Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_system
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meningitis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meth#Addiction
http://www.allpositiveoptions.com/APOMeth22.htm
http://www.kci.org/meth_info/msg_board_posts/030106/How%20much%20does%20meth%20cost.htm
http://www.amiright.com/parody/80s/thepolice53.shtml
http://www.drug-rehabs.com/addiction-treatment-cost.htm
http://www.treatment-centers.net/treatment-directory/australia.html

The Meth/Drugs Quiz

1. Name 3 ways of intaking meth
2. What is the punishment for the 2nd offense with drugs at JIS?
3. Describe in detial how meth is taken through injection
4. True or false: Methamphetamine has no medical use
5. Describe in detail what a recreational drug user is
6. What percentage of American high school seniors have tried meth atleast once in their life?
7. True or false: Constant use of meth causes irregular growth
8. True or false: A long term effect of using meth is rapid tooth decay
9. Is meth addictive?
10. Describe in detial how meth is taken using an empty lightbulb

The History Of Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine was first synthesised in Japan in 1893, by chemist Nagayoshi Nagai. Cystallized methamphetamine was then synthesized by Akira Ogata in 1919. An the related compund amphetamine was synthesised in Germany in 1887.

One of Methamphetamines early uses was dring World War II, it was given to German and Japanese troops to make them feel invinsible, in order to make them more effective on the battlefield. It was also given to Adolf Hilter from his person physician, to treat depression and fatigue.

In the 1950s there was a rise in the legal prescription of methamphetamine to the American Public. The 1960s saw the start of significant use, and this is when people started to produce methamphetamine at home for personal use. The recreational use of the drug peaked in the 1980s

In 1983 laws were passed in the U.S. banning the possesion of trafficing of methamphetamine. This law was then passed in Canada 3 years later. From then on the American government has been tyring to eliminate the country of Meth Labs, but are unsuccessful, due to the amount of home made meth labs. The quest for total elimination of meth still continues today.

Classes Of Drugs

There are 7 classes of Drugs:

• Hallucinogens: There are 3 types of Hallucinogens, psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants. Hallucinogens can effect a person thoughts, emotions and consciousness.
• Herbal Highs: These drugs are usually sold in Head Shops and although they are legal, it doesn't generally mean they are safe
• Depressants: Depressants diminish a persons energy by usually depressing the body's nerve system. Barbituates, sedatives, alcohol and meprobamate are depressants
• Stimulants: Stimulants are drugs that make a person feel more alert or energized, cocaine and meth are stimulants
• Solvents: When solvents are inhaled they have a similar effect to alcohol, they make a perosn feel dizzy or euphoric. Gas lighter refils and aerosols are examples of solvents
• Narcotics: Narcotics produce feelings of happiness and sleepiness. Heroin and morphine are narcotics
• Sedatives: Sedatives depress the body's nerve system, causing the body to calm down or have a sleeping effect.

Local Rehab Centers

In Asia it is very difficult to find proper rehab treatment to counter a drug addiction, however Australia has many suitable rehab center, and is still quite close to Asia.

Here are a few examples of good quality rehab centers:

• Healing Haven -http://www.treatment-centers.net/treatment-directory/australia/healing-haven.html
• The Sanctuary at Bryon Bay - http://www.treatment-centers.net/treatment-directory/australia/the-sanctuary-at-byron-bay.html
• GATS Counseling & Treatment Services - http://www.treatment-centers.net/treatment-directory/australia/gats-counselling-amp-treatment-services.html
• The Radiant Group - http://www.treatment-centers.net/treatment-directory/australia/the-radiant-group.html

The average cost of a drug treament is US$1433 ( Rp14330000) however high quality drug treatment can rage between US$3800-US$7400 (Rp38000000 - Rp74000000)

My Addiction

Although I'm not addicted to drugs, I am addicted to many things. For example, I spend too much time on a computer game called World of Warcraft. However this addiction is different to a regular drug addiction, I am not physically addicted or phycologically addicted I simply play it because it is fun. I do though get carried away when playing WoW and usually play for up to 4-6 hours, but it is natural for people to get carried away when taking part if fun activites, so it cannot really be called an addiction.

However over the course of this project i have learned in depth about a drug addiction and how it builds. I have that a drug addiction can be much worse my computer game addiciton is it can escalate to a point were a person simply cannot function without the drug and it is on their mind 24/7. A drug addiction is also much worse than a computer game addiction since I only pay once per month, the price never varies, were as in a drug addiction the person's addiction wil increase meaning they have to take more and more drugs to soothe their nerves forcing to buy and spend more money on drugs. Eventually financially crippling to person. So I fully understand how difficult and tedious breaking a drug habbit can be.

Drug Movies

Over the past decade many movies have been made with a theme of drugs, and some have been made showing the use or influence of Methamphetamine

• Rules of Attraction: This movies stars Jessica Biel and James van der Beek. It takes place at a college in New Hampshire, it is about a very eventfull college party, that takes some odd turns
• Trainspotting: This movie stars Ewan McGregor. It takes place in Edinburgh, and is about a person who tries to break a drug habit, but along the way expereince many twists

How To Help A Drug User

If I know a person who is misusing drugs but doesn't want to stop, my first instict would be to leave them alone since it's their choice, but my consience would force me to take action. Firstly, I would talk to the person about the side effects of the drug and how it can cause harm to the body. I would also show him ad's about not using the drug, in an attempt to not want to use the drug anymore. If it apears that the person really does not want to stop using the drug I would force him to talk to a counselour or even call the police, since the person cause greatly suffer if nothing is done.

What Would I Do?

Here are the steps i would take if one of my freinds were addicted to drugs

• Convince the freind to talk to a counselour or his parents
• Make sure they find help "rehab center"
• Help my friend through the time
• Dont let him give up
• After they are better ill stay away from the friend incase the freind becomes addicted again

If one of my freinds were addicted to drugs, i would try to become as little involved as i could, since I don't want to be involved since some of the blame could go to me and I also wouldn't want to be influenced by the freind into taking drugs. Lastly i would stay away from the person after he becomes better incase the situation happens again.

The Family Response

My family is deeply rooted on their values and beliefs. The knowledge that one member is addicted to drugs would affect our family emotionally, morally and financially. Every member of the family will do their best to make sure that the addict will undergo rehad, and every memeber would take important time from their time to make sure the addict does not experience a relapse, this would affect the family's daily routine, drastically changing the family's life. Being a close knit family we tend to handle probelms in a discreet manner meaning the comunnity would not find out and not be affected, making sure the family's reputation is not ruined.

Drug Free Methods

Since staying drug free is very important to me, I have many natural ways to release endorphins.

One of these methods are playing golf. Playing golf can be very relaxing and fun to play. It is even more fun when I play with others since I get to socialize and laugh, and laughing is a very good method of naturaly releasing endorphins

Another natural method of releasing endorphins is watching TV. When I watch TV my favourite kinds of shows are comedy, not only are these entertaining they are halarious aswel. Watching TV makes and keeps my happy, naturaly releasing endorphins.

Finally, I like to listen to music. For me listening to the music I like can be very pleasureable and almost as fun as golf. When listening to music i can continue for hours, music always keeps me happy, meaning it is also an endorphin releasing activity.

Ads About Meth

http://youtube.com/watch?v=txcC_kddo1E
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p_p_LlxZBmM

The Meth Song

Title: All The Meth You Bake
Artist: Ben Schuldt

Chorus:

All the meth you bake

Every move you make

Every law you break

Every Drug you take

We'll be watching you

Every single day

Every word you say

Every game you play

Every night you stay

We'll be watching you

This song is a parody from the original song by the band "The Police", the song was originally titiled "Every Breath You Take"

This song talk about how bad drugs are, especially meth, and that if you use it you will eventualy get caught no matter what.

Full Lyrics: http://www.amiright.com/parody/80s/thepolice53.shtml

The Punishment Of Drugs In School

There are two main ways of catching students with drugs. One way is the random drug test, in high school it is manditory for a student to take a drug test when asked, in this test hair is cut from the student and tested. The second way is to simply walk in on a student in possesion of drugs. Finally, there can be a report from a student talking about another student taking drugs.

The punishments for drugs possesion in JIS are quite severe. On the first offense, the student is suspended for 2-6 days, is given counseling by the school counselour and a conference with the parents. On the second offense the student is recomeneded for explusion. In this case the student can either withdraw from the school or get expelled by the school.

Drug Policy In School

The school's policy is strictly against all drugs.

How was the character addicted?

In the story Bob was psychologically addicted to the drug since he enjoyed the high feeling of the drug and that is what he got addicted to. Eventually Bob could no longer feel any natural pleasure, so his only choice was to feel the high from the drug.

My Imaginary Drugy

Bob is boy, he is 16 years old and goes to school in Jakarta International School. He was born in Mexico which makes him Latino. Bob has many hobies, he loves to talk to his freinds, play basketball and baseball, however he hates school. He thinks school is a waste of time, but some how he manages to keep 4.0 GPA. Many people question his amazing grades, but the truth is, Bob cheats, he manages to copy on every single test, exam or project he does and nobody finds out. During his free time Bob likes to eat burritos and tortillas, and he is affiliated with the posh group of school since he is also a very rich kid. His dad owns Taco Bell and Playboy. His parents also grew up in a well mannered, posh society, and because of Bob's money and freinds he has a very high self esteem. However this all changes when Bob's discovers drugs.

It was the first day of school, and Bob had just entered, the first thing he saw was a new face. This person had just arrived in JIS so Bob decided to show him around. Over time the two became very close freinds and one day the new kid ask Bob to come over to his house. Little this Bob know that his new freind was a meth addict. At the freinds house, Bob found the new kid's syringes and asked what they were. The freind quickly explained that the syringes are fun to use. So eventually Bob tried them. Having not paid attention in class Bob didn't know that they were drugs, and since he liked using the syringes so much, he got addicted. Slowly his life fell apart, his parents started to notice a change in him, money and valuables started to disapear around the house... and finally they caught him taking the drugs. After this, his parents kicked him out of the house, and up to today Bob lives on the streets. Roaming around looking for meth.

The Drug Users

A drug abuser is some one who takes a drug for the right reason however they usually take too much. Drug abusers usually take over-the-counter drugs or percription drugs. For example: If a man has trouble sleeping he can go to a doctor and the doctor will percribe him a sleeping pill. However the doctor would usually tell him to take once a night only when he has trouble sleeping. This man would then take the pill every night, even when he has no trouble sleeping, and will usually tae 3 or 4. At this point the man is abusing the drug.

A drug misuser is some one who takes the drug for the wrong reason. In this case people usually take a drug, that has a medical use and use it to get a high or an energy boost. This is common with pills such as meth or pain killers. For example: A person is feeling depressed and is looking for something to make him feeling energized or something to make him high. So to do this the person finds a Methamphetamine pill, which is usually ment for people who are working late at night to stay awake. This pill makes him energetic so that he feels invinsible. Although this drug benefited him then, he was misusing the drug.

A recreational drug user is some one who uses the drug to have a good time. These people usually use illegal drugs, and simply use them to get high. For example: a person could say to him self "I'm going to get high this weekend", this person is not using the drug because he is addicted or because he needs it, he is simply using it because he wants to. After using the drug, the person will probably not think about it for a while, until he decides to "get high" again. In this senario the person is using the drug recreationally.

Drug Punishment

Around the world the consequence for selling or trafficing drugs can be very severe. Many people also think that the laws in Asia can be bent so that drug dealers can get away, that is not the case.

In Singapore, the punishment for seling or trafficing drugs is almost certian death. It doesn't matter whether you are selling or simply in possession of an illegal drug, the person will be sentence to execution. This was the case with an Australian male in 2006, the man was caught in possession of drugs in the Singapore airport and was imediatley put on deathrow. Despite the arguments from the mans embassy that he was not technically inside Singapore, and that he was simply transiting through the airport, the man was not set free.

In Indonesia the law is the same: deathrow for any drug users or trafficers, however the laws are not as strict. For example: last year 5 men were sentenced to death but none of the them were executed. Also many law breakers are pardoned, for example: possession of marijuana can lead up to 20 years of prison instead of death, and light amounts of ecstasy, meth or herione can lead to 1-5 years in prison.

Statistics

• As you can see from the graph above, in 2006 85% of all meth users were between 15 and 29 years old
• Over 8% of high school seniors in the U.S. said that they tried meth atleast once, however this statistic is not effective in measuring the amount of teen users, since meth users could have drop out of school before their senior year
• The meth high lasts for 6 - 12 hours and 50% of the drug is removed from the body in 12 hours
• It costs a government $2000 to clean up a meth lab
• Meth lab seizures have increased by 577% in the U.S. since 1993
• Over 12 million Americans have tried meth once in their life and 1.5 million are regular users
• The amount of meth caused deaths increased by 17% in 2006 (Washington only)

Medical Use

Although meth is usually sold as an illegal drug, it is also used for medical reasons. For example pills are given to students who have ADD or ADHD, this helps them to focus in class since it calms them down. It this use the meth acts as a depressant.

Effects

Short Term:

• Increased energy and attentiveness



• Diarrhea, nausea



• Excessive Sweating



• Loss of appetite



• Insomnia



• Irritability



• Panic Attacks



• Talkativeness

Long Term:

• Drug Craving



• Weight Loss



• Depression



• Rapid Tooth Decay "Meth Mouth"

Withdrawal Effects:

• Anhedonia (Inability to feel any natural pleasure or joy)



• Paranohia



• Constants Chills

Costs:

U.S. - $80 per gram (Rp. 800,000)

Indonesia - $ per gram (Rp. 950,000)

Is Meth A Stimulant Or Depressant?

Meth is a stimulant, since it energizes the person. The drug is used to keep people awake, give people more energy or simply make a person feel stronger. However it is also used as a depressant, since pills are given to ADD, or ADHD people to calm them down and increase their focus.

Is Meth Addictive?

Yes meth is extreemly addictive. Initially, this drug is taken recreationally or for a proper use, such as to stay awake to work or to gain energy. However over time people become highly dependent on this drug, meaning they cannot live without the energy boost. Even after they have finsihed rehab, the person experiences a withdrawal syptom were they cannot feel anymore pleasure or joy, so they are forced to resume meth.

How Do People Take Meth?

There are many ways to intake this drug, firstly there is the pill form, these are usually manufactured in Asia, mostly in Laos, Thailand and Burma. Secondly there is the injection method, this is when the meth cystal is crushed into small powder, mixed with water, put into a syringe then injection into a vain or artery (this is probably the most dangerous way, since sharing needles can transfer AIDS). Thirdly, there is the smoking method. There are two ways to do this method, one way is inserting a small portion of crushed cystals into an empty lightbulb, lighting a match or lighter underneath the fat part of the lightbulb (were the cystals should be), then inhaling the smoke that comes out of the lightbulb opening. Another way is placing a small amount of cystals into a glass pipe ( like the one shown above), then lighting a flame underneath the fat part of the pipe (were the cystals should be) and inhaling the smoke coming out of the pipe opening. Fourthly there is the snorting method. This is when the meth cystals are grounded into powder (similar to the injecting method), then snorted. Lastly there is the parachuting method for intaking meth. In this method the meth is wrapped it toilet or facial tissue then swalled, This delays the decent into the stomach, however a user must be cautious when using this method since an overdose is common.

Street Names

Since this drug has an long and hard-to-pronounce name, it is given many street names to make it easier for people to identify it. In America and Europe, this drug is usually called Ice, Crank (this name was made famous by the motorcycle gang "The Hells Angels" since they used to smuggle meth inside their crank compartments in the bike), Meth, White Pony, or Speed and in Asia this drug is mostly refered to as Shabu, Bato, Batak or Batu Kilat.

Addiction

Addiction is when a person is enslaved to a habit or practice to something that is habit-forming. This is when you are highly dependent on something that could drastically change your lifestyle. This is very common with the abuse of meth. However the main reason people become addicted to meth, is the hyperstimulative pleasure, from intaking the drug, which people can become hooked to, and eventually inable to lead a daily life without constantly yearning for the soothing feeling. Fortunately this addiction is not fatal and can easy be withdrawn from, however like all addiction, relapse is common

Why Do People Use Drugs?

There are many reasons why people use drugs, firstly people can use performance enchancing drugs (like steroids) to perform better in a sport, or simply gain more muscle. People use stimulants to get a rush from the drug, this is when they are depressed, tired or simply in the mood for exitment, an example of these are caffine or methamphetamine. This is the case with meth, since it is used for people to gain more energy, for example: when students need to study late at nite and stay focused, or for truckers who are driving late into the night or even soldiers or kamakazi warriors to feel invinsible to they fight better.

Drug Effects On The Brain

As you can see Meth has a large effect on the brain, firty it effects the Limbic System, which controls the emotions and behaviour of the person, meaning a constant user of meth would experience frequent moods swings, and unusual behaviour. Meth also effects the hippocampus which plays a major role in both long and short term memory, meaning constant users of meth would frequently suffer from memory loss, possibly causing them to perform poorly at school or at their job.

About Me

Hey my name is Tiger, there isn't really a nickname for that ... because Tiger is just the shortest you can get without making sound wierd, or if you like you can call me "The Tiger". Well as you can see from my picture, I'm the worlds greatest golf player. However the 2nd most important thing in my life is staying drug free.