Carbon County Detective Jeff Aster provided a number of signs and symptoms of drug addiction:

• Drastic changes in appetite, such as having the munchies all the time.• Changes in personal hygiene habits because people battling addiction tend to let themselves go.• Rapid weight loss or gain• Changes in lifestyle, like asking for money for no reason or coming up with large sums of money that they can't explain.• Things in the home, like antiques, heirlooms, electronics or jewelry, start disappearing.Symptoms:• Slurred speech• Red or bloodshot eyes• Pinpointed pupils• Nodding off often• Uncontrollably itchy skin• Uncharacteristic spots on a person's body such as needle pricks, bruises or unexplainable sores.• Extremely runny nose or frequent bloody nose.In communities:Aster also said that neighborhoods need to be vigilant to help keep drug activity down."If you see increased traffic in a specific area at odd times of day or if cars stop for brief periods of time then drive away, this may be a problem," he said, noting that if you can get a vehicle's license plate number, write it down and report it to the county drug tipline by calling 570-732-0089.EFFECTS:A number of drugs also damage your body. Aster supplied the "Anatomy of Drugs" handout, which explained the effects of drugs on a person's body.Some effects included:• Heroin: Scarred and/or collapsed veins, bacterial infections of the blood vessels, heart valve damage, abscesses and other soft tissue infections, liver disease, kidney disease, neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain, unconsciousness, coma, miscarriage or premature births, respiratory depression or arrest, death.• Methamphetamine: Increased or irregular heart rate, increased blood pressure, irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, strokes, respiratory problems, decreased appetite that leads to extreme anorexia, cardiovascular damage, aggression or psychotic behavior, paranoia, convulsions, death.• Marijuana: Distorted perception, impaired attention and memory, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety and panic attacks, confusion, long-term cough, difficulty sustaining attention, increased risk of cancer of the head, neck and lungs.• Ecstasy: Confusion, depression, drug craving, insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, faintness, nausea, cardiac toxicity, increased blood pressure, hyperthermia, kidney failure, liver toxicity, increased tactile sensitivity, blurred vision, chills or sweating, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, increased heart rate, possible death.• Cocaine: chest pain, heart attacks, muscle spasms, rapid or irregular heartbeat, respiratory failure, stroke, seizures, headaches, blurred vision, abdominal pain, nausea, reduced appetite and malnutrition, insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks.