By Sara Strong
Rock County students got a short education on drug use that likely made a lasting impression.
Chuck Matson is a nationally certified trainer in recognizing impairing drugs and is a 16-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department. He speaks to schools, police departments, businesses, health care providers and counselors.
He used specific stories and visual aids to illustrate the ugliness of drug use.
"In all my years of asking drug users what you should know about drugs, they all say 'don't even start,'" Matson said.
"I do less preaching. I think of it more as teaching," Matson said. "I tell the truth. Users lie and dealers lie to try to get you to use. I research drugs because that’s what I do for the courts."
He reminded high school and middle school students that using drugs funds terrorism. Osama bin Laden controls the poppy crops, which make opium and heroin, and the Russian Mafia has almost a monopoly on the ecstasy trade.
Starting with alcohol, Matson explained that drugs change the relationship between the right and left brain, and people can't function as well. He said that younger people with brains that aren't fully grown get worse effects from drugs.
Deaths from drug and alcohol use are not just from overdoses, Matson pointed out. He said AIDS, auto accidents, suicide and homicide are often the result of drug use.
"Drugs work," Matson said. "If you're looking for a way to get high, to get goofy or to get stupid - they work."
When learning about the standard dangers of drug use from parents or school programs, Matson said children may not be getting the full message because drugs are made so much stronger than they were 10 and 20 years ago.
"We grow better corn than we used to, and they grow better marijuana than they did," he said.
Meth
Methamphetamine, or speed, is common in the Midwest after rapidly gaining popularity across the country.
It is a stimulant that sends a message to the brain to produce more dopamine. Hours after ingestion, the feel-good chemical, dopamine, isn't turned back on, and the brain wants more meth to pick up the slack.
Other drugs considered to be heavy stimulants allow the brain to repackage the dopamine, but methamphetamine doesn't. Instead, the brain cells release another enzyme that diminishes the dopamine and kills it off for a long time.
With repeated meth use, there is a chemical change in the brain that lasts a long time and can create a violent, irritable person incapable of feeling happiness or having fun, even months after the meth use stops.
Methamphetamine can be ingested in a number of ways, and symptoms of use include:
increased alertness
paranoia
hallucinations
aggressive behavior
violent behavior
loss of appetite
acne or sores
depression
convulsions
severe weight loss (meth eats away fat and muscle)
putrid body odor
open sores on the skin
liver damage
stroke or heart attack
Meth is made from:
lantern fuel
drain cleaner
battery acid
cold tablets
rock salt
sulfuric and muriatic acid
Matson showed the groups graphic pictures of the results of drug use. A car accident ruined the face of a young model. A man who smoked marijuana laced with PCP shaved his skin off. A man trying to make methamphetamine inhaled anhydrous ammonia, instantly freezing his lungs, and he literally coughed them out of his mouth.
While the outside pictures were startling to the groups, Matson also showed what drugs can do to the inside.
One girl who had been a regular user of ecstacy, or MDMA, had the brain of a 65-year-old woman who had suffered numerous strokes. In years to come she will continue to worsen in her symptoms to include Parkinson disease-like shakes and lose memory like an Alzheimer’s patient.
"These are mostly psychologically addicting drugs. All of a sudden it’s not about feeling good anymore when you use; it's just about feeling normal."
Club drugs
MDMA (ecstasy) is an especially trendy drug for high school and middle school students. The drug produces peaceful feelings and is often called the love drug.
It heats the body up to 108 degrees in some cases and dehydrates the body. Brain damage can occur at 104 degrees.
Many users of MDMA think they are counteracting the dehydration by drinking large quantities of water. But dealers often mix other ingredients that don't allow the body to use the water properly. Matson said people have actually overdosed on water in those cases.
"Sometimes chemists take weeks to actually find what these pills are made of," Matson said.
"Brain surgeons are seeing brain damage from this drug that they've never seen before," he said.
He said most people don't die from ecstasy use but live to pay the consequences. And the brain damage isn't the only risk this type of drug user faces. Matson said sexual predators often go to clubs or seek out groups of people who are using MDMA because they are easy to prey upon.
"And when your guard is down, they might slip you some more drugs. And this isn't just for girls," Matson said. "Pedophiles can go both ways as long as they are a predator on someone."
Seeing teen-agers with pacifiers in their mouths is common if they use MDMA. The drug stimulates nerves that control jaw movement and results in teeth grinding so the pacifier is used for protection. But even with that minor precaution, users frequently end up with no enamel after repeated use and teeth grinding. One night of ecstasy use can even result in bloody gums from so much teeth grinding.
"If you want to make a lot of money, go into dentistry," Matson said, "You'll be getting a lot of business."
Another drug used in club or party settings is GHB, the rape drug. The only way for teens to make sure they aren't ingesting it, Matson said, is to drink from tamper-proof containers and if the containers leave their sight, get a new drink.
GHB is essentially made from a combination of ingredients from drain cleaner and furniture stripper. It produces a drunk-like state that wipes out memory and isn’t reported nearly as much as it's used because of the memory loss.
Matson's main message was that students need to protect themselves from the effects of drug use, because it isn’t a victimless crime.
For parents
Matson also spoke to parents in an evening session. For parents looking for more information, some Web sites may help.
Government links
www.fda.gov
www.clubdrugs.org
www.xcel.net.au/~drugarm/
Drug slang defined
www.addictions.com/slang.htm
General information
www.ravedata.com/rd/event/state/MN.html
www.housecat420.com
www.raves.com