Crystal Meth: Kids' Dangerous New Drug of Choice

It's made of chemical you use to unclog your drain and clean your car engine. Its production can lead to huge explosions and a smell that would make even the most iron stomach queasy. It is highly toxic, dangerous, and addictive. But it is becoming the drug of choice for an alarming number of American teens.

According to some reports, as many as 25% of teens in some rural counties have used crystal meth.

The war on drugs was never equipped to deal with a drug like crystal meth. It doesn't have to be imported — it can be manufactured in any apartment using common chemicals available in any store. It is part-stimulant, part-hallucinogen, and extremely dangerous.

This hour, why crystal meth is the new drug of choice for teens — and what, if anything, can be done about it.

Guests:

Sargent John Branham, head of the Tacoma Police Department methamphetamine lab team;Alex Stalcup, drug treatment therapist at New Leaf Treatment Center in Contra Costa County, California;Lynn Eul, drug prevention coordinator with the Snohomish County, WA, prosecutor's office

former crystal meth user