Tomorrow night every television in the state will dedicate thirty minutes to raising awareness about meth and its effects on families.
The program is called “Crystal Darkness” sponsored by Oklahoma’s First Lady Kim Henry.
A report that came out in 2005 shows more than six percent of high school seniors admit to using meth a least once.
Fox 23’s Abbie Alford reports despite tougher laws for meth makers, law enforcement officers say the drug is still prevalent in Oklahoma.
Meth is reportedly 42% higher in Oklahoma than the national average.
Clinical Director Sharon Sneed, MS, with 12&12 a drug and alcohol treatment center in Tulsa says half of its clients suffer from meth abuse.
Sneed says in Oklahoma there are 300,000 people who need treatment but the state only funds enough to help 20,000 people suffering from a meth addiction.
Methamphetamine is known as Meth, Ice, Crank, or Speed. It’s a dangerous drug made from poisonous chemicals. Hazardous ingredients people pour in their car engine or to unclog their drain are used in the meth recipe.
"Everything that's used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine is either deadly or extremely harmful to the human body," says Sgt. Mike Parsons.
Parsons has been working with Tulsa Police Department’s Narcotic Unit since 1996 he also works Tulsa’s North Side Street Crimes Unit.
Parson’s says in his 13 years working drugs he’s seen how harmful meth can be to a person’s body.
Sneed says the hazardous chemicals used in making meth eat at a user’s body. She says the most telling is a meth user’s mouth.
"'Meth mouth'. It's a term that's related to loss of the bone structure in the mouth and teeth," says Sneed.
Over time a meth addict’s face will deteriorate.
In 2000 court records show 62-year-old Leonard White Sr., was convicted of meth almost nine years later his face is shriveled and his smile is gone.
