Part A - Society for Public Health Education

Information SheetHelping Communities CombatClandestine Methamphetamine LaboratoriesPart A: An Educational Toolkit for Health EducatorsInformation onSchool Officials and ParentsMethamphetamine’s Impact on School Officials and ParentsMethamphetamine (meth), a highly addictive synthetic stimulant, is a seriousthreat facing youths throughout the United States. Families and communities maybe devastated, and young lives may be ruined by the human health, environmental,social, and economic costs associated with meth. To address the meth issue amongchildren and young adults, school officials and parents need to get involved. Schoolofficials play an important role in meth (and other substances of abuse) preventioneducation, detection of meth use and abuse by students, and support of youngpeople victimized by meth use within their families. Parents or caregivers play avital role in influencing their children’s choices around the use of meth and otherdrugs. It is important for schools and parents to work as a team to support eachother in their anti-meth and broader antidrug messages.Key Information Relevant to School Officials and ParentsWhy Someone Would Use Meth© 2007 Society for Public Health EducationIn general, meth users take the drug for the euphoria it offers. Some also take it toboost their immediate energy as they cope with multiple demands. High schoolstudents who hear that it will increase their productivity may start using meth asthey work or study for long hours. People, especially girls, may try meth to loseweight, and boys may try it to increase their sexual energy.Human Health CostsMeth can lead to irreversible brain damage, strokes, memory loss, psychoticbehavior, heart damage, extreme anorexia, HIV transmission, cardiovascularcollapse, and even death. Meth users often develop ugly sores on their bodies fromPart A: An Educational Toolkit for Health Educators49