Kremmling school receives methamphetamine education today

Methamphetamine drug addicts must experience physical transformations not unlike what Jeff Goldblum's character goes through in the classic 1986 hit movie, The Fly. In an experiment gone horribly wrong, he morphs from a decent-looking scientist to a hideous, 185 pound house fly. Gums recede to cartilage, teeth fall out, hair falls out in clumps, skin is dried out and flakes off, eyes become nearly absent from their sockets. Gross.

This is what came to mind when I first saw the meth abuse awareness campaign focusing on the changes in physical appearance the drug causes in a surprisingly short span of time. Before/after pictures highlight the devastating flush into drug abyss in a matter of weeks to a few months.

Lynn Reimer, chemist/criminologist for the North Metro Drug Task Force and owner of the training company MethHeads Inc., will show students these photos as a deterrent during her presentations today at West Grand High School. Her goal is to provide drug awareness and to promote positive development.

The rapid physical and mental deterioration makes sense when one considers information from research that discovered 350 units of dopamine are released in the human brain with cocaine while 1,200 units — almost four times as much — are released with methamphetamine. Use of the drug actually deteriorates receptors of dopamine in the brain, making it difficult to impossible to derive feelings of pleasure without it.

“Methamphetamine causes a release of dopamine all at once,” says Reimer. “After the first use the person is hooked and they never achieve the same high again but they chase after it.”

Reimer preceded today's events with an awareness presentation Sunday that focused on the effects methamphetamine on the community as well as the hazards and chemicals associated with the manufacturing process. She explained that rural communities are not immune, citing numerous similar-sized communities throughout the country that have the problem. She stressed that awareness through education will keep it minimized or more ideally, out all together.

“The more people who know the signs of methamphetamine abuse, manufacturing and distribution the better,” she said. “It sends the message, 'not in our county'.”
To learn more visit www.methrus.com or to arrange education events call Lynn Reimer at (720) 480-0291.