack cocaine.

  Danny : Another popular 'drug' is cough syrup.

  HOLLY: What is the youngest meth user you have ever seen

  Danny : So far, 13.

  HOLLY: Is it the type of drug that once it is tried it is an instant addiction

  Danny : Not always. it depends on the person. Some folks...

  Danny : are genetically dependent on something. They are at the most risk.

  HOLLY: How difficult is it to recover from it's use

  cdunlop: Danny,what areas ( within the state) do you find the heaviest concentration of meth abusers?

  Danny : I'd say that rehab has about a 20 percent chance of recovery.

  Danny : Cdunlop, it is very widespread.......but the rural areas are just as likely to be the center of use as the city.

  HOLLY: I had the opportunity to study a little about this drug in my drugs and beahvior class and it's affects to the body are incredible

  Kim: How do you see this drug impacting families?

  Danny : yes, the chemicals used in its production do...

  HOLLY: What is it about this particular drug that has such an impact on the skin and teeth

  Danny : not have a formula that is conducive to good health, obviously.

  Danny : Its called formication. the user who is high on meth will tend to see things like bugs..

  HOLLY: is this drug difficult to make

  Danny : ingrown hairs become snakes, and the sores are from the constant picking to get them "off"

  Danny : It is very easy to make.

  Danny : The chemicals give meth mouth....

  Danny : methanol and ether, sulfuric acid, and red devil lye and iodine all combine to go into your system. A chemical conversion that is deadly for tooth enamel, skin aging....

  Danny : Would you drink lye? Well, it is in meth.

  Danny : Would you drink lye? Well, it is in meth.

  Danny : it sucks the fat cells, the good tissue gets disrupted, those type things.

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  Kim: How does this drug effect children who may live in a home where it is made?

  Danny : First off, the neglect is dreadful. THe needs are not met....

  Danny : The meth "cooks" are also users, and their whole function is to make and consume meth.

  Danny : The children's health affects include liver damage, lung damage from inhaling fumes....

  Danny : It is also cancer-causing.....

  HOLLY: I have heard that when meth is made in a house the house has to be destroyed because of the residue from the chemicals is every where and highly toxic

  Danny : Remember that ether was once used to put people to sleep....

  Danny : Slight exposure to ether can cause headaches, nausea.

  Kim: If a teacher or worker were to see a child who was living in one of these homes is their any one thing for them to look for ?

  Danny : The home does not have to be destroyed. But it does have to go through cleanup. Hotel rooms are dangerous due to this.

  Danny : Look for signs of general neglect, a chemical smell on the child's clothes, hair. It is a strong smell.

  Danny : The children need to have more food, because they don't get it at home.

  Danny : Just general signs of not getting their needs met.

  Danny : Teachers need to be very aware. I personally feel teachers need meth training.

  Danny : There are alot of kids falling through the cracks of our society.

  Danny : Just because the signs of meth are not that evident, or people don't know what to look for.

  Kim: What should we teach our children about this drug to maybe help them ?

  HOLLY: Have you seen many cases were a teacher reported possible meth use at child home b/c of these signs

  Danny : Kim,, yes, because the student describes a situation that is pretty evident. Also, when and if the teachers meet the parents, it is extremely evident something is wrong.

  Danny : If we can be honest with children and tell them how dangerous these chemicals are.

  Danny : they will get the message.

  HOLLY: Danny, thank you for some interesting information. It is a lot to think about.

  Danny : Meth is not just from Americans. It is highly distributed out of Mexico as well.

  Kim: Do you see people who are already drug addicts turning to this drug, is it cheaper than say crack or other drugs?

  Danny : It is a growing problem everywhere.

  Danny : The high lasts longer, which is attractive to the veteran user.....

  Danny : Per dose, the cost is cheaper, but some users are dual users, and alternate between drugs.

  Danny : Whatever is available at the time.

  Danny : THe traditional meth user doesn't live long. Think of the chemicals....... but that is true of any drug.....

  Danny : No one knows what the outcome is on this yet. You could do so much damage that it shortens your life by many years.

  Kim: Do you think we have enough or adequate facalitys to help the drug addicts?

  Danny : It can give you lithium poisoning, and causes irreversable damage to your neurological system.

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  Danny : Kim, no we don't. The problem is monumental.....

  Danny : There are alternate treatment plans out there, but the drug courts for the users are a great alternative to the traditional court system.

  Kim: Facilitys

  Kim: You mean there are courts set up for drug users?

  Danny : Yes, Troup COunty has a system..... a special court that deals with drug users. The sentencing.....

  HOLLY: Well I have been reading all of your responses and there is so much about meth that I was unaware of. This chat has shed some light on the meth world and all it involves. I have enjoyed it Good Night.

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  Danny : Doesn't always use jail time, but rather "get clean" options. It's an attempt to get them clean rather than put them in jail. Job training and such is offered. A lifestyle change, if you will.

  Danny : It's been in place for about a year and has been very successful. They don't always reappear once they go thorugh the program, but some do.

  Kim: That is great, because unfortunately this happens in many good families .

  Danny : You are correct, Kim. A lot of good families have been destroyed by meth. It starts out innocently, but gradually the drug takes over.

  Danny : It affects every facet of your life. A very few come out of this addiction.

  Kim: I have a question for families parenting teenagers is there anything to help them recognize problems before they are so bad?

  Kim: Or maybe things to watch for?

  Danny : There's alot of information out there. I am doing a seminar in Columbus in March and i go into detail about what to look for.

  Danny : Seeking information is key. SOme parents are so terrific about talking about sex or other things they know about, so why not educate oneself on this topic in order to be prepared as well?

  Danny : It is just something all parents need to be aware of and be willing and able to address with thier child. Don't be afraid to open up a dialogue with your child. you will be surprised what they are already aware of.

  Kim: Most of us here have Adoptive or Foster children who already are very needy unfortunaly they are usually easy prey for drugs , can you give these parents some basic informaton on what to watch for ie (behaviors etc)

  Danny : change in habits, friends.....

  Danny : secretive behavior, money missing from home, unexplained absences or reports of cutting school or unusual behavior at school. Maybe more agressiveness.

  Danny : Endorphines are released and agressiveness is sometimes a big sign. No fear. Also not sleeping alot where they once did....

  Danny : all types of differences from what they 'used to be'.

  Kim: Could you give us some of the ingredients that are common that are used to make this drug , things we can watch for at home?

  Danny : The key ingredients for meth are, in part, red devil lye, antihistimines like Sudafed, anything containing ephedrine....

  Danny : starter fluid, gas additives like STP......rock salt like is used in ice cream.....

  Danny : lots of things.

  Danny : Remember, look at these ingredients. Highly flammable as well....

  Danny : Think of the damage to the surrounding, but the internal damage is severe.

  Kim: Do you think some of these things will be illegal one day because they are to easy to buy and make this drug?

  Danny : Where do you think these ingredients go when they are flushed during the manufacturing process.

  Danny : Anything containing ephedrine is behind the counter now and is being regulated......

  Kim: We are coming to the end of our chat has anyone got any last minute questions for Danny?

  Danny : Anhydrous ammonia is used in legitimate things like fertilizer, as a cooling agent, and a key ingredient in meth. It is being regulated as well.

  Kim: Danny We certainly have been educated on the effects of Meth and just how big the problem is in Georgia. We Thank you Danny for being here and hope you much success in educating and stopping this Horrible drug.

  Danny : It's alot to take in and we invite you to come to the Center's website at www.gacrs.org and see when the training in March is. It is in Columbus on the 24th.

  Danny : we would love to see you there!

  Kim: I hope to see you there, Thanks again Danny and Goodnight