Interesting Information

Three things parents need to know about Meth

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in For Parents, Interesting Information

The abuse of the drug methamphetamine, or meth, is a growing problem across the country. Read on to find out what it is, why some young people are using it, and what you can do to help your teen.

What is Meth?

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that dramatically affects many areas of the central nervous [...]

Warning Signs: Is your child using Meth

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in For Parents, Interesting Information

Teenagers by nature can be moody and unpredictable so it’s sometimes difficult to tell if your child is using meth. However, there are warning signs to watch for. Take a look at the following to see if you recognize any of them in your teen.

Short-Term Use Can Result In:

Alertness and inability to sleep: Something might [...]

Ten ways Meth can Mess with you

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

Meth is one messed-up drug. Here are the top 10 reasons to stay far, far away.
10. Meth can mess with your head.
Meth can cause users to become delusional, paranoid and suffer from hallucinations. It can also lead to psychotic behavior even months after a user has stopped using. In other words, meth can make you [...]

Truth Vs. Reality

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

TRUTH: Meth can make you lose weight.
REALITY: Although meth can cause weight loss, chances are it’ll bring you a new host of problems because meth is highly addictive. Meth addicts are not concerned with anything but their next fix - in fact their teeth often rot due to extremely poor personal hygiene. Meth can also [...]

What are signs of meth use?

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

Methamphetamine — also known as meth, crank or speed — is an addictive central nervous system stimulant. Possession, manufacture, or distribution of meth is illegal in many countries, including the United States. Here are answers to frequently asked

A meth user may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms and behaviors and may have some [...]

What is a meth lab?

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

An illegal meth or crank lab is an illicit operation that contains chemicals and/or apparatus that either have been or could be used to make meth.
There are several different techniques used to produce meth. All of the processes use a variety of chemicals including explosives, solvents, metals, salts, and corrosives. During the manufacturing process or [...]

What are signs of a meth lab?

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

A typical meth lab is a collection of chemical bottles, hoses, and pressurized cylinders. The cylinders can take many forms, from modified propane tanks to fire extinguishers, scuba tanks and soda dispensers. The tanks contain anhydrous ammonia or hydrochloric acid ? both highly poisonous and corrosive.
Labs are frequently abandoned, and the potentially explosive and very [...]

How is meth made?

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

The process required to make methamphetamine is easier and more accessible than ever. There are literally thousands of recipes and information about making meth on the internet. An investment of a few hundred dollars in over-the-counter medications and chemicals can produce thousands of dollars’ worth of meth.
Some of the ingredients most commonly used to make [...]

What are signs of meth distribution?

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

* Unexplained new wealth
* Scales
* Frequent visitors
* Late night/early morning meetings
* Borrowing money for short periods of time (24-72 hours)
* Rooms or parts of rooms off limits
* Increase of packages in the mail on a routine basis
Source: The Partnership For a Drug Free America
Site: http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/MethResources/meth_faq.html

What are the health risks if I live in or near a former meth lab?

October 7th, 2008  |  Full text  |  published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information

Meth causes health problems not just for the users, but also for others who are unintentionally exposed to the chemicals.
The risk of injury from chemical exposure depends on the chemical itself, the concentration, the quantity, and the length and route of exposure. Chemicals may enter the body by being breathed, eaten, injected (by a contaminated [...]


Medicine & Health »

  • Can Taking Ecstasy Once Damage Your Memory?
    Oct 15, 2008 | Full text

    In the wake of a meeting of the UK government’s advisory body on drugs to discuss the harmful effects of ecstasy, Professor Keith Laws and Professor Fabrizio Schifano will reveal research findings about the drug at the university’s Health and Human Sciences Research Institute Showcase on October 21. [...]

  • Cocaine Use and Cardiovascular Complications
    Oct 7, 2008 | Full text

    Lester Grinspoon, MD, a psychiatrist and associate professor at Harvard, is frequently used as an “expert” in support of “medicalization of marijuana.” He has publicly attested to his personal use of illicit drugs and on several occasions has published statements in leading medical journals that cocaine is neither harmful [...]

  • Cocaine Accelerates HIV Infection
    Oct 7, 2008 | Full text

    It has been known for more than two decades that many illicit drugs inflict damage on the immune system leaving the body open to a host of opportunistic infections, not the least of which is the HIV virus. Other drugs accelerate the progression of HIV to full blown AIDS. In fact, a study [...]

Psychoactive Substances »

  • Prescription Pain Relievers
    Oct 22, 2008 | Full text

    Relief from pain. In some people, prescription pain relievers also cause euphoria or feelings of well being by affecting the brain regions that mediate pleasure. This is why they are abused. Other effects include drowsiness, constipation and slowed breathing. [...]

  • Study shows Ritalin may cause long-term changes in the brain
    Oct 21, 2008 | Full text

    On Sunday researchers at the University of Buffalo reported that Ritalin, used on children diagnosed with ADHD, may cause long-term changes in the brain. Many clinicians regard Ritalin as short-acting but the research with gene expression in an animal model suggests that it has the potential for causing long-lasting changes [...]

  • Brain Receptors for Marijuana/Cannabis
    Oct 20, 2008 | Full text

    The body produces many chemicals and hormones, i.e., histamines, steroids, thyroid hormone, digitalis-like substances, adrenalin, etc, all of which work by attaching to corresponding brain receptors. The key is that these natural substances produced by the body are present in nanogram amounts [...]

Cultural Environment »

  • Conventional wisdom strikes out
    Oct 6, 2008 | Full text

    Among the things everybody knows is that Democrats, being the party of the little people, raise money in small contributions, whereas Republicans, being the party of fat cats, raise funds in huge basketfuls from wealthy corporate types. At least, that’s the way the world is usually portrayed by the “Today Show,” The New York Times and the Democratic Party. So it’s of more than passing interest to see [...]

  • Movie and TV violence and obscenity
    Oct 6, 2008 | Full text

    A full page ad appeared Sunday, April 25, l999 in the Denver Rocky Mountain News. It had a picture of Steve Allen and an appeal to Parents. A partial quote from the ad read: Are you as disgusted as I am at the filfth, vulgarity, sex and violence TV is sending into our homes? are you fed up with steamy unmarried sex situations, filthy jokes, perversion, vulgarity, foul language, violence, killings, etc.? [...]

  • If you drive, dont groove
    Oct 6, 2008 | Full text

    A study from Israel’s Ben-Gurion University looked at driving under the influence of various types of music using a virtual Volkswagen New Beetle. The music used was Kenny G, “Stranger on the Shore” at 56 bpm, Spyro Gyra’s “Cashaca,” at 112 bpm, and DJ Jurgen, pop trance mix at 132 bpm. The study’s findings are just [...]