A survey of 4,000 adolescents in Idaho found that 20% believe using methamphetamine can make a person happy and help them to lose weight. Nearly a third said that they had been offered meth, which can be made in home laboratories by using over-the-counter cold medicines.

Meth releases chemicals in the pleasure centers of the brain, causing a user to feel temporarily happy and/or euphoric. Over time, using meth can destroy dopamine receptors, making it impossible to feel pleasure. These receptors can heal, but some research indicates that meth causes permanent damage to cognitive abilities.

Officials from the Idaho Meth Project are using the results of the survey to design an anti-meth program for their state.

SUWS wilderness programs have bee helping troubled teens for over 25 years. Located in Idaho, SUWS can help your troubled teen too.

Labels: drug_use, meth, research