Warning signs
Indications your child may be using meth:
• Negative changes in school: Increased absences, declining grades, dropping out of extracurricular activities.
• Changes in friends.
• Increased secrecy about possessions or activities.
• Periods of hyperactivity, talkativeness and high energy followed by depression and deep sleep.
• Noticeable weight loss.
• Skin sores or scabs.
• Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors.
• Subtle changes in conversation with friends - more secretive, using "coded" language.
• Change in clothing choices, especially wearing clothes that reflect or promote the drug culture.
• Increase in borrowing money.
• Evidence of drug paraphernalia (pipes, rolling papers).
• Eye drops to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils.
• New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover odors.
• Criminal activity - theft, gang activity, violence, vandalism.
• Family management and conflict issues.
Common side effects of meth use
• Anxiety
• Body tremors
• Convulsions
• Dry, itchy skin
• Hallucinations
• Heart palpitations
• Hyperthermia (elevated temperature)
• Impaired speech
• Loss of appetite
• Paranoia
• Rise in blood pressure
Long-term Effects
• Death
• Addiction
• Anorexia
• Bad teeth (meth mouth)
• Chronic fatigue
• Fatal kidney and lung disorders
• High blood pressure, cardiac arrest, stroke
• Inflammation of the heart
• Irreversible damage to blood vessels
• Liver damage
• Malnutrition
• Seizures
Neurological and psychological effects
Brain Damage:
• Damage to brain cells
• Parkinson's-like tremors
• Drug-induced psychosis
Psychological problems:
• Emotional instability
• Mood swings
• Personality changes
• Strong depression
High school students:
During your lifetime, how many times have you used methamphetamine?
Frequency Percentage
1-2 times: 6%
3-9 times: 3.2%
10-19 times: 2.2%
20-39 times: 1.5%
40 or more: 3.1%
Total: 16%
During your lifetime, how many times have you used any form of cocaine?
Frequency Percentage
1-2 times: 4.1%
3-9 times: 3.8%
10-19 times: 2.9%
20-39 times: 2.2%
40 or more: 1.9%
Total: 15.3%
During your lifetime, how many times did you use marijuana?
Frequency Percentage
1-2 times: 9.7%
3-9 times: 8.0%
10-19 times: 6.1%
20-39 times: 5.3%
40-99 times: 6.1%
100 or more: 13.7%
Total: 48.9%
During the past 12 months, has nyone offered, sold, or given you an illegal drug on school property?
Yes: 199, 34%
No: 386, 66%
Middle School Students:
During your lifetime, how many times have you used methamphetamine?
Frequency Percentage
1-2 times: 2.1%
3-9 times: .3%
10-19 times: .5%
40 or more: 1 %
Total: 3.9%
During your lifetime, how many times have you used any form of cocaine?
Frequency Percentage
1-2 times: 3.8%
3-9 times: 1%
10-19 times: .7%
20-39 times: .3%
40 or more: .7%
Total: 6.5%
How old were you when you tried
marijuana for the first time?
Age Percentage
8 or younger: 2.6
9 .9
10 1.4
11 1.5
12 2.7
13 3.1
14 or older: 1.2
Never: 86.7
Total who have used 13.3%
During the past 12 months, has anyone offered, sold, or given you an illegal drug on school property?
Yes: 14.9%
No: 85.1%
Results of the 2005 Youth-Risk Behavior Study
Who to call
For help or treatment information, call the Community Counseling Center at (775) 882-3945.
To report meth-related crimes, call the sheriff's department hotline at (775) 882-2020 ext. 6384 (METH).
To know more about the anti-meth coalition, or to obtain informational materials, call Liz Teixeira at 887-2101 ext. 1204, or stop by City Hall, 201 N. Carson St.