Donate to the Colorado Meth Project at coloradomethproject.org

If you know anyone struggling with addiction call 1-800-662-4357 for help

Reading and educating yourself- coloradomethproject.org

1. Doctors are STILL prescribing drugs like adderall synthesized similar to meth, even to little kids.

2. Meth abuse has NOT made any big headlines in Colorado

3. A LOT of drug/ rehab programs are expensive and most people who struggle with meth abuse also commonly struggle with homelessness

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/recovering-meth-addicts-share-stories-of-recovery-980766275941

I interview Hannah she works at Jana Briggs counseling, she’s a consoler who’s worked with many addicts.

1. What made you want to educate yourself and others about the dangers of drugs? – I got an internship at a treatment facility.
2. Specifically, what’s your experience with meth abuse in Colorado? – I have not worked with meth abuse in Colorado but worked for over 2 years in Missouri. I have worked with people in recovery in Colorado.
3. How would you say meth is different from another other drug especially when it comes to teenagers? – Meth is different than another drug like cannabis or nicotine because it takes a different path to addiction. It is not something that you intend to do necessarily and is really hard to come down from. Not that any drug is recommended.
4. Why is it so popular? – Some people do it for fun, others escalate to doing it. It is cheaper to produce and buy. Generally it is believed to be a great escape when life is hard or when you are trying to rebel. It sneaks up on you. Also it has a fast absorption rate so you feel the effects quickly.
5. When working with people with addiction what’s your goal?– To help them find new coping skills, resolve past issues, and find a new spark for the future without their drug of choice.

The number of overdose deaths in Colorado due to methamphetamine more than doubles from 2013 to 2017. ( leg.colorado.gov )

An estimated 27,000 adolescents, 95,000 young adults. And 73,000 adults used meth for the first time in 2017, (leg.colorado.gov )

1.34% of adults between the ages of 18-25 (2017) are meth users. (Leg.colorado.gov)

More Coloradans died from meth overdoses in 2018 than ever before (coloradohealthinstitue.org)

Drug poisoning statistics for meth have rose from less than 50 in 2010 to 318 in 2017- Very close to opioids at 349. (Coloradohealthinstitute.org)

When you think about Colorado, you picture the colorful mountains, ski resorts, and the beautiful mile high city. But you don’t think about the silent killer of the youth: Meth. Meth overdoses in Colorado have surpassed rates of heroin for the first time in decades. Meth hasn’t made any big headlines, been put out there, etc., like the opioid crisis is. Even though “meth possession arrests outnumber cocaine and her ion arrests combined in the city.” (CPR.org). Colorado is one of the top 10 states for meth use, and increasing every year. In 2013, over 3% of high schools claimed that they’ve tried meth. This number looks small however, over 80% of people who’ve used meth relapse.
So what is Meth and why is it so addictive? Meth or methamphetamine is a drug that was used to help with ADHD. Now a street drug, that comes in through the New Mexico border and from Mexican cartels. You can still see similar formulas and traces of it in new drugs like adderall. Meth can be smoked, swallowed (pills), sported and injected. Meth is very addictive for a few reasons. Like every other street drug, like heroin, when drug users use it they get a very different, certain high and after they come down they crave that high again. The thing about street drugs though, especially meth, your NEVER going to get the same high as your first high which makes it so dangerous and addictive to the young population. Another reason is the high you get fades really quickly and start what’s known as a “binge and crash” pattern. People will give up sleep and food for this drug, then hit a very hard comedown known as a crash.