Meth : A Popular Drugs

To understand the problem, one must first identify the pathways that lead to meth, which is where Shukla began to explore her participants’ different experiences. While the reasoning and circumstances surrounding initiation into meth use several themes appeared. Most notably, most individuals started their drug using careers before they were teenagers, and none began with meth. Early childhood was exposed to drugs, and for that abuse and neglect, were the norm among those with whom she spoke. Shukla uncovered those secrets, regardless of their life experiences, a ‘‘deep love of meth’’ kept her participants trapped in a cycle of drug abuse. (Tchoula 2017).

The Meth Epidemic was a time where an abundance of individuals across the United States was exposed to meth. It became an addiction that could not be stopped. Higher officials done everything they could to stop it but meth always found its way to others. Unfortunately, this has affected society because of the high crime rate it has caused. Hence, their addiction has caused them to make decisions that has affected society and causing others to make serious decisions.

It was developed in Japan in 1919 with little research for what it could do to the body. Methamphetamine was easily used because it could be dissolved in water making it have the characterization of an injectable drug. During World War 2, between 1939 and 1945, Meth was used at large amounts to keep soldiers awake and alert. They didn't know that they were really giving these soldiers an addicting high. During the 1950s it was then diagnosed as an antidepressant and a diet aid making it more commonly used. By the 1960s it was being abused even more due to the fact that it was a common drug that was able to be used as medicine (“Foundation for a Drug Free World”). It was also easier to access. Today Meth is transported to the US by Mexico. It is produced in large laboratories in Mexico but is also produced here in the US in toxic labs which explains how bad it is alone. Meth was used in the past like it was good for us and no big deal but now the real dangers and risks are known for this

“Meth, not even once” is a popular phrase that is associated with this drug. This drug has many known horrible effects associated with it, plus many effects more I am sure are going to be discovered over time. I am intending to cover the history, effects, the different categories of meth abuse, and the withdrawal effects of Methamphetamine in this paper, and what to do if you suspect someone you know is using meth.

Crystal abusers become so heavily reliant on the drug that they will go to any extreme to get more- including violent crimes. Due to the manor in which meth is produced the users have no way of knowing what is actually in the product. Along the distribution path the product is cut- to increase profit by creating more product, which puts the user at increased risk of danger. Which brings out many questions, such as: why start, why continue and most of all, why not just quit?

The addiction of methamphetamine amongst juvenile’s and adults has reached epidemic proportions that affect the individual, families and communities. Methamphetamine abuse has crossed all social economic boundaries that have negatively impacted law enforcement, social and clinical services. According to Anglin, Burke, Perrochet, Stamper and Dawud-Noursi (2000), methamphetamine, also known as meth, crystal, or speed, is a substance that affects the central nervous system creating a stimulant effect that can be injected, smoked, snorted, or ingested orally. Individuals who use meth for an extensive period of time tend to become addicted and will likely need to continue to use meth at high levels for its effects to continue to provide the euphoric symptoms and sensations. Anglin, et al, also describe methamphetamine as a derivative of amphetamine, this form of amphetamine was often used for medication purposes in the 1950’s and 1960’s to treat symptoms of depression and obesity. Durell, Kroutil, Crits-Christoph, Barchha, and Van Brunt (2008), also stated that illicit methamphetamine use is a public health concern in the United States with an increase use among teens and young adults in the 1990s. The Mental Health Services Administration conducted a national survey on meth use in the United States and found that currently as least a half a million of Americans used or have used methamphetamine. Meth use is an epidemic that is slowly becoming a destructive

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive central nervous stimulant that induces the release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Its side effects include increased alertness, increased activity, high blood pressure, decreased appetite, euphoria, psychosis, and severe dental disease (Ravenel et al. 229). In 1919 methamphetamine was synthesized for the first time and was utilized for treatment of attention deficit disorder, to enhance physical performance, anorectic effects, increase wakefulness, and as a general mood enhancer (Padilla and Ritter 148). The manufacturing of methamphetamine became strictly regulated by The Controlled Substance Act of 1970, however, this didn’t stop the manufacturing of meth on the streets using simple and

Meth was originally used for medical purposes; it was used to help treat narcolepsy (wanting to sleep), obesity (being overweight), and Attention Deficit

The meth epidemic of the United States has been invasive and problematic from the time it was introduced from the early 1900’s until now. Though introduced through pharmaceutical companies for treatment from depression to colds, the drug has become one of America’s most addictive, abusive, and destructive drugs. The economy and the role of the government, as well as pharmaceutical companies, play the main role in how meth was introduced and the reason it is still abused today. The novel, by Nick Reding, titled Methland follows the effects of meth on a small town, but it also gives us insight in to how these three factors play a major role in the making, use, abuse, and distributing of this drug. This paper will follow the timeline of methamphetamine and what was going on in the economy as well as government action.

Once these laws took effect, and methamphetamine lab arrests increased, users began to start seeking alternatives to manufacturing the drug at home. Cartels and gangs, primarily from Mexico, started realizing that Florida was a large market to sell mass quantities of “ice” methamphetamine and began to traffic the pure clear crystalized drug to Central Florida. “The purity of crystal methamphetamine typically is over 80 percent, depending upon the amount of washing, the purity of the initial substance, and the experience of the laboratory operator. Crystal methamphetamine typically is administered by smoking using a glass pipe, although some abusers inject the drug.” (National Drug Intelligence Center,

Methamphetamine was created in Japan in 1919. It became widely used in World War 2. Kamikaze pilots would get high doses before their missions. Meth kept soldiers awake and focused. People started using in it the U.S. in the 1950’s as a diet drug. Meth was also known as the “soccer mom drug” because people could get their work done quickly and lose weight at the same time. Many people started taking the drug in high doses and began abusing the drug in the 1960’s. Methamphetamine became illegal in the 1970’s.

Methamphetamine: a synthetic drug with more rapid lasting effects than amphetamine, used illegally as a stimulant and as a prescription drug to treat narcolepsy and maintain blood pressure. Street Names: Meth, speed, crank, zip, chalk, ice, crystal. Drug Classification: Schedule II, stimulant. Methamphetamine has been around for quite a while, it takes it back to “Amphetamine,” which was made in 1887 in Germany and Methamphetamine a higher effect and easier to produce, it was developed in Japan in 1919. Some factors that contribute to Methamphetamine abuse went into wide use during WWII, to keep the troops awake. Furthermore, The Japanese Kamikaze pilots took high doses of speed before their suicide mission (Drugs and Controlled

Methamphetamine is a powerful and dangerous drug. It has the reputation as being a delightful and sneaky drug that robs your body of life. Although it has been around for over sixty years, it is only in the last 30 years that people have realized what a significant problem it has caused. Treatment for Methamphetamine remains mainly in the experimental stages and needs more research to find the exact treatment protocol.

Methamphetamine is a synthetic chemical, methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive synthetic stimulant that triggers the release of high levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Often called meth, ice, crystal or crank. The drug is a white, odorless bitter crystalline powder that can be snorted, injected, smoked or orally ingested (Methamphetamine 2014). Meth gives users an intense rush followed by an increase in energy, euphoria, increased libido and stamina (Methamphetamine 2014). People who use methamphetamine long-term may experience anxiety, confusion, insomnia, and mood disturbances and display violent behavior. They may also show symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, delusions (for example, the sensation of insects crawling under the skin), extreme weight loss, severe dental problems (“meth mouth”), and skin sores caused by scratching (Methamphetamine 2014).

Methamphetamine was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. There are a few accepted medical reasons for its use, such as the treatment of narcolepsy and ADD, but these uses are limited. In its regular form, methamphetamines are also known as speed, meth, and chalk. In its smoked form, it is known as ice, crystal, crank, and glass. Methamphetamine comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injected. The smokeable form of methamphetamine, knows as "ice," came into use in the 1980's. Ice is a large, usually clear crystal of high purity that is smoked in a glass pipe like crack/cocaine. The smoke is odorless, leaves a residue that can be re-smoked, and produces effects that my continue for 12 hours or more. Since there are a few accepted medical reasons for its use, methamphetamine is a controlled substance in the United States, and cannot be used legally without a doctor's approval. Methamphetamine abuse can also lead to legal, financial, and social problems. If methamphetamines are used during pregnancy, babies tend to be asocial, incapable of bonding, have tremors, have birth defects, and cry for 24 hours without stopping. There is also an increased risk of child abuse and neglect of children born to parents who use methamphetamines. WISC-TV reports, "There's a new drug moving into your neighborhood, reports WISC-TV. It's methamphetamine and it's one of the