Methamphetamine is a problem

[curly sue]

Hey everyone,

I just got back from the national student nurse's convention where I submitted a resolution to be discussed. It was about increasing education for health care professionals and women about the use and effects of meth during pregnancy. However, it was not accepted due to the fact that the board chair from Florida said the topic was too specific. He said that meth was not a problem in Florida and therefore he needed prrof that it was more of a national problem. I feel that methamphetamine is a national problem. So for those of you who agree with me, what do you think we as future and current RN's do about this growing problem?

[lil'nurse]

I live in wisconsin and this is a huge problem. Recently heard that they either have or are going to terminate parental rights for anyone with a meth lab set up in their home where children are residing. Too many cases of neglect and injury have happened already. I work psych it is very common to see meth users. There lives are a total mess.

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Its such a large problem in the midwest its a topic at almost every EMS/emergency medicine conference. Meth labs dont even have to be in a building they have mobile ones as well. When I last worked EMS 8 yrs ago we were being told to watch what we touched at accident scenes. The be alert don't open any coolers or similar containers lying along the road- they make meth in them. Its also so bad almost everyone I know has a friend/relative/familymember who has/is/were involved.

Where I am currently located in Florida the problem is not meth specificly but kids with ADD and ADHD selling their amphetamine based meds to others. Had a college student tell me this recently.

rj:crying2:

[goodknight]

Here in Arkansas it's a huge problem. They had to create a 'drug task force' specificly to deal with the problem. They have busted several students at area high schools, the teachers and parents are dealing and using. High class families, not just the 'white trash' are into meth. I don't know how anyone could say that "it's not a problem"