Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system. The drug is made easily in clandestine laboratories with relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients. These factors combine to make methamphetamine a drug with high potential for widespread abuse.

Methamphetamine is commonly known as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." In its smoked form, it is often referred to as "ice," "crystal," "crank," and "glass." It is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. The drug was developed early in this century from its parent drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Methamphetamine's chemical structure is similar to that of amphetamine, but it has more pronounced effects on the central nervous system. Like amphetamine, it causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects of methamphetamine can last 6 to 8 hours. After the initial "rush," there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals can lead to violent behavior.

Short term effects, or signs to look for, of a meth user include increased alertness, depression, sense of well being, paranoia, hallucinations, violent behavior, delusions of grandeur, extreme weight loss, increased heart rate, moodiness, sores from constantly scratching their body, excessive talking, uncontrollable movements, twitching, jerking, shortness of breath, convulsions, grinding teeth, clenching jaw and sleep deprivation.

People who are on meth will usually be thin from weight loss, have a pale face, may have a high body temperature with excessive sweating from “cooking” their internal organs, could have dental decay with blackened or yellow teeth, possibly body odor of glue or mayonnaise and acne type sores from scratching.

Long term effects can include insomnia, seizures, brain damage, panic attacks, lead poisoning, uncontrollable anxiety or rage, hyperactive behavior, loss of pleasure, strokes, twitching, addiction, impaired speech, severe depression, abused and neglected children, malnutrition, strychnine poisoning, and potentially, death.

The State Legislators have taken strides to reduce production and use of meth in Iowa. Senate File 169 outlines: All products containing ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, and most pseudoephedrine products, are classified as Schedule V controlled substances. A Schedule V controlled substance must be sold behind a pharmacy counter. However, the Act excepts from Schedule V certain pseudoephedrine products allowing the product to be sold by a retailer. A "retailer" is defined to mean a person or business entity engaged in this state in the business of selling products on a retail basis.

The Act limits a retailer to selling pseudoephedrine products that contain 360 milligrams or less of pseudoephedrine in liquid, liquid capsule, or liquid-filled gel capsule form. Any pseudoephedrine product sold at a retail establishment must be displayed in a locked cabinet or behind a sales counter where the public is not permitted. A retailer shall not sell more than one pseudoephedrine product to a person within a 24-hour period. A purchaser prior to purchasing a pseudoephedrine product must present a government-issued photo identification card, sign a logbook, and legibly print the purchaser's name and address in the logbook. Prior to purchase, the retailer must also determine that the signature in the logbook matches the name on the photo identification.

A purchaser shall not purchase more than 7,500 milligrams of pseudoephedrine from a retailer, either separately or collectively, within a 30-day period.

An employee of a retailer or a purchaser who commits a violation of the Act when purchasing a pseudoephedrine product from a retailer commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine. For a first offense the scheduled fine is $100, for a second offense the scheduled fine is $250, and for a third or subsequent offense the scheduled fine is $500.

A person who purchases more than 7,500 milligrams of pseudoephedrine product from a pharmacy or a retailer, either separately or collectively, within a 30-day period commits a serious misdemeanor.

Upon a hearing, if a retailer or an employee of a retailer violates the Act, the city or county enforcing the provisions of the Act shall assess a civil penalty against the retailer in the amount of $300 for a first violation. For a second violation within two years, the civil penalty shall be $1,500. For a third violation within a period of three years, the retailer shall be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $2,000, and may be prohibited from selling pseudoephedrine for a period of up to three years. For a fourth or subsequent violation within a period of three years, the retailer shall be assessed a civil penalty of $3,000 and prohibited from selling pseudoephedrine products for a period of three years.

The Act prohibits and preempts any ordinance adopted by a political subdivision of the state that regulates the display or sale of products containing pseudoephedrine.

The Act requires that a person charged with the manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, or distribution of methamphetamine, be supervised and be required to undergo random drug tests as a condition of release on bail.

The Act took effect May 21, 2005. However, the bail restrictions and the restrictions on the sale of ephedrine took effect March 22, 2005.

http://www.state.ia.us/government/odcp/docs/Meth_Other_Drug_Facts_Feb23.pdf
http://www.mappsd.org/signs_of_meth_use.htm
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/81GA/Session.1/Summary/crim.htm#sf169


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