Stop Meth in Florida




	Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is Methamphetamine? A. Methamphetamine is an addictive synthetic central nervous system stimulant. It is used for both medicinal and illegal purposes. Physicians, in formulations such as Desoxyn to treat ADD/ADHA, prescribe pharmaceutical methamphetamine. Illegal methamphetamine comes in a variety of forms and is smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injected. Abusers report feelings of high energy, confidence, and euphoria. When abused, methamphetamine can be very addictive, and difficult to stop using. It has become one of the world's most significant illicit drugs. Q. What other names are used to refer to methamphetamine? A. Some common street names for meth are speed, crank, chalk, and go-fast. Another, more potent, form of meth resembling ice or crystals is called ice, crystal, glass, quartz or Tina. Q. What is Florida doing to stop methamphetamine production, trafficking and use? A. The state of Florida is working toward strengthening laws to combat the harmful personal and social effects caused by the manufacture, use and distribution of methamphetamine. In calendar year 2001, 28 clandestine methamphetamine laboratories were seized. In calendar year 2005, 338 clandestine methamphetamine laboratories were seized as reported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The Florida Panhandle and North Florida counties have become the epicenter of clandestine laboratory production, particularly Bay County and Broward County on the east coast is close behind. The Office of Drug Control has watched with grave concern as the scourge of Methamphetamine abuse, addiction and homemade production spread from West to East across the continental United States during the past eight years. Virtually unknown as a major drug problem in Florida when Governor Bush was first inaugurated in 1999, Meth has since come to the focus of law enforcement and health experts as a potentially grave threat to Floridians. The ODC has, under the Governor’s leadership, undertaken many aggressive steps so that the harmful effects of Meth production and abuse do not reach the levels unfortunately seen in many other states, to include: The 2003 Statewide Methamphetamine Strategy (currently being updated) Pseudoephedrine restrictions F.S. 893.315 (HB 1347) and HB1325 Florida Statewide Methamphetamine Working Group Training for First Responders & Child Protective Services through Drug Endangered Children (“DEC”) tailored Curriculum Florida Methamphetamine Guidelines posted on Florida DEC website Creation of the website www.floridadec.com Additional resources for local law enforcement to deal with Clandestine labs