Kind of Disturbing

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This page is more than links. Angela Fatino's story made me so sad, that I decided to feature it.

Angela Fatino - age 12

Angela Fatino - age 13

What happened to turn such a pretty, vibrant pre-teen into a sad, ill teenager?

Meth!

What is meth?

Methamphetamine, also known as “meth,” “speed,” “crank,” or “ice,” is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Meth is a synthetic drug produced or sold as pills, capsules, or powder that can be smoked, snorted, injected, or swallowed.

It damages the nervous system, causes dependence and addiction psychosis. Meth can lead to a stroke, dangerously high body temperature, and irregular heartbeats. Withdrawal often results in severe depression and paranoia.

Meth can be made from commonly available, legitimate household products. It is usually made in small, toxic labs in a meth "cook’s” home, automobile, or alongside a road. The ingredients used to make meth are legitimate household materials, usually found at retail stores, such as:

* Over-the-counter cough, cold, asthma, and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine
* Acetone
* Rubbing and isopropyl alcohol
* Iodine
* Starter fluid (ether)
* Gas additives (methanol)
* Drain cleaner (sulfuric acid)
* Lithium batteries
* Rock salt
* Matchbooks (red phosphorus)
* Lye
* Paint thinner
* Aluminum foil
* Glassware
* Coffee filters
* Propane tanks

Source: Meth Watch Program

That's right, that's the crap that meth users are putting into their bodies.

About Angela

Angela Fatino started using meth at the age of 12. The first picture is her school picture on top. The second was taken just one year later at a Polk County juvenile detention center.

Angela battled an addiction to meth for 2 1/2 years. She died on October 8, 1997. The death was determined to be suicide with a handgun and the toxicology results confirmed meth in her system at the time. She was 15 years old at the time of her death.

Angela's story led U.S. Congressman Thomas Latham introduced the “Angie Fatino Save the Children From Meth Act” in her memory which limits the sale of pseudoephedrine. Not only did the legislation pass in Iowa and other states, federal law has now been enacted limiting the sale of pseudoephedrine.

Now, on to the links

Effects of Use
Long and short term effects of using meth.

Meth's Impact Over Time
Mug shots over a period of time showing the ravaging affects of meth use

Faces of Meth
Before and after photos of meth users.

Meth Bugs
Meth users think bugs are crawling under their skin and try to scratch them out.

Meth Mouth
Mouths of meth users .

The Youngest Victims
Children are the innocent victims of meth cooks and users.