Koosh
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2007
- Messages
- 752
Crystal meth is worse than heroin
November 4, 2007
TWO ice users cause more damage to the community through violence, crime and demand on the health system than 50 heroin users, a survey of drug users has found.
But young people on the streets trying the drug were unaware of the devastating side effects of ice - or crystal methamphetamine - and wrongly believed it was a safe alternative to heroin.
Outreach organisation Open Family Australia conducted in-depth interviews with 26 ice users and their families, social workers and doctors.
Chief executive Sue Renkin said the ice epidemic threatened to impose an even greater burden on the health system than heroin, as the drug damages the heart, brain, kidneys and vascular system and causes debilitating hallucinations, violent psychotic episodes, paranoia, the desire to self-harm, extreme weight loss, insomnia and dental problems.
"The community can suffer seemingly more drastic consequences from two ice addicts than 50 heroin users who might go largely unnoticed," she said.
"There is a real risk of increasing demand on the already overcrowded mental health system."
The study found most users administered the drug at least weekly and 77percent also used heroin. Most were unemployed; more than half were homeless.
They "switched" to ice after a shortage of good-quality heroin as ice was widely available and relatively affordable.
Ms Renkin said young people on the streets were attracted to ice, believing it was more widely accepted than heroin since it was mostly used in a social setting and was initially smoked, removing the "junkie stigma" of heroin.
Some believed ice was a safe alternative to heroin, were unaware of its long-term side effects, and had the misapprehension that, unlike heroin, ice could not kill them. Participants in the study had side effects including:
■ Hearing voices;
■ Formication - the sense of bugs crawling under the skin causing compulsive picking;
■ Becoming highly suspicious of others including family, friends, police and strangers;
■ Almost a quarter suffered symptoms of psychosis.
Recent research suggests one in 10 Australians has tried ice at least once.
Click Here
November 4, 2007
TWO ice users cause more damage to the community through violence, crime and demand on the health system than 50 heroin users, a survey of drug users has found.
But young people on the streets trying the drug were unaware of the devastating side effects of ice - or crystal methamphetamine - and wrongly believed it was a safe alternative to heroin.
Outreach organisation Open Family Australia conducted in-depth interviews with 26 ice users and their families, social workers and doctors.
Chief executive Sue Renkin said the ice epidemic threatened to impose an even greater burden on the health system than heroin, as the drug damages the heart, brain, kidneys and vascular system and causes debilitating hallucinations, violent psychotic episodes, paranoia, the desire to self-harm, extreme weight loss, insomnia and dental problems.
"The community can suffer seemingly more drastic consequences from two ice addicts than 50 heroin users who might go largely unnoticed," she said.
"There is a real risk of increasing demand on the already overcrowded mental health system."
The study found most users administered the drug at least weekly and 77percent also used heroin. Most were unemployed; more than half were homeless.
They "switched" to ice after a shortage of good-quality heroin as ice was widely available and relatively affordable.
Ms Renkin said young people on the streets were attracted to ice, believing it was more widely accepted than heroin since it was mostly used in a social setting and was initially smoked, removing the "junkie stigma" of heroin.
Some believed ice was a safe alternative to heroin, were unaware of its long-term side effects, and had the misapprehension that, unlike heroin, ice could not kill them. Participants in the study had side effects including:
■ Hearing voices;
■ Formication - the sense of bugs crawling under the skin causing compulsive picking;
■ Becoming highly suspicious of others including family, friends, police and strangers;
■ Almost a quarter suffered symptoms of psychosis.
Recent research suggests one in 10 Australians has tried ice at least once.
Click Here
