*Civil Air Patrol*

*Drug Demand Reduction*

*Program*

*Lesson 9*

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*Methamphetamine*

*This Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction Program*

Methamphetamine

PART I

GENERAL Information

LESSON OBJECTIVES: The objective of this lesson is for each member to:

1\. Better understand the differences between methamphetamine,
methamphetamine pills, and crystal methamphetamine.

2\. Be able to spot some of the signs that young people may be involved
in using any one of the three different methamphetamine types.

Desired Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this lesson, each member
will:

1\. Have information on short and long-term use of methamphetamine,
methamphetamine pills, and crystal methamphetamine.

2\. Recognize some of the indications of using either of three
methamphetamine types.

LENGTH OF LESSON: 30 -- 35 minutes

METHOD: Lecture and Discussion

REFERENCES:

1\. *Methamphetamine* (National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA))

2\. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

3\. Slides 11 and 12: Comments contributed by Donald Allen, age 19;
Desmon Allen, age 16; and Demari Allen, age 14; West Columbia, SC

VISUAL AIDS/HANDOUTS/ACTIVITY MATERIALS: 15 Animated Slides

READINGS:

1\. *Methamphetamine* (National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA))

2\. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

WEBSITES: [www.drugfree.org](http://www.drugfree.org/)

> [www.dea.gov]{.underline}

KEYS TO IMPLEMENTING LESSON OBJECTIVES: Familiarize oneself with the
difference between methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, and crystal
methamphetamine to better understand how the three drug types are
related. Become familiar with the dangers and what using any of the
methamphetamine products will do to your body. Also, review applicable
websites for additional information.

PART II

LESSON PLAN

##### 

##### INTRODUCTION

##### SLIDE 1 -- METHAMPHETAMINE

Do you know how to tell if someone is high on any form of
methamphetamine and what form they are using? Methamphetamines, like
some of the other drugs, can become the beginning of brain damage that
you never recover from. Of course, the best way to never face brain
damage or other life altering affects is to never start using any type
of drug and by staying drug free along with associating only with people
and organizations that are drug free.

BODY

SLIDE 2 -- WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE?

Methamphetamine (Meth) is an addictive stimulant that strongly activates
certain systems in the brain. There are three types: Methamphetamine,
Methamphetamine Pills, and Crystal Methamphetamine. All three types of
methamphetamine look different and may affect you in some different way.

SLIDE 3 -- WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Methamphetamine is a crystal-like powdered substance that sometimes
comes in large rock-like chunks. When the powder flakes off the rock,
the shards look like glass, which is another nickname for
methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is usually white or slightly yellow,
depending on the purity. Methamphetamine pills are a combination of the
stimulants methamphetamine and caffeine. They are produced in Burma by
groups such as the Burmese Army and marketed predominantly in Thailand.
Methamphetamine pills are an addictive stimulant drug that strongly
activates certain systems in the brain.

SLIDE 4 -- HOW IT APPEARS

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height="1.707638888888889in"}![](media/image4.jpeg){width="1.7506944444444446in"
height="1.7104166666666667in"}

SLIDE 5 -- WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT A PERSON IS USING
METHAMPHETAMINE?

Methamphetamine can cause: irritability/aggression, anxiety,
nervousness, convulsions, and insomnia.

SLIDE 6 -- SOME SHORT-TERM EFFECTS

Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the methamphetamine
user experiences an intense sensation, called a \"rush\" or \"flash,\"
that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable.
Oral or intranasal use produces euphoria -- a high, but not a rush.
Other effects include irritability/aggression, anxiety, nervousness,
convulsions, insomnia. The faster the absorption, the shorter the high
lasts. Other possible immediate effects include: increased wakefulness
and insomnia; decreased appetite; irritability/aggression; anxiety;
nervousness; convulsions; and heart attack.

SLIDE 7 -- SOME LONG-TERM EFFECTS

Methamphetamine is addictive, and users can develop a tolerance quickly,
needing higher amounts to get high, and going on longer binges. Some
users avoid sleep for three to 15 days while binging. Psychological
symptoms of prolonged meth use are characterized by paranoia,
hallucinations, repetitive behavior patterns, and delusions of parasites
or insects under the skin. Users often obsessively scratch their skin to
get rid of these imagined insects. With continued use or high dosages,
or both can bring on full-blown toxic psychosis (often exhibited as
violent, aggressive behavior). This violent, aggressive behavior is
usually coupled with extreme paranoia. New research shows that those who
use methamphetamine risk long-term damage to their brain cells similar
to that caused by strokes or Alzheimer\'s disease and/or death.

SLIDE 8 -- WHAT IS THE DEA FEDERAL CLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR
METHAMPHETAMINE?

Methamphetamine is listed as a DEA Federal Classification Schedule II
drug, which is based on amount in possession and previous offenses.

SLIDE 9 -- PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION

Penalties for possession of methamphetamine range from the following:

-   Penalties for First Offense: Five years imprisonment, and not more
    than 40 years

-   Penalties for Second Offense: 10 years imprisonment, and not more
    than life imprisonment

SLIDE 10 -- AS A MEMBER OF CAP, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE
WHO IS USING METHAMPHETAMINE?

Since not all CAP units are staffed with the same duty positions, you
should notify one of the following: Deputy Commander for Cadets/Cadet
Programs Officer; Chaplain/Moral Leadership Officer; Unit Commander.

SLIDE 11 -- WHY DO PEOPLE USE METHAMPHETAMINE?

To escape reality. Want to feel good. To be part of the crowd. Something
to do. To fit in with the "in crowd." Don't realize the effects it will
have on your body.

SLIDE 12 -- WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU CAN SAY "NO" TO DRUGS WITHOUT
ISOLATING YOURSELF?

I don't do that. I'm straight. I'm good. Ugh! I'm drug free, man! Nope.

PART III

CONCLUSION

SLIDE 13 -- SUMMARY

As you see, the three forms of methamphetamine have a lot of similar
affects on a person, but yet each one has something different to affect
your body. But all can cause death or very serious health problems. So
why would you want to use any form of methamphetamine? Is using these
types of drugs how you want to live or possibly die? Let your peers
notice you by the good things that you accomplish in life. Only losers
turn to drugs to feel good. I am sure you aren't one of them.

SLIDE 14 -- LESSON PLAN RESOURCES

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is available at
[www.dea.gov](http://www.dea.gov/); and *Methamphetamine*,
*Methamphetamine Pills,* or *Crystal Methamphetamine* (National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)) is available at
[www.drugfree.org](../www.drugfree.org). These are only two of the
numerous websites available to all interested parties that are facing a
decision about life altering use of methamphetamines or to learn about
the various types of drugs.

SLIDE 15 -- DON'T MARCH WITH THESE GUYS, SAY NO TO DRUGS!

Dead Men Walking.