“Here is the solution to the American drug problem suggested a couple years back by the wife of our President: Just say no” (Kurt Vonnegut, Bluebeard). Crystal meth users in Hawaii is not a recent problem. It started in the late 1970s, but since then, the number of people smoking “ice” has steadily increased. In 2002, more than 2,730 people sought treatment for their crystal meth addiction (“Drug Epidemic”). Social workers have predicted that if crystal meth use keeps on increasing at the current rate, every person in Hawaii will eventually be affected by the drug, either directly or indirectly. Hawaii’s problem of crystal methamphetamine must be addressed to avoid a continuous increase of drug trafficking organizations. The crystal methamphetamine
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Even a small amount of meth can result in physical effects including “increased wakefulness, physical activity, respiration, decreased appetite, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure and hyperthermia” (“Methamphetamine”). In addition, long-term meth abuse has a negative consequence, including extreme weight loss, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. It also provides a high intense and long-lasting addiction, severe dental problem, withdrawal is excruciating and brain damage that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease (CBSNews). The dental problems caused by a combination of poor nutrition and dental hygiene as well as dry mouth and teeth grinding caused by the drug. Skin sores are the result of picking and scratching the skin to get rid of insects imagined to be crawling under it (National Institute on Drug Abuse). According to Bootie Cosgrove-Mather, CBSNews, “Hungry children sat quietly in a darkened living room, terrified of their abusive father…” None of this mattered to Wayne and Dina Tamura, as long as the couple was high on crystal methamphetamine, they were happy. Wayne Tamura said, “I didn't think about the kids, I didn't want to spend money on diapers. All I wanted to do was smoke.” As recovering addicts, the Tamuras find the allure of the drug is still there, but they are trying to rebuild their lives and be reunited with their five
Even a small amount of meth can result in physical effects including “increased wakefulness, physical activity, respiration, decreased appetite, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure and hyperthermia” (“Methamphetamine”). In addition, long-term meth abuse has a negative consequence, including extreme weight loss, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior. It also provides a high intense and long-lasting addiction, severe dental problem, withdrawal is excruciating and brain damage that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease (CBSNews). The dental problems caused by a combination of poor nutrition and dental hygiene as well as dry mouth and teeth grinding caused by the drug. Skin sores are the result of picking and scratching the skin to get rid of insects imagined to be crawling under it (National Institute on Drug Abuse). According to Bootie Cosgrove-Mather, CBSNews, “Hungry children sat quietly in a darkened living room, terrified of their abusive father…” None of this mattered to Wayne and Dina Tamura, as long as the couple was high on crystal methamphetamine, they were happy. Wayne Tamura said, “I didn't think about the kids, I didn't want to spend money on diapers. All I wanted to do was smoke.” As recovering addicts, the Tamuras find the allure of the drug is still there, but they are trying to rebuild their lives and be reunited with their five