Crystal Meth, Horrifying Gallery Showing How Drug Leaves Faces And Lives Ravaged

Huffington Post UK  |  By Posted: 03/05/2012 17:43 Updated: 07/05/2012 18:28

Crystal Meth
An addict prepares a "speedball" of heroin and crystal meth

Dead-eyed, with their faces encrusted in sores, these horrifying pictures show the devastating effects of methamphetamine abuse.

Faces of Meth features images of addicts who have been in custody more than once and are compiled by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FACES OF METH.

Deputy Bret King from the Corrections Division Classification began matching the pictures and shares them with schools.

He opens his presentations with: “I thank the men and women who, through their stories and photos, can share their experience with methamphetamine so you never have to try it yourself to know what it can do.

“I have seen and interviewed each of these people in jail. I hope that in seeing this you will make choices to not use methamphetamine and that I will never see you come inside my jail," the site states.

The project is also backed by the Oregonian newspaper.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story indicated that the images showed people before they became addicted and after. According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office this is not the case and that there was no way of knowing when the images of the individuals were taken with regards to drug-taking.

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Dead-eyed, with their faces encrusted in sores, these horrifying pictures show the devastating effects of methamphetamine abuse. Faces of Meth features images of addicts who have been in custody m...
Dead-eyed, with their faces encrusted in sores, these horrifying pictures show the devastating effects of methamphetamine abuse. Faces of Meth features images of addicts who have been in custody m...
 
 
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23:50 on 06/05/2012
It's sad we live in a society that insists on incarcerating and giving people felonies for their medical problems.
01:19 on 07/05/2012
I appreciate you caring enough to post this thought that I also agree with
18:32 on 07/05/2012
When it comes to treating addicts, I do not for one moment want to condone imprisonment. However, I believe that a lot of these addicts are very dangerous, and so treating them in the conventional sense is not really practical.
20:28 on 06/05/2012
I am a mum of two, whos opinion will make no difference to those who have chosen the path that may lead to their destruction. But I feel that I am allowed, like everyone, else to voice it. Hopefully for those who have chosen to use meth or any other hard substance and they have got to the point where their life literally depends on it and their existance, they will either save themselves from the brink or someone else will convince them to do so.
Over the last 20 years or so, I have lost friends to substance abuse, either through death, prostitution or imprisonment. They were all good people,who are missed by all who knew them. They were taken from their family and friends into a dark place away from the happiness,safety and security that we all strive for. Thats all
18:27 on 06/05/2012
Go to bed with an angel wake up with the devil, this just about sums up drugs. As for the photos yeah ok but its your soul the drugs destroy.
09:55 on 06/05/2012
It seems a lot of people believe that these photos were taken in 2005. This is not correct, they were complied in 2005. Most were taken somewhere between 1999 - 2004.
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MomWithTwoHeads
05:45 on 06/05/2012
This story and this news gallery is over 7 years old. I've seen it in at least five major tv shows and newspapers over the years, and also huff post. It's a good story and all, but are there updates? I mean, why keep reprinting this?
11:02 on 06/05/2012
They need to reprint it often. People who missed it might see it. Isn't it better to try to get it out there and discourage someone... even at least one person... not to do it?
11:07 on 06/05/2012
Things like this need to be repeated...7 year is almost an entire generation past. Children who are now in their teens may have not seen this 7 years ago. The theory holds true for HIV awareness, once the campaigning dies down, there is a massvie increase in infections. Yes it's old, but I believe it upholds the same values that may help someone who had missed it a generation ago.
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Sexyjade05
04:11 on 06/05/2012
Meth is very bad and I don't need a picture to believe it.
photo
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PatientZeroBeat
Dying since 1962
02:42 on 06/05/2012
The problem with some of these pictures is that the ones who started out even a little bit overweight look better after meth in some ways. So it might actually convince some fat people that it's a good way to lose weight.
00:57 on 06/05/2012
There as been a bit of trickery with these photos with a lot to do with subtle changes of lighting when photos have been taken. First photos show smart haircuts etc where as the second shows a dishevelled look which on a woman makes a big difference. As for those facial sores they are too red to be real they look much like you would see in a 1960's cheap Hammer film production.
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NeuroscientIst
03:34 on 06/05/2012
seriously? this is the message that you are taking away from these photos? maybe you should read the article again, and look a little harder at the pix. can you say, "missed the point...?
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MomWithTwoHeads
05:46 on 06/05/2012
Have you ever see a live meth addict? The sores are oozing and bloody and terribly creepy. It is the worst drug ever, and needs no photoshopping.
07:56 on 06/05/2012
Yep it'll do that to ya.
photo
undrgrndgirl
what's so funny 'bout peace, love & understanding?
00:29 on 06/05/2012
now show us what alcohol does.

(btw,i don't believe the women in the second picture is the same one when you roll over it. her nose is just too different)
07:57 on 06/05/2012
It doesn't make you ugly as long as you have someone to keep your hair out of the way as you vomit.

And if you're drunk, people actually look better to you.
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23:31 on 05/05/2012
in some cases the people looked more attractive. i'm serious. not all of course, but some.
photo
William A
Oh Lord, save me from your followers!
23:11 on 05/05/2012
"Meth can't be proven to have killed anyone."
"If meth were legal this wouldn't happen."
"Meth is actually good for you."
"Alcohol and tobacco are worse than meth."
"Meth is not addictive!"
"Meth opens your mind."
"I smoke meth all the time and I still have a job."

:)
23:33 on 05/05/2012
smoke on Dude
01:29 on 06/05/2012
Good luck with that.
22:36 on 05/05/2012
Your freedom to do as you wish means you also have the freedom to bear the consequences. People who have bodies ravaged by disease and pain not of their own doing have my heartfelt sympathy and compassion. Morons who voluntarily submit to doing drugs that they KNOW are dangerous.... not so much. I don't feel a single nerve of sympathy for them. I grew up in the middle of the drug culture. I had a brain. I chose not to risk harming myself. Its not that hard to walk away.
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beckymaximo
23:28 on 05/05/2012
I agree with you, Carmelcone. I grew up in that same era, but before this stuff really became popular. I also chose not to experiment solely because a Policeman came into our 10th grade class (we are talking 35 years ago) and showed us what illegal drugs can do to you, and it scared the heck out of me! So hopefully Deputy Brett King and his presentations will have the same affect on others today.
01:32 on 06/05/2012
I had a brain and still chose to experiment. Meth ruined my life until I was able to get out. I have told my children about this highly addictive drug. I admit I did it and I am here to tell you it ruined my life as it was at that time.
05:05 on 06/05/2012
kudos for your honesty! This drug, and any drug or addiction cross all social, economic and Intellectual levels.
00:27 on 07/05/2012
I am so sincerely sorry to hear that you fell prey to this and struggled to come out on the other side. I''m sorry if I sounded uncaring or harsh. I didn't mean to. I just get so mad when people act like they didn't know the consequences. All my heartfelt best to you and your family. I wish wonderful things for you and I hope your story can help others.
22:04 on 05/05/2012
Why is this 20 years late ?? because we have government controlled media , that's why !!!
07:58 on 06/05/2012
People were covering this in the 90's too, and real early 2000's
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BUTCHER99
21:31 on 05/05/2012
Is it the meth or the chemicals left in the meth due to poor manufacturing that are the problem? Don't take meth never have but certainly a better quality drug without draino etc in it would harm less people.