"Heroin kills, you see a lot more overdoses with heroin; but, meth what it does is it creates a super addiction," said Detective First Lt. Brian Bahlau with the Michigan State Police's Tri County Metro, the Jackson Narcotic Enforcement Team and RHINO.
He said more and more people are getting hooked on meth because it's quick and easy to cook in just a 20-ounce or 2-liter pop bottle.
"Anybody could, you know, go grab your ingredients, cook it up. I mean there's a certain amount of danger to it still, but it's not difficult like it used to be," he explained. "It's getting popular among everybody I guess I could say now."
Lt. Bahlau told Fox 47 News his team in Jackson deals with at least three meth lab clean ups a week.
"When you interview these people who are addicted to meth, a lot of people say it's the best high they've ever had. And, a lot of people that do meth are doing several other drugs," he said.
That's where the National Council on Alcoholism steps in.
"You know that treatment is important because the problem is growing," Executive Director Jessica Robinson said.
And, she said, treatment for meth addicts could take up to three years.
"What they present with in terms of issues - major legal issues, financial issues, homelessness, family separation, health issues, like cardiovascular issues, the brain is affected, higher episodes of stroke, mental issues that don't necessarily recover right away," she explained.
So, Robinson told Fox 47 News her team's approach is a focus on a person's overall health.
"All of it is coming from a lack. So, the more we create healthy communities and create robust, you know, the sense of community around people, probably the less you're gonna see the need for drugs," Robinson added.
Typical signs of meth use include a dramatic change in appearance, including skin lesions, weight loss and dental problems.
Help is available .....
The National Council on Alcoholism, Lansing Regional Area
(517) 887 - 0226
info@ncalra.com
Rise Recovery Community
(517) 708-8688
http://www.wai-iam.com
