Often, when people think of methamphetamine usage and abuse, they consider it a recent problem, something born from the disco era of the 70s. Powerful, fast, and addictive many think that once you are hooked, you’re hooked for life. Some argue that this is the case, that meth is one of the hardest substances to recover from; others could argue that this is the case with any addiction.
While it is true that methamphetamine is more of a problem in recent decades, “meth” itself is not a new drug at all. Amphetamine was created by Germany in the late 1800’s and methamphetamine, which is usually more potent and much easier to make, was created in Japan in 1919. Wide use of methamphetamine occurred during World War 2 when both sides used it to keep soldiers alert and awake. Later, in the 1950’s methamphetamine was used as a dietary aide and to help fight against depression (Foundation for a Drug-Free World, 2013).
Use of meth continued and spread as it was readily available until the 1970’s when the US Government passed legislation that criminalized most uses. It was during this time that motorcycle gangs began to take over control of production and distribution. Meth was widely used in the rural areas of the country as it was cheaper to afford than other stimulants such as cocaine. During the 1990s meth production increased by Mexican drug organizations in California and found wider production among users in their own private labs (Foundation for a Drug-Free World, 2013).
Methamphetamine has many “nicknames” such as meth, crank, speed, chalk, tweak, and chalk. Crystal meth, a form of the drug, is often referred to as crystal, glass, ice, quartz, and hot ice. Users take meth by various methods which can include snorting, smoking, in...
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This particular drug couples society with many damaging effects. Society is put in great danger with Methamphetamine users integrated amongst the other population. Children playing in parks and other recreational areas are at risk for exposure to needles left from users. Children who live in homes where there is methamphetamine use or production are at risk for exposure to the drug. Exposure to the toxic substance could cause developmental impairments and ultimately could be life threatening. Children are again put in the crossfire of Methamphetamine when they lose a parent due to a lethal dose, or a parent goes to jail. Many states have formed a Drug Endangered Children’s Program; this program has fought to change Legislation. Due to DEC many states have made extra efforts to protect children from Methamphetamine, unfortunately Kentucky is not a state involved in this program.
Frontline’s “The Meth Epidemic,” is a shocking documentary that exposes the dangerous effects of meth and explores the cultural patterns related to meth addiction. Understanding the severity of the effects of meth and how it is made are two important lessons to take away from this video because understanding those two things will help us to better understand how to combat this epidemic. Two effects of meth addiction are an increase in property crimes and an increase in the number of children entering foster care. Shockingly, half of the inmates in Portland jails were meth users, and meth addicts commit 80% of the property crimes in Oregon. These statistics show how meth can not only negatively affect an individual and a family, but a whole community.
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crystal meth. Crystal meth is considered a strong narcotic in which is classified in the same class as
Meth is not only highly addictive it is easily "cooked" in homes across the country. Unlike some drugs, which are derived from natural sources, meth includes an array of dangerous chemicals. These chemicals can include battery acid, rat poison and motor oil.
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Methamphetamine created in 1919 in Japan. It went into wide use for both sides during World War II and it was especially used by Japanese pilots before their flights. Once the war was over, leftover storage of Methamphetamine went public resulting in extremely high amounts of abuse with this drug. During the 1950’s this drug was used as a diet aid and was also used in the thought that it helped to fight depression. It was also over used by college students, truck drivers, and athletes because of its easy availability. This pattern increased remarkably in the 1960’s when this drug became more available in an injectable form. The United States Government in the 1970’s made Meth, for most uses, illegal which then resulted in Mexican drug trafficking organizations to set up large labs in California. Today most of this drug that is available comes from Thailand, Myanmar, and China. (History of Methamphetam...
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The most commonly abused substances are Nicotine, Inhalants, Alcohol, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Prescription medications, Heroin, Ecstasy and Marijuana. 1a(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011) Initially, a person may find themselves using substances voluntarily and with confidence that they will be able to dictate their personal use. However, over the period of time that drug use is repeated, changes are taking place throughout the brain, whether it is functionally or structurally. Drugs contain chemicals that enter the communication system of the brain and disturb the way in which nerve cells would typically send, receive, and process information. The chemicals within these drugs will cause a disruption to the communication system by either imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers or by over-stimulating the brains “reward system” by sending mass amounts of dopamine. As an individual prolongs his or her use of these substances, they may develop an addiction.
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Drug abuse and addiction not only has negative effects in the lives of the people involved, but also in the lives of their close relatives, friends and immediate society. It leads to disintegration, failure in school, loss of employment and violence. Although intake of drugs is a voluntary and conscious decision initially, continuous intake of drugs changes the brain and challenges the self-control of the “addicted person” and inhibits the ability to resist extreme desire for drug intake.