Compared to Distribution

an indicator guage with the arrow in the green the value is in the best half of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the yellow the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the red the value is in the worst quarter of communities.

Compared to Target

green circle with white tick inside it meets target; red circle with white cross inside it does not meet target.

Compared to a Single Value

green diamond with downward arrow inside it lower than the comparison value; red diamond with downward arrow inside it higher than the comparison value; blue diamond with downward arrow inside it not statistically different from comparison value.

Trend

green square outline with upward trending arrow inside it green square outline with downward trending arrow inside it non-significant change over time; green square with upward trending arrow inside it green square with downward trending arrow inside it significant change over time; blue square with equals sign no change over time.

Compared to Prior Value

green triangle with upward trending arrow inside it higher than the previous measurement period; green triangle with downward trending arrow inside it lower than the previous measurement period; blue equals sign no statistically different change from previous measurement period.

green chart bars Significantly better than the overall value

red chart bars Significantly worse than the overall value

light blue chart bars No significant difference with the overall value

gray chart bars No data on significance available

High School Students who have Used Methamphetamines

This indicator shows the percentage of high school students who have used methamphetamines (also called speed, crystal, crank, or ice) one or more times during their life.

Why is this important?

Drug abuse and addiction comprise a public health problem that affects many people and has wide-ranging social consequences. These consequences can include poor health outcomes, increased crime and accidents, and increased unemployment and homelessness. Methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system and has a high potential for abuse. Chronic methamphetamine abuse significantly changes how the brain functions. Methamphetamine use results in many damaging effects, including violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, extreme weight loss, and severe dental problems. Users of methamphetamines may also display psychotic features including paranoia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions. The paranoia can result in homicidal as well as suicidal thoughts.

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