Methamphetamine (or meth) has reached all corners of the country, according to National Public Radio, moving from rural areas to cities and suburbs. Television stories have reported on mobile meth labs parked across the street from schools. You may live in a "nice" neighborhood, but there may be meth labs in your neghborhood.

Your kids are the pusher's target. While some kids know about the dangers of meth, others don't know what it can do to their bodies. If you haven't talked to your kids about meth do it today. Even if you're talked to them, share these facts with your kids and grandkids.

* Meth is made from toxic stuff: paint solvent, engine starter, gasoline additive, brake cleaner, cement cleaner, drain cleaner, battery chemicals, to name a few. (Sources: "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards" and Centers for Disease Control)

* One-time meth use may cause instant addiction. (Source: US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

* Meth causes permanent damage to the blood vessels in the brain; It makes you stupid. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)

* The chemicals in meth rot teeth and turn them into black stubs, a condition called "meth mouth." Eventually your teeth fall out. (Source: "Meth Mouth, The Oral Plague," ARIZONA DAILY STAR)

* Meth causes a dangerous surge in blood pressure and heart rate. (Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse)

* Meth use also causes dangerously high fever (as high as 110 degrees) and may lead to convulsions. (Sources: Minnesota Department of Health and www.msnbc.com)

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* Meth makes you so jittery you can't sleep. Soon you're tired all the time, not a good match for learning or sports. (Source: www.freevibe.com)

* Chronic meth use makes you anxious, depressed, and paranoid. (Source: www.freevibe.com)

* Long-term meth use can cause permanent psychological damage. (Source: US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration)

* Chronic users think "crank bugs" are crawling under their skin, so they pick at their skin and scratch constantly, causing ugly red sores. (Source: www.jusstthinktwice.com)

* Meth users smell like chemicals or cat urine. (Source: Idaho Department of Health)

* Long-term use causes extreme anorexia and makes you look like a walking skeleton. (Source: Minnesota Department of Health)

* Long-term use inhibits sexual performance. (Source: www.msnbc.com)

* Meth makes you look really old really fast. (Source: www.msnbc.com)

* Meth ruins lives and will eventually kill you. (Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse and www.msnbc.com)

Because meth is made with toxic chemicals the labs can blow up without warning. Just being near a meth lab is dangerous. IF YOU FIND A LAB DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING, LEAVE AS FAST AS YOU CAN, AND CALL 911.

Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson. To learn more about her work go to http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years and is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with co-author Lois Krahn, MD is available from http://www.amazon.com

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