Across the midwest, law enforcement is seizing meth pressed into fake-pill form. Meth-related arrests in Lake, Mason, and Oceana counties more than doubled between 2017 and 2019 (from 14 to 48) – DEA.

Purchasing pills off the street may not be what they are advertised to be. Meth is being found pressed into fake-pill form across the Midwest.

If you are concerned that a loved one is using methamphetamine, you can find signs of use and resources below.

• Rapid weight loss
• Long periods of sleeplessness (24-120 hours) followed by long periods of sleep (24-48 hours)
• Lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Violent behavior
• Distrust of others and institutions
• Hallucinations
• Mood shifts (going from one extreme to the other without a history of bipolar)
• Odd movements of face, mouth, and limbs
• Fixations on ideas that seem out of character
• Unwarranted confidence in random skillsets (ie: being able to “fix” things. Taking things apart and then realizing that they don’t know how to fix them)

• Fentanyl is often found in meth. Consider using fentanyl testing strips to ensure that your loved one is as safe as they can be.
• Consider having Narcan in the house. Narcan is a medication that reverses overdoses caused by fentanyl. Since Fentanyl is often mixed with meth, Narcan is a safe medication to have in the house just in case. You can pick up a Narcan kit for free at any of our locations.
• Encourage your loved one to not use alone to reduce the risks of over-ramping or overdosing on the substance.
• Encourage the individual to stay hydrated, sleep, and eat regularly.
• If your loved one is experiencing psychosis and you need assistance with stabilizing the individual in crisis you can reach out to our Mobile Crisis Team. This line is staffed 24/7. Please call 1-800-992-2061 to access crisis services.