[todd00]

I don't think people were doing anything to scare the OP off the area. Getting personal opinions based on experience in the area is one reason why people seek advice from these forums. While I agree drug crimes tend to be concentrated and in many instances the victim does know the offender, still burglaries and such do happen to feed drug habits. It can happen anywhere. A person should take reasonable precautions no matter where they live.

Did you read that Architectural Digest will be doing a feature on a aesthetically pleasing home-based methamphetamine lab near Searcy. But did this couple really want this kind of attention. Apparently local law enforcement was unaware of their activities. But they are now.

Ya, those meth photos are awful, that alone you'd think would stop people from trying it. Now too many enchiladas and you might have another type of problem, but at least it's only of a temporary nature.

Arkansas Meth Lab to be Featured in Architectural Digest | Rock City Times

[thegreenflute334]

Originally Posted by Luvvarkansas

And your teeth!

Seriously, those "before and after" pictures of meth addicts are some kind of scary. Pitiful, actually. Really sad.

When they get to prison, most serious meth addicts can't chew the prison food because their teeth are rotten and infected. Since prisons are not usually into special needs in the dietary department, the state will often foot the bill for dentures, so they can eat. That's about five grand per meth inmate with serious meth mouth. I think the prison can puree the food to a baby food level. But that would mean, your carrots, cake and beans with a slice of bread ( or whatever is on the menu) would all have to go in a blender together. I also know that if you rent to someone that is a cooking meth in the home and they get busted... the city will make you gut the home down to the 2x4's ( at your expense) because the sheet rock absorbs the chemicals and can still make you very sick. If you don't do so, a new tenant can actually sue the landlord if that family gets sick.

[thegreenflute334]

Originally Posted by curiousgeorge5

I always thought it was nuts to mess with this drug because you don't know if you're getting 95% meth and 5% draino, battery acid, or whatever. It's also odd how they know they're making meth instead of one of the other amphetamines.

I don't know how anyone could control knowing what is in meth. They dealers ( or cookers) could put anything in there for filler... so you are correct.

[slingshot]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I don't think the OP needs to give up on Mena because of the meth scare.

I agree. One of the main reasons my wife and I decided on Mena were the good vibes and friendly folks that we ran across when we visited Mena. I love it here and would recommend retirement here to anyone looking for those same vibes and friendly folks.

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by thegreenflute334

I also know that if you rent to someone that is a cooking meth in the home and they get busted... the city will make you gut the home down to the 2x4's ( at your expense) because the sheet rock absorbs the chemicals and can still make you very sick. If you don't do so, a new tenant can actually sue the landlord if that family gets sick.

Yeah, that's one of the scarier parts of meth cooking to me....the possibility of buying a house that's had meth cooked in it, especially in rural areas. Wonder if there's a test for that. Seems like in this day and time a seller ought to have to provide a "meth certificate" along with the termite certificate.

[maureenelizabeth]

This is my first time in any kind of chat...believe it or not, I live in a city with HUGE drug problem...biggest on east coast they say...near Boston...but never seen meth!!???...plenty of cocaine, heroine and weed...

[LordHelmit]

Originally Posted by maureenelizabeth

This is my first time in any kind of chat...believe it or not, I live in a city with HUGE drug problem...biggest on east coast they say...near Boston...but never seen meth!!???...plenty of cocaine, heroine and weed...

Yeah when I lived in Jersey meth was never a big problem, was usually crack and heroin like you said. Meth seems to be a southern problem more than a NE problem.

[kapie9969]

Its' a cancer. Meth is everywhere.

[RogMar]

Not quite everywhere.

I have dealt a lot with drugs in my career, and retired out of a Chicago burb department. Never saw a meth problem until I got to Arkansas, and it's huge here. I saw a lot of heroin, prescription meds, etc.

The difference is, meth is dirt cheap to make, and the markup is astronomical. Most of these meth heads can make it up in a number of ways with chemicals that would scare you to death. In the rural areas, it's tough to find a lab. However, users are busted every single day. We have a couple of "retirement" communities in my area, and as I've said before, the Judicial Drug Task force might as well open a permanent office in them.

[Phil P]

I saw this thread cruisin by, and I thought I'd chime in. I know for a while Eastern CO towns had been reported to be meth capitals. I agree, it's probably everywhere, but it really does seem to be much more of a rural drug than an urban one. Maybe its cause there's nothing to do in some of these really small trailer park towns in Eastern CO? I have to wonder why anyone would do it as well. Here are the effects listed from Erowid.org.

POSITIVE
increased energy and alertness
decreased need for sleep
increased sociability
mild to extreme mood lift, euphoria
increased sexuality
NEUTRAL
excessive talking
decreased appetite, weight loss
sweating
NEGATIVE
disturbed sleep patterns
tightened jaw muscles, grinding teeth (trismus and bruxia)
loss of appetite (anorexia), leading to poor nutrition and weight loss with heavy use
visual & auditory hallucinations, hearing voices (from sleep deprivation)
reduced enjoyment of eating
loss of interest in sex, over time
itching, welts on skin
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
dry mouth, leading to serious tooth decay with chronic use
excessive excitation, hyperactivity
shortness of breath
moodiness & irritability
anxiousness & nervousness
aggressiveness
panic, suspiciousness, and paranoia
involuntary body movements (uncontrollable movement and/or twitches of fingers, facial & body muscles, lip-smaking, tongue protrusion, grimacing, etc.)
ego inflation, false sense of confidence and power, ego-inflation
aggressive and violent behavior
severe depression, suicidal tendencies


Effects of Habitual Use
fatal kidney and lung disorders
possible brain damage
permanent psychological problems
lowered resistance to illnesses
liver damage
stroke
cardiovascular crises, chest pains, heart attacks
Damage to gums, teeth, and can lead to tooth loss