Meth Use Up In Cuyahoga County, "Disturbing" Med Examiner Says

CLEVELAND, OH — The use of methamphetamines appears to be increasing in Cleveland and throughout Cuyahoga County, according to new data released by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Dr. Thomas Gilson.

"Methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant, is becoming more prevalent in the seized drugs we are analyzing. We have not seen an increase in deaths from methamphetamine – our overarching problem there remains the opioids like fentanyl and the re-emergence of cocaine," said Dr. Gilson in a statement. "But the appearance of methamphetamine is disturbing, as it has disastrous effects on people's personal health and social well-being.”

Dr. Gilson's office defined meth as a "highly addictive stimulant that can lead to long-term consequences" including, heart and brain damage, open sores, severe dental decay and weight loss.

Two types of methamphetamine are seeing an uptick in usage: meth tablets (fake ecstasy pills) and crystal meth. In 2017, the county seized 135 fake ecstasy pills. That's up from 77 in 2016. The Medical Examiner's Office also analyzed 181 crystal meth seizures, up from 37 in 2016.

The fake ecstasy pills are supposed to contain MDMA, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, but contain only meth instead.

Dr. Gilson said that anyone that needs additional information about drug addiction recovery, should contact the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County on their 24-hour crisis hotline at 216-623-6888

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Photo info: D. J. Meek, a 40-year-old homeless drug addict, smokes crystal meth Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles.