Health officials launch campaign focusing on ugly symptom of drug abuse.

Fox 5 San Diego: San Diego County health officials launched a campaign Monday to raise awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine use and to encourage addicts to get help.

Through the campaign, dubbed "Meth Mouth,'' after the unsightly condition that inflicts some meth users, more than 90,000 brochures will be distributed at dental clinics and health resource centers.

The brochures distributed through the campaign encourage people to seek treatment by increasing awareness of the dangers and the signs of meth use, including meth mouth.

Meth mouth results from the acidic nature of the drug, and subsequent cravings for high sugar foods, drinks and gum, that can contribute to widespread tooth decay among users.

"Meth mouth is one of the most obvious physical effects seen in some meth users,'' said Dianne Jacob, chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Jacob was joined by officials from the county Health and Human Services Agency and former meth users at the La Maestra Community Health Centers Dental Clinic in Lemon Grove to announce the start of the campaign.

"Meth mouth often leaves users with enormous dental bills and holes in their mouths,'' she said. "When it comes to meth, there is nothing to smile about. Meth is death.''

According to the county, there were 1,014 meth-related deaths in the San Diego region between 2003 and 2007.

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