Crystal meth on the rise in ER's

The survey of 200 hospitals run or funded by counties in 39 states and Washington, D.C., shows that 47% said methamphetamine is the top illicit drug involved in emergency room visits. Sixteen percent said marijuana, and 15% said cocaine.

"This is a national problem," association spokesman Tom Goodman says. "The costs of methamphetamine are placing a great strain on county governments."

Of the hospitals surveyed, 73% said emergency room cases involving meth have increased over the past five years, and 56% said hospital costs have risen because of the treatment of meth patients.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that can be injected, snorted, smoked or swallowed. Most methamphetamine is manufactured in Mexican labs and smuggled into the USA. The drug also can be cooked up in home labs using cold pills and other ingredients easily purchased. (USA Today)

If you haven't yet talked with your kids about drug use, do it now. I've already started with my six-year-old.