Meth use isn’t worth it Published Sept. 22, 2009 By James Ellis Drug Testing Program manager LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- "Crank," "Amp," "Crystal," "Ice," "Speed" -- all these are slang terms for methamphetamines, powerful stimulant drugs. More than 9.6 million residents of the United States have used methamphetamines at least once in their lifetime and 1.3 million have used the drug in the past year. Methamphetamine use and production was originally confined to the western U.S., but in recent years the drug has become increasingly available in the rest of the country. The Air Force isn't completely immune from this growing problem. In the past two years, two Air Force members have been caught using meth. For those who are still thinking about dabbling in drugs, it's not worth it. Airmen can lose everything they've worked for in one instance of "experimenting." In addition to being illegal and incompatible with military service, using methamphetamines are extremely dangerous. Methamphetamines adversely affect the body in many ways, including hyperthermia, inflammation of the heart lining, risk of heart attack and stroke. In the brain, long-term methamphetamine use can result in a loss of dopamine, a brain neurotransmitter that is critical to good mental health. Also, studies suggest that users of methamphetamines may be at greater risk for developing neuro-degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Additionally, brain imaging studies have found that methamphetamines can cause permanent brain damage similar to what occurs in the brain of a stroke victim or Alzheimer's disease patient. Methamphetamines are among the most addictive substances ever known to mankind. Users can quickly become tolerant to the effects of the drug, leading them to use the drug more frequently and in greater doses to achieve the same high. Addiction is rapid and difficult to fight. Treatment for addiction to methamphetamines may be more difficult than for other drugs, possibly because of the long-term effects of methamphetamines use on the brain and the severe withdrawal symptoms experienced by users. Methamphetamines are not only dangerous for those who choose to experiment with the drug; they harm many innocent people as well. The availability of meth recipes on the Internet have led to the emergence of small "mom and pop" labs. Nearly 95 percent of all the meth labs currently seized by law enforcement are these small labs, typically found in homes or hotel rooms. Children who live in the homes of these small labs are at risk for emotional and physical harm, as well as death. For these reasons, the emergence of methamphetamines as an illicit drug should be a concern. It's the drug testing office's job to help maintain the health and wellness of a fit and ready fighting force and a drug-free Air Force community. To meet goal, the drug testing program must: deter military members, including those members on initial entry on active duty after enlistment or appointment, from abusing illegal drugs and other illicit substances. assist commanders in assessing the security, military fitness, readiness, good order and discipline of their commands. detect and identify those individuals who use and abuse illegal drugs and other illicit substances. provide a basis for action, adverse or otherwise, against a service member based on a positive test result. Drug use is incompatible with military service. The Air Force identifies users and ensures that they are punished. This approach deters drug use by other service members and promotes readiness. A range of actions are available to commanders, including but not limited to administrative actions, nonjudicial actions under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice and judicial actions such as courts-martial. By maintaining a drug-free Air Force, the base maintains the highest caliber individuals capable of providing effective combat airlift.