Series: Shining a light on drugs – Episode 6: Crystal meth and methamphetamine
Former addict and owner of Wings of Inspiration Sober House, Anthea Da Costa, takes a look at drugs, and the negative effects they have on a person’s mind, body and soul. Episode 6 is about crystal meth and methamphetamine.
The Herald recently spoke to Anthea Da Costa from Eike Park about the dangers of drug abuse.
Anthea, who visited Randfontein recently for a charity event, has been the owner of the Wings of Inspiration Sober House in Helderkruin for the past four years. She has researched multiple drugs, their effects and how they negatively affect a person’s mind, body and soul.
Crystal meth and methamphetamine are the topics for this week.
“Crystal meth and methamphetamine are usually inhaled, smoked or injected, and low doses are available in pill form,” Anthea said.
She added that crystal meth is a form of methamphetamine that usually resembles small pieces of glass, or blue-white rocks. “It is also known as ice, crystal or glass.
“Crystal meth is one of the hardest drugs to treat, because you usually get hooked from the first time that you try it,” Anthea explained.
According to Anthea, short-term effects usually include disturbed sleep patterns, nausea, delusions of power, aggression and it can also cause convulsions leading to death.
“Some of the long-term effects include an increased heart rate and blood pressure, kidney and lung damage. Users may suffer brain damage, including memory impairment and an increasing inability to grasp abstract thoughts. If one does recover, the person is usually subject to memory gaps and mood swings,” Anthea concluded.
