Fears of Crystal Meth Crisis Rise in NYC

[moe.ron]

Fears of Crystal Meth Crisis Rise in NYC

Sun May 16, 1:47 PM ET

By TOM HAYS, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Skeletal women surface at 12-step programs once exclusive to gay methamphetamine addicts. An aspiring fashion designer is indicted after federal agents claim he was overheard trying to collect cash from a meth deal. A disc jockey at a popular dance club makes no attempt to hide his drug of choice: meth.

Barely noticed in New York outside the gay community just a year ago, meth — and new signs of its spread — has created a citywide scare.

The highly addictive stimulant "could be the crack (cocaine) of the 21st century if we don't do something to stop it," New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer said last month at a Manhattan news conference warning of meth's eastward march.

The drug has been a problem for years in many parts of the country. But until recently, New York — a city normally at epicenter of drug trends — wasn't on the meth map, said Anthony Placido, head the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office.

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