Methamphetamine (Methylamphetamine or Desoxyephedrine) also known as ice or crystal meth is a pyschostimulate. Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a release dopeamine and serotonin , causing euphoria and excitement. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating, and depression- like symptoms. Withdraw is also accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving. Meth was first introduced in Japan in 1893 by a chemist named Nagayoshi Hagai. In 1919 crystalized meth was introduced by adding red phosphorus and Iodine. This drug is abused world wide and it is starting to have a effect on our society. According to the United Nations, meth is the most abused hard drug on the earth, there is a estimated 26 million meth users worldwide that equals all heroin and cocaine user combined(pbs.org). The number of meth users and meth related death rise every year. Over time, abuser of crystal meth develop some of the worst health conditions known to man. Sadly, if no prevention is put in place disrupt the production and distribution of meth this country could be in dark times.
The effects of Meth on its users is mind blowing. The immediate effects of meth are Euphoria, Diarrhea, and increased libido. Side effects associated with chronic use are: Weight loss, drug craving, withdrawal -related depression, and rapid tooth decay. Side effects associated with an overdose is brain damage, paranoia, and muscle break down, which leads to kidney failure. Most of the time death from an overdose is due to stroke, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.
One of the earliest use of crystal meth was during WWII, when the German army dispensed it under the name Pervitin. The addiction to this drug spread across rank. It began with elite forces, tank crew, and aircraft personnel. Users within the army went to the extent of dosing chocolates in meth and named them "Fliegerchokolade" ( flyer’s chocolate)(pbs.org). This was dangerous because these men had a goal to achieve while at war , but tasks were hindered because of drug abuse. Adolf Hitler was given daily intravenous injections of meth by his doctor, as a treatment for depression and fatigue until his death in 1945 .
Post WWII there was a significant increase in manufactured meth, and meth created in users’ own homes for personal use. Recreational meth use peaked in the 1980s. In 1989 a The Economist described San Diego, California as the "meth capital". Then again in 2000 The Economist again described San Diego as the meth capital of North America, and South Gate, California as the second meth capital.
It is no coincidence that meth use is the highest in Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders at ( 2.2%). The rates is higher in these regions because geographically they are closer to the central production of meth. Caucasian meth user account for (.7%), Hispanics stand at (.O5%) and in blacks at (0.1%)(thebody.org). In 1983 laws were passed in the U.S. prohibiting the possession of equipment for the production of meth. Meth can be easily cooked up in home laboratories using pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. These active ingredients can be acquired over the counter in drugs, such as Sudafed and Contac. To restrict meth production many states have imposed stricter guidelines regarding pseudoephrine/ephedrine products.
Meth labs are one of the most dangerous areas that federal agency's raid each year. The gases that are produced by meth are not only toxic, but have the ability to explode at any moment. Here is a list of just some of the toxins in meth: chloroform, used today in Freon refrigerant. Ether which can be found in aerosol propellant, hydrogen chloride, which can be found in toilet bowl cleaner, and lithium, used to fuse metal during welding and soldering.
This combination can cause trouble because none of these ingredient above are nutritional or healthy for the human body. The fumes that chemicals give off can also be lethal. Phospine gas, one of the gas produced during the production of meth is highly explosive. Lack of ventilation, and over heating are two components that usually are to blame for massive explosions that leave victims dead or severely burned. That is why it is important for federal agency to crack down on meth labs and ingredients need to support meth labs. Unfortunately, the innocent civilian is subject to the rules and regulations of the government regarding over the counter drugs containing these ingredients.
Until the early 1990's meth was mostly made in labs in Mexico and California, but authorities are now starting to see a increase in numbers off small labs in the U.S.
Meth labs are usually found in rural low-income areas. Federal agency have seized thousands of labs all across the nation in an effort to eradicate meth use.
In 2007 President Bush proposed a budget that was committed to combat meth. The budget provided 40 million to the DEA to clean up meth lab sites. The budget also proposed to invest money in anti-drug efforts in the hardest-hit regions.
Number of Reported Methamphetamine Laboratory Seizures, 2003-October 11, 2007
Methamphetamine Laboratory Seizures
Full Year 2002
9,208
Full Year 2003
10,094
Full Year 2004
9,935
Full Year 2005
5,935
Full Year 2006
4,002
Jan.-Oct 11, 2007
1,802
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/methamphetamine/index.html
Moreover meth is a drug that claims the lives of people every day whether it be a new addict or a tragic death. Shawn Bridges was a former trucker, who became highly addicted to meth. He gained global attention last year for " No More", a 29 min film shot at bridges request. His heart was so damaged from meth (a concoction that can include drain cleaner, battery acid, and fertilizers). In his documentary Bridges is bedridden , and is fed through a tube. His father told the press "he has a 34 year old body from the outside, but a 70-80 year old man on the inside. After the documentary Bridges sadly passed away due to excessive meth use. This goes to show the effects that meth can have on user who don’t seek help when needed.
The impact that meth has on a person’s family is devastating. Officials are finding that meth users have increase reports of child endangerment, abuse, and negligence. When parents are high on meth children often times left to fend for themselves. Euphoria can cause parents to do strange things like sexual abuse their children. While at the same time exposing them to deadly chemicals.
Meth is not a epidemic yet because 18 factories in the whole world produce pseudoephrine/ephedrine and the government has tight restrictions on manufacturing. The increase in meth use and meth labs is a red flag for a problem to come. The South is starting to be infiltrated by meth and its destructive pattern. The war against drugs and anti drug commercials are opening the public eyes to this problem. Education I feel is a key component to combat drugs in the U.S. My generation is the future of America and it is important that we allow ourselves to reach full potential as individuals and as a society. Education+Awareness=change. Society will continue fighting meth until significant improvement is seen worldwide.
