Here are a handful of ingredients that were displayed at the Riverside High School auditorium during a methamphetamine presentation by Greer and Greenville County law enforcement officers.
The message on the dangers and warning signs of meth users and producers was delivered to a vacant auditorium at Riverside High School. All of Greer was invited.
There on the stage at Riverside High School’s auditorium last Monday for all to see were the ingredients needed to make methamphetamines, meth for short.
Imagine your children, students or neighbors cooking a batch of ingredients that include:
Alcohol
Gasoline additives/rubbing alcohol
Ether
Benzene
Paint thinner
Freon
Acetone
Chloroform
Camp stove fuel
Anhydrous ammonia
Red phosphorous
Toluene (found in brake cleaner)
Drain cleaner
Muriatic acid
Batter acid
Lithium for batteries
Ephedrine
Cold tablets
Diet aids
Iodine
Bronchodilators
Energy boosters
Iodine crystals
Now imagine the same ingredients ingested in a finished product such as a powder (generally a white, pinkish or yellowish color), pills (either tablets or capsules of various colors) or in crystal shapes like that have the appearance of ice or rock candy.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s department in conjunction with the Greer Police Department offered a 45-minute presentation followed by a question and answer session to educate parents and students on the liabilities of making, selling and ingesting meth.
Interestingly law enforcement also gave some excellent examples of what to watch for to determine if your children were cooking or ingesting meth. There were telltale physical signs of usage or manufacturing meth. Some not so pleasant photos and graphics depicted what happens when a meth lab explodes in the house or apartment next to you.
Unfortunately, it fell on deaf ears. Greer City Councilwoman Judy Albert was the only person who attended the seminar other than law enforcement. There were no parents, students, teachers or administrators from any educational source. No one.
Deputies described how meth creates the highest high imaginable. They also showed how the body and mind deteriorated with continued use. Dopamine, the chemical in the brain, is not a friend with meth. When the chemicals are combined they literally “fry” the brain.
There is good news. Steve Owens of Greer City Communications filmed the complete presentation. Greenville and Greer delivered the message. It’s there for the viewing at: http://www.cityofgreer.org.
We commend the video to your attention.
UPDATE: Meth presentation video now available online. Click here to view >>