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Methamphetamine & Methamphetamine information
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that
dramatically affects the central nervous system. The drug is made
easily in clandestine laboratories with relatively inexpensive
over-the-counter ingredients.
These factors combine to make methamphetamine a drug with high
potential for widespread abuse.
Methamphetamine is commonly known as "speed," "meth," and
"chalk." In its smoked form it is often referred to as "ice,"
"crystal," "crank," and "glass." It is a white, odorless,
bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or
alcohol.
The drug was developed early in this century from its parent
drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants
and bronchial inhalers. Methamphetamine's chemical structure is
similar to that of amphetamine, but it has more pronounced effects
on the central nervous system.
Like amphetamine, it causes increased activity, decreased
appetite, and a general sense of well-being. The effects of
methamphetamine can last 6 to 8 hours. After the initial "rush,"
there is typically a state of high agitation that in some
individuals can lead to violent behavior.
Methamphetamine is a Schedule II stimulant, which means it has a
high potential for abuse and is available only through a
prescription that cannot be refilled. There are a few accepted
medical reasons for its use, such as the treatment of narcolepsy,
attention deficit disorder, and -- for short-term use -- obesity;
but these medical uses are limited.
What is the scope of methamphetamine use in the
United States?
Methamphetamine abuse, long reported as the dominant drug problem
in the San Diego, CA, area, has become a substantial drug problem in
other sections of the West and Southwest, as well. There are
indications that it is spreading to other areas of the country,
including both rural and urban sections of the South and Midwest.
Methamphetamine, traditionally associated with white, male,
blue-collar workers, is being used by more diverse population groups
that change over time and differ by geographic area.
According to the 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, an
estimated 4.9 million people (2.3 percent of the population) have
tried methamphetamine at some time in their lives. In 1994, the
estimate was 3.8 million (1.8 percent), and in 1995 it was 4.7
million (2.2 percent).
Data from the 1996 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), which
collects information on drug-related episodes from hospital
emergency departments in 21 metropolitan areas, reported that
methamphetamine-related episodes decreased by 39 percent between
1994 and 1996, after a 237 percent increase between 1990 and 1994.
There was a statistically significant decrease in
methamphetamine-related episodes between 1995 (16,200) and 1996
(10,800).
However, there was a significant increase of 71 percent between
the first half of 1996 and the second half of 1996 (from 4,000 to
6,800).
NIDA's Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG), an early warning
network of researchers that provides information about the nature
and patterns of drug use in major cities, reported in its June 1997
publication that methamphetamine continues to be a problem in Hawaii
and in major Western cities, such as San Francisco, Denver, and Los
Angeles. Increased methamphetamine availability and production are
being reported in diverse areas of the country, particularly rural
areas, prompting concern about more widespread use.
Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Use is on the
Rise
Short-term effects of methamphetamine
- increased attention
- decreased fatigue
- increased activity
- decreased appetite
- euphoria and rush
- increased respiration
- hyperthermia
Long-term effects of methamphetamine
- dependence
- addiction psychosis
- paranoia
- hallucinations
- mood disturbances
- repetitive motor activity
- stroke
- weight loss
What is ice?
The chemical methamphetamine hydrochloride is generally just
known as methamphetamine. Common street names for methamphetamine
include crank, speed, meth, crystal meth, and crystal tea. It has
been a popular drug of abuse for many years in the United States in
its conventional, powdered form, which is usually snorted, ingested,
or injected.
Methamphetamine hydrochloride is processed to produce a potent,
smokable form of methamphetamine known as "glass" or "ice". This
substance is called "ice" because it resembles rock candy or a chip
of ice.
How does ice compare to crack?
Ice is a potent, smokable form of methamphetamine, while crack is
a potent form of freebase cocaine. The substances are smoked in a
similar fashion and both provide the user with an immediate, intense
high and increased alertness. Users refer to the sensation from
smoking ice as "amping", as in an "over-amped wire", because of the
amplified euphoria it gives them.
Unlike the 15-minute high produced from using crack, the high
from smoking ice can last from 8 to 24 hours.
Where does ice come from?
In contrast to cocaine, which is derived from the refined leaves
of the South American coca plant and then imported, ice is
synthesized in a chemical laboratory. Crack is usually packaged in
glass or plastic vials and sold in small quantities of 300-500 mg.
Ice is normally packaged in a penny-size plastic bag called a
"paper".
How is ice used?
Ice is used by placing the substance in a glass pipe, heating it,
and inhaling the resulting vapors. The vapors enter the bloodstream
directly through the lungs and are rapidly transported to the brain.
When ice is heated, its solid crystals turn to liquid. When it
cools, ice reverts to its solid state and is therefore reusable.
Since ice is odorless, it can easily be used in public without being
detected. In addition to its use for recreational purposes, ice is
often used in the workplace to increase alertness. Some users smoke
ice for days at a time and then "crash" in a deep sleep lasting 24
hours or more. Also see
Homemade Drugs: Methamphetamine Menace Fastest Rising Drug Threat For help with drug abuse phone
1-800-893-7060.
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