Communities on Ice: The Social Implications of Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine, also known as "the poor man’s cocaine" or "ice", completely consumes the life of anyone who's ever used it. It's sometimes referred to as the "walk-away drug", as many pick up the habit and walk away from everything and everyone they care about, in search of the only thing that matters from that moment on: their next fix.

The manufacture and distribution of meth is unfortunately fairly accessible to anyone willing to risk life, limb or prosecution to supply the demand. Meth labs can be constructed and operated in just about any domestic setting (basements, garages etc.). Whether the goal is an elaborate, large-scale operation and distribution ring, or the simple, yet volatile two liter bottle "shake and bake" method for personal use, any neighborhood and community can fall victim to the hazards and pitfalls of meth addiction.

Though stricter regulations on pseudoephedrine (cold medicine) now require a valid ID for purchase, average neighborhood manufacurers often rely on groups of individuals, or "smurfs",  who procure their ingredients at numerous pharmacies, thereby circumventing the databases which document and monitor transactions. This is but a mere bump in the road in the methamphetamine world; as with any coveted illegal or highly regulated product, the criminal underworld steps in to fill the void.

Eighty percent of the meth in the U.S. makes it's way to our streets courtesey of our porous Mexican border and the cartel-funded superlabs on the other side. It's relatively inexpensive and up to 90 percent pure. The product is sold and imported at wholesale prices, converted into crystalline form and dispatched to a neighborhood near you. 

In most cases, I tend to lean towards the Libertarian stance regarding recreational drug use. What one chooses to drink, snort, smoke or shoot should be the responsibility of the person in question, for better or for worse. I don't believe in policing the vices of others, nor do I advocate protecting people from the consequences of their indiscretions. Sink or swim on your own dime, on your own time; as long you're no charge on the well-being or liberties of others, I'll never give your personal pastimes a second thought. Meth addiction, however, has a way of encroaching on the lives of entire communities, and one's willingness and freedom to plunge into self-destructive, intrusive behaviors undoubtedly ends where my personal space begins. Due to the fact that users and dealers alike insist on polluting and endangering my neighborhood in exchange for their selfish, capricious cravings, I can only consider each passing day they endure their meaningless existence as one day too long.

The scourge of meth abuse and it's ramifications can best be presented in three aspects: first hand, second hand and third hand exposure; beginning with the user, followed by a rippling effect which hits the user's family and finally the general public.

The meth users themselves are the first example. Physically, meth inhibits blood flow to one's blood vessels, effectively destroying the circulatory system and the body's natural ability to heal itself. Heart palpitations/high blood pressure occurs and pulmonary function suffers. Liver and kidney function eventually begin to falter and the user's skin becomes dehydrated, causing a loss of elasticity. Tooth enamel is worn away and the overall poor nutrition and neglected hygiene of the users further exacerbates their ailments. As the user progresses from the euphoric sensations of regular use to all-out binges, psychosis begins to manifest. Schizophrenia-like behavior and an overall disconnect from reality begins to take hold, making the addict a danger to themselves and everyone around them. Productivity at work or school begins to suffer; the user spirals into desperation and financial ruin. For all intents and purposes, the user becomes a brain damaged and diseased being devoid of any self worth or quality of life. They'll do anything to satiate their addiction, irrespective of those they have to violate in the process. 

The effects of meth abuse on the user's family can be described as second-hand exposure. This would include prenatal methamphetamine exposure, occurring as the drug is delivered to the fetus from the placenta. Infants who are exposed to methamphetamine prenatally often suffer from low birth weight and/or neurological disorders. Children born to meth mothers later exhibit behavioral problems similar to ADHD, with some displaying signs of depression and anxiety disorders as early as 3 years of age. The neglect that children of meth users face is also detrimental; not only are they in danger of accidental exposure, but are often left unsupervised or in squalid living spaces, many times with little to nothing to eat. They're under the influences of every drug addled bum and miscreant their parents associate with, making them easy prey for child predators and other unsavory characters of the criminal world. Other members of the household, while less vunerable than young children, suffer as well, living on edge with the unpredictable and sometimes violent user. All of the aforementioned contributes to the cycle of intergenerational patterns of drug abuse and criminal behavior. The costs and burden of this cycle and the type of people it ultimately produces are then passed onto you, and later your children.

Third-hand exposure is something the average person is more likely to experience at one point or another, occuring when a lab, dealer or user moves into your neighborhood. Labs contaminate with the chemicals used in meth manufacturing or the waste byproducts of said activity. The vapors from the various substances used to produce meth can be absorbed into furniture, flooring, air vents, drapes or walls. Harmful residue has the potential of lingering for years on basins, bathtubs or sinks, putting unsuspecting people at risk for chemical burns, cancer and many of the same ailments suffered by habitual users.

The toll meth production takes on the environment is also catastrophic. Approximately 5 to 7 pounds of toxic/hazardous waste is produced for every single pound of meth. The lab operators at times will carelessly dispose of solvents down drains or nearby bodies of water. Many, in their attempts to avoid detection, will toss waste in dumpsters which are destined for landfills, or dump gas canisters and disassembled car batteries in open fields, contaminating the surrounding soil and groundwater while posing imminent dangers to pets and wildlife.

The dealer and user, too, have the potential of eroding away a neighborhood's sense of security and safety. Wherever a dealer has set up shop, a steady influx of human filth begins crawling around the area. A fairly quiet and decent neighborhood block suddenly experiences an uptick of criminal activity, with anything from petty theft to aggravated assault, or worse. Eventually your living space is transformed into a haven for the illicit and dangerous pastimes of addicts and habitually inebriated street scum. Along with posing a threat to your family and loved ones, the lingering presence of this useless segment of society is detrimental to surrounding businesses and eventually drives down property values.

If methamphetamine labs or dealers have moved into your neighborhood, there's a great chance that you're well aware of it. The first steps in purging this element is knowing what to look for, followed by knowing who to contact regarding your observations. 

Examine the appearance of the property in question. Windows will sometimes be covered with foil, plastic, tarps, or boarded up entirely. This can be for privacy and/or to prevent fumes from being detected from the outside. Odd ventilation systems protruding from rooftops or windows sometimes emanate foul odors which resemble those of ammonia, rotton eggs, fertilizer or abrasive cleaning products. Elaborate security measures such as cameras or baby monitors occasionally pepper the property, along with an excessive number of "keep out" type signage. Some dealers/manufacturers will employ colored porch lights or lanterns to signal customers and/or couriers when the product is ready. Many properties (commonly known as "trap houses") used for sales or manufacturing are rented specifically for those purposes, and may appear vacant for long periods of time, followed by sudden bursts of traffic and activity. A moderately successful dealer or "cook" may have several rented properties throught the city, in attempts to minimize suspicion or surveillance efforts.

The behavior of dealers and buyers are almost always recognizable to the trained eye. People will come and go at odd hours, most remaining at the residence for minutes at a time. Depending on the level of their addiction, some make several of these short visits in a single day or night. These users are usually the "rock bottom" types, and can often be seen carrying electronics, game consoles, powertools or other recently aquired loot to the property to barter. The visitors will be an odd mixture, many unlikely friends/companions of the residents; they may park their vehicles at the end of the street or utilize alleyways and back entrances at the instruction of the dealer. Some couriers travel on foot or on bikes, delivering ingredients or making pickups. If you think the late night bicyclers and pedistrians hauling around backpacks seem a bit suspicious, you're probably right. Everything about these people raises red flags, and rightfully so.

The waste byproducts are other tell-tale signs of meth production. If you see excessive empty packages of cold/allergy tablets, dismantled lithium batteries, gas cylinders or campstove fuel tanks, you may have run into a very dangerous crime scene. Plastic bottles and tubing are also signs of meth refuse, as are red or yellow stained bedsheets and/or coffee filters. Labs commonly utilize lye, ether, acetone and paint thinner as well. The hazarous dump sites usually resemble one big science project gone, wrong which was subsequently and irresponsibly abandoned. As previously stated, these scenes are a serious matter and cause for concern. Every substance used in meth manufacture is highly volatile and contaminous; they all have the potential to poison, start fires or explode. If you think you've come across a lab or illegally dumped, suspicious chemicals; contact our Poison Control Center immediately.

If you witness meth sales or manufacture or would like to submit a tip, please contact San Angelo Crimestoppers, or the San Angelo Police Department. You may also request to speak with someone in the Intel Division/Narcotics Taskforce by calling 325-657-4340. 

Methheads and dealers, I don't particulaly care if you lose your freedom or inadvertently lose your life chasing quick fixes or easy paydays. Your reasons for becoming who you are are purely selfish, as are my reasons for wanting to get rid of you. I don't care what shortcomings or personality flaws caused you to turn to substance abuse, nor do I care that your lack of education, self respect and personal fortitude eventually limited you to a life of drug dealing. What does concern me are low-rent junkies and career criminals who think nothing of ruining and endangering otherwise decent communities for personal gain.

You're a charge on society. In-patient/out-patient treatment programs and long-term halfway house situations cost money. Policing and prosecuting your criminal activites cost money, as does locking you away and monitoring you until when and if you're released. If you've introduced children into your pathetic lives, the state is often stuck with the responsibility of raising them or removing and fostering them, if needed. Sustaining and accomodating addicts and criminals does absolutely nothing to advance humanity. The funds and resources thrown down the drain doing so could be better spent financing the productive and deserving, however the common theme of societal apathy and "turn the other cheek" psychobabble has enabled and exacerbated your behavior, to the detriment of the pubic. If the safety and well being of others is secondary to your financial gain or you're nothing more than a useless, drug addled parasite, society owes you nothing but a secure cage and the cheapest burial arrangements possible. The sooner you reach either, the better off we'll all be.