‘Faces of Meth’ ad a shocking look at drug use
The “Faces of Meth” — before and after police mugshots of drug users that depict the effects of methamphetamine on the human body — debuted eight years ago this month. It has aged a lot better than the folks using the drug.
A new ad has just been released and the pictures will horrify you. I’ve used one of the least shocking photos at right.
Many Americans learned most of what they know about meth from the TV crime drama “Breaking Bad.” In the acclaimed TV series, a high school chemistry teacher makes the drug in a home lab and begins selling it, raking in millions and running afoul of organized crime.
That’s what makes the drug so hard to control. Almost anyone can make it using common chemicals.
Making meth is dangerous. Toxic gasses are created and homemade labs have been known to explode.
Using meth is even worse. Whether injected, snorted or smoked, meth affects the central nervous system, creating a temporary high. It also creates brain damage and in a matter of months significantly alters the way a person looks.
Smoking the drug promotes tooth decay, causing teeth to literally rot out of the user’s head. The so-called “meth mouth” is easily observed in the photos.
Meth also creates acne or makes it worse. Frequent drug users pick at the skin causing scarring.
Meth users tend to quit eating properly, and the body begins to consume body fat and muscle, creating a gaunt look.
The overall effect is that many meth users look like they’ve aged years in just a few months.
The term “Faces of Meth” was coined in December 2004 by a reporter in Oregon. Soon afterwards, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, located in Oregon near the Washington state line, began its famous drug prevention project.
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95 comments Add your comment
Walter White
December 5th, 2012
4:44 pm
I wouldnt say Meth is all bad. I am actually doing quite well. Well there was this one problem where I ended up killing a few people poisoning a baby, but it really wasnt that big a deal.
Andy
December 5th, 2012
4:46 pm
What a solid argument: The same states that give safe harbor and money to illegal aliens think pot should be legal as well.
Well good for them.
USMC
December 5th, 2012
4:51 pm
“No one cared what u looked like after smoking crack cause it was only blacks so now i’m supposed to feel sorry for white meth heads?”–Mike
Only a Racist like Mike who lives so far down the intelligence chain to come up with a foolish and bigoted statement like the one above. Get over your hate for white people, Mike. Some of them are my best friends and they are pretty nice people.
fes
December 5th, 2012
4:52 pm
“This is just another attempt to scare the human race in to conforming to others ideals. I’ve done meth before. Never became addicted. Alcohol is far worse and it is legal.
Those of you who fall for this get what you deserve.”
You sir, are an idiot and/or a liar. One taste and it can and will suck you in. I lost a year and a half of my life to it. These days, I’m thankful that I didn’t lose more than that. Alcohol is the gateway to all sorts of other experimentation, but meth is far worse.
BonQuiQui
December 5th, 2012
5:09 pm
If you want a frightening look @ what alcohol and drug addiction does to normal, everyday people young and not so young watch a couple of episodes of “Intervention” on A&E. The impact on their families is the worst part.
Reality Check
December 5th, 2012
5:19 pm
Until our society chooses to “make the punishment fit the crime” for the manufacturers and dealers of these drugs (herion & meth in particular), this will continue to happen.
When caught, the dealer and the manufacturer get off light compared to the damage inflicted …. the lives destroyed … in pursuit of money..
We should follow the example of China and other countries where drug dealing is not tolerated and is very harshly punished … deal drugs in China .. and bye bye
Pablo Escobar
December 5th, 2012
5:40 pm
This is ruining our society, it’s an epidemic. It is the root cause of the majority of crimes, at least in the town where I live. It’s out of control and will never get any better until the laws are tougher and the so-called judges take their panties off and quit being buddies and politicians. Actually, preventing the manufacturing,distribution and consumption of this junk would be considered a form of gun control.
Chris
December 5th, 2012
5:44 pm
So Mike is saying white people only react and create anti-meth campaigns because they see mostly white people destroying their lives with meth, right? But white people didn’t do the same in response to seeing mostly black people destroying their lives with crack cocaine?
If there were no anti-crack campaigns, then that means nobody, black nor white, created them. Doesn’t that make black people just as guilty as white people for turning their backs on the crack epidemic? And what about popular rappers like Jeezy and Lil Wayne who glorify manufacturing and selling crack in their music? They’re doing even worse than turning their backs on the problem. They’re encouraging the lifestyle. How about we put some of the blame on them. And on the dealers.
Get off the “white devil’s” back and take a share of the responsibility.
Pablo Escobar
December 5th, 2012
6:22 pm
C’mon everybody. Drugs are not a racial issue.They are an American issue, they are a State issue and they are all of OUR local issues. I am a white male who has been around thousands of people through my work over many years and I can tell you this.Yes, I have seen black people into drugs. I’ve also seen white people into drugs.If there are green and purple people I’ve probably dealt with them too. Bottom line is the same people continue to suffer because of these tards and that’s their family and children,plus all of the other innocent victims….Also, If some rotten-toothed white guy kills me over $5 or a piece of scrap metal, I’d be just as dead as if a black junkie killed me for my car. (By the way green-teeth,I’m always watching)
Mike you are a FOOL
December 5th, 2012
6:36 pm
Mike —– What the hell does race nave to do with this you my friend are a stupid pig>>>>>>>