LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Although the County doesn't consider it a huge problem, investigators say meth is here to stay.

Tik, crystal, ice, and cheese are all words used to describe meth.

Dennis Zamora, The Las Cruces Public School Safe and Drug Free School Program coordinator, said, “It's knowing these names and the signs associated with its use that could keep a growing community from seeing it get out of control.”

The side effects include aging of the skin and sores all over the body. The effects can be very dramatic in a short amount of time.

Todd Gregory, safety and security coordinator for the school district, said, “It’s obviously the destructive power of drugs or meth or any drug and alcohol. It can destroy your physical being as well as your mental being.“

Community members say they don't see widespread occurrences of people who are obviously addicted to meth in this area, but they have seen the effects elsewhere.

Chris McMurtry of Las Cruces’ East Mesa said, “It just messes up your life. I see a lot of people in jail or strung out and lost just trying to find it. I don't think it's a real good thing to do.”

The Las Cruces Public School District has not one report of meth use or meth-related problems to date, but the schools can't keep a squeaky clean record unless it takes steps to be proactive.

Gregory said, “We accomplish that by awareness programs, prevention programs and education with our parents students and staff members.”

The district along with New Mexico State Police are offering a program to parents and community members to teach what meth can do, and how it can destroy lives.

Willa Esslinger, a La Mesa resident, said, “I don't know terribly a lot about it but all drugs are dangerous as far as I'm concerned.”

The presentation the school and state police will give can't tell you everything, but it does get enough attention to start a community talking about ways to prevent meth use from spreading in the community.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department says there have been a few incidents with small meth lab operations in Chaparral in the past few years, but the numbers of cases have decreased.

The Meth Public Awareness meeting will be held Thursday night at the East Picacho Elementary school in Las Cruces from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.