EXPLORING THE METH EPIDEMIC AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR TEXANS
Local news stories are so riddled with crimes and arrests related to methamphetamines that it seems to be rising in popularity. Considering the addiction, bodily harm, and ancillary crime that meth causes, it’s easily one of the worst drugs we see in Texas. Discover how meth affects our communities and the laws designed to prevent it’s spreading across the state of Texas.
Recent Meth-Related Crimes
Citizens of Texas don’t have to look far to find evidence of meth distribution in their community. Earlier this year, 65 lbs of liquid meth were seized at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport disguised as printer ink. The bust resulted in the confiscation of almost $300,000 of methamphetamine. In the previous year, officials seized over 10,000 pounds of the illicit substance.
In Dallas, a man was just sentenced to 14 years in prison for being caught with meth in a hotel room. Even having meth in your possession is a crime punishable based on the amount, and paraphernalia like scales and small baggies can further harm the suspect’s case. In addition to the 166-month prison sentence, the suspect also had to pay $27,080 in damages.
Meth – A Drug Known By Many Names
While methamphetamine and its short form, meth, are the most common terms for the drug, it’s known by numerous street names. Many of the street names pertain to the hyper effect it causes or the appearance of the drug itself. These street names include:
Crank
Speed
Trash
Cookies
Tina
Uppers
When combined with other substances or methods of use, meth is known by a completely different set of names:
Fire
Biker Coffee
Shabu
Party & Play
The Physical Effects of Meth Use
Although there’s a wide range of names for crystal methamphetamine and numerous ways to use it, the damage that it causes to users is unique in its devastation. The appearance of someone who has used meth for a long period of time can be permanently altered, often featuring crooked teeth, sunken cheeks, and a much older appearance. Using methamphetamine destroys blood vessels and tissues, degrading the body’s ability to heal itself. For these reasons, it’s often easy to identify signs of meth use because they’re highly visible.
A High Price to Pay for Being Caught with Methamphetamine
It’s important to know that possession, manufacturing, and distribution of methamphetamine are all categories of crimes and that the penalties are severe. Having even less than a gram of meth in your possession could get you two years in prison. There’s also a law against possessing the ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine – being caught with substances such as anhydrous ammonia and pseudoephedrine can bring about penalties ranging from 2-20 years in prison.
Texas Laws Against Distributing Methamphetamine
Selling or Transporting methamphetamine is illegal throughout the state of Texas as well as the rest of the United States. At the lowest levels, distributing meth can result in 180 days to two years in prison. At the highest level of distributing over 400 grams of meth, the penalty grows to 15 to 99 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Have You Been Accused of A Meth-Related Crime?
Whether you’ve been caught with a small amount of the substances used in the production of meth or were busted using the drug itself, there is the potential of serious jail time and other consequences. For your best chance at a favorable result, hire a drug lawyer who understands the laws and courts of Texas better than anyone: Phillip A. Linder. With over 25 years arguing in the courts of Dallas Texas, Phillip A. Linder is your best shot at the verdict you want. Call today for a free review of your case.