The Rural Drug : Methamphetamine

Most criminological research focuses on communities, where some assume and think that small towns are quite safe and crime-free environments. Meanwhile, using methamphetamine has become surrounded in rural parts of the country. In her book Methamphetamine: A Love Story, Rashi K. Shukla focused and enlightened on the understudied of poverty and drug abuse. Through her journey, she proves emotionally how meth has become the spotlight to the lives of some residents. In the process of uncovering how and why she participated in their drug using careers, Shukla tells how the lifestyle surrounding meth use becomes as addicting as the drug itself and highlights the unsustainability of meth addiction and the struggles

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.

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?

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

Methamphetamine is the most addictive drug used today. It appeals to people of all ages, and is not a respecter of person. It is creating a society with no future. Unless we as a society can contain and stop this issue, there will be no hope. What is the federal government doing to stop this problem? How are Pharmaceutical companies reacting to this issue? What are the effects on the general public? This is just some of the issues that were discussed in Frontline’s ‘The Meth Epidemic’ video. We will attempt to answer these questions throughout this paper.

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,

Crystal meth, we’ve might’ve heard of it from time to time, but what exactly is it? Crystal methamphetamine has become a widespread epidemic across the United States. Methamphetamine crosses all barriers in today’s society, culturally, socially, and economically. The abuse of this drug and its negative oral effects have become all too familiar amongst dentist and dental healthcare workers. Meth last much longer than crack cocaine and although it is much cheaper to purchase, it is much more hazardous and possibly even deadlier to process. The abuse of this drug leads its victims to have an accelerated physical appearance and devastating oral effects known as Meth Mouth.

Methamphetamine is a solid focal sensory system stimulant that is for the most part utilized as a recreational medication. Methamphetamine hydrochloride is endorsed by the United States Food and Drug Administration under the exchange name Desoxyn for consideration shortfall hyperactivity issue and heftiness in grown-ups and youngsters, and is at times recommended off name for narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. It is once in a while endorsed because of concerns including human neurotoxicity and its high potential for recreational use, among different concerns, and the accessibility of more secure substitute medications with practically identical treatment viability.

Ritalin and Adderall are two commonly prescribed medications for hyperactive disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methamphetamine is not even on the list of prescribed medication for ADHD. (NY Times, 2013). It is an outdated medical drug, and has limited medical usage. Most articles when describing meth’s medical usage has a few sentences about it can be used to treat ADHD or obesity. (EMCDDA, 2015). There are better forms of treatment available now with the advances in drug research and design for disorders that meth was previously prescribed for.

Commonly known as meth, crystal, and chalk, Methamphetamine is a Class A central nervous system stimulant and antidepressant, often used as a recreational drug. It belongs to the substituted phenethylamine chemical class, substituted amphetamine chemical class, and has a chemical formula of C10H15N. Though it can be used for medical purposes, it is very damaging to the body and brain, as it is a highly addictive and toxic drug that has a high potential for abuse, can leave life-long effects to any person who uses it, and may lead to severe psychological and physical dependence.

There is an associated impact in both the community or workplace change due to the use of meth. Generally, the use of meth leads to the physical improvement in both the community and the workplace environment. The other impact is that of leading to the mental state of individuals being deterred in a community or workplace set up. The following four sources support this thesis about meth.

Around 570,000 people die annually do to drug abuse, 20,000 of these deaths are from illegal drugs such as crystal methamphetamine. Crystal methamphetamine, also known as “meth,” “crank,” “chalk” or “speed” is one of the most, if not the most addictive drug to abuse. When using meth you develop a false sense of happiness and well-being, and automatically get a strong desire to continue using. Meth can be used by smoking it, snorting it, or injecting it into your body. some even consume it orally. Any way you decide to use it, it is going to ruin your life. Not only will it ruin your life it is going to ruin the lives of everyone that loves you.

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

History has shown us that crystal meth is among the most dangerous substances available for abuse. The possible effects of meth can be downright scary. That would include both the physical and psychological effects of the drug. It would take a brave or sick individual to continue using such a substance in the face of incurring such drastic changes to their body and mind.