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Texas Speed



x57
Texas Speed: Meth basics
10/30/2005 4:00 PM
By: James Keith

Recovering meth addict Cliff said the drug consumed him.  
Speed, crank, glass or ice -- no matter what you call it, it's all the same - methamphetamine.

"If you snort it, it's more about energy. If you smoke it, it's the energy and the high. Once you start IV drug using it's all about the high," recovering meth addict Cliff said.

The high can last up to 12 hours. Meth is an extremely addictive stimulant.

"How would you describe that feeling? Euphoria. From the tip of your head to the tip of your toes," Cliff said.

"I put everything thing else to the side. I gave up my marriage, didn't really care about my daughter, passed her off to my mom for a while," recovering meth addict Debbie said.

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Photo galleries
More Information

The Texas Department of Public Safety supplied these pictures of meth labs, users and meth-making supplies.
Meth gallery 1
Meth gallery 2

"You only had one thing on your mind, everything else was secondary," Cliff said.

Getting off the drug is not easy.

"Many people, the very first time they try it, they instantly like it and there is a tendency to go back for more," Dennis Barkway of Austin Recovery said.

"Meth is a killer. I can't express how destructive it is. There are not enough words for it, it can cause a lot of damage," Debbie said.

"It's probably the most dangerous one out there," Joe Millhouse of the Texas Department of Public Safety's Narcotics Service said.

Law enforcement groups are overwhelmed with meth cases.

 WATCH THE VIDEO
More Information
Meth mess

Recovering addicts and aid workers talk about the highly addictive drug.



The drug has been around for decades, but its popularity seems to be greater than ever. Police see labs popping up all across Central Texas.

"There really isn't a targeted area to say this is the area, geographical area, that meth is a problem. It's across the board," Mark Sawa of the Travis County Sheriff's Office narcotics division said.

Travis County doesn't keep count of meth labs busted.

But in rural areas, like Bastrop County lab production is steady. Last year alone, six labs were uncovered.

"These people feel they can get in the rural area of our county, buy some small property, get out where no one can see them. We're getting more of that," Bastrop County Sheriff Richard Hernandez said.

Experts say meth is the second-most commonly used drug in the world behind marijuana.

More Information
Online resources
More Information

Central Texas Area Narcotics Anonymous

South Central Texas Area Cocaine Anonymous

Austin Recovery
(512) 821-1730
(800) 373-2081



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Weather Center
daytime
11/21/2009
Mid 60s
evening
11/21/2009
Near 60
overnight
11/22/2009
Upper 40s

Troubled Waters
News 8's Jenna Hiller explored the troubled waters in Central Texas and traveled down the Colorado River in search of information. Click on the links to watch, read and interact.

Part 1: Regional cooperation drying out
Part 2: Texas rice farmer takes on water wars
Part 3: Security of supply saturates perception
Part 4: Bad news travels near and far
Part 5: Bad news travels near and far

Where does your water come from?

Call today for a free termite inspection.

For News 8's continuing coverage of the Fort Hood mass shootings visit our Fort Hood Shooting section, watch video from reporters in the field and press conferences with officials, and view our photo galleries: The Day Of The Shootings | The Memorial | The Victims
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