In Houston, Texas, meth use has been on the rise for years prompting a new focus alongside that of crack and cocaine. Since meth amphetamines are a rising issue in the State of Texas, the criminal justice system has begun to take a hard stance on the drug. If you are accused of the possession of meth you can expect sentencing similar to that experienced by people arrested for the possession of cocaine in Texas.
If you are a user of meth amphetamines it is important that you are aware of the various health effects caused by using this dangerous drug. Although made using the ingredients of over the counter medication, it is important to understand that meth is still a very dangerous drug that no one who wants to take care of themselves would use, or even come in contact with.
Health Effects of Meth Use
Short Term Effects on Your Health
- Loss of appetite is often experience by meth users.
- Users of meth also experience an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
- Dilation of pupils of the eye is often cited as an effect of meth use.
- Disturbed sleep patterns and feeling of nausea.
- Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior in addition to hallucinations, hyperexcitability, and irritability is another one of the short term effects of meth use.
- Panic and psychosis is another result of using this dangerous illegal drug.
- Convulsions, seizures and death from abnormally high doses are not rare either.
Longer Term Effects on The Health of Meth Users
- Permanent damage to blood vessels can be caused by meth use as well as heart and brain damage which will cause high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and even possibly death.
- Liver, kidney and lung damage are also a result of using this dangerous drug.
- Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed may cause the center tissue wall of your nose to diminish over time.
- Respiratory problems may also result if smoking is the way the drug is ingested.
- Infectious diseases and abscesses can form if meth is injected intravenously.
- Malnutrition, weight loss, tooth decay, disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion are also commonplace.
- Strong psychological dependence to drug also occurs along with psychosis, depression, and damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsy.
Source of Meth Health Effects: Drug Free World
Criminal Penalties for Meth Related Drug Crimes in Texas
| Quantity of Meth | Criminal Classification | Potential Criminal Penalty |
| Less than 1 gram | State jail felony | Up to 2 years in prison and $10,000 Fine |
| 1 gram-3.99 grams | 3rd degree felony | 2-10 yrs. in prison and $10,000 Fine |
| 4-199 grams | 2nd degree felony | 2-20 yrs. in prison and $10,000 Fine |
| 200-399 grams | 1st degree felony | 5-99 yrs. in prison and $10,000 Fine |
| 400 grams + | Enhanced 1st degree felony | 10-99 yrs. in prison and $100,000 Fine |
Criminal penalties for criminal offenses related to meth are strict and harsh in Texas mainly because of how dangerous the drugs is, ease of production, and high capacity for abuse. As you may gather, a person arrested by law enforcement with 5 grams of meth could be looking at a 20 year sentence in a Texas penitentiary.
If you are ever arrested in connection with a drug like meth in Houston, talk with a smart criminal defense attorney who will be able to fight the charge after developing a smart criminal defense strategy for your case.
