Methamphetamine
is an extremely
addictive drug. It goes by street names such as speed, meth, ice, crystal, and glass. It comes in two forms. One is a white,
odorless, unpleasant tasting powder that can be taken orally, by snorting or
injecting. The other is a rock form, usually known a crystal meth, which is
heated and then smoked (Methamphetamine, 2013).
"There are a whole variety of reasons to try methamphetamine," explains Dr. Richard Rawson, associate director of UCLA's Integrated Substance Abuse Programs. "However, once they take the drug … their reasons are pretty much the same: They like how it affects their brains." Users have explained the feeling they get as a sudden rush of pleasure that lasts for several minutes, followed by a euphoric high that lasts between six and 12 hours, and it is the result of the drug causing the brain to release large quantities of the chemical dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls pleasure. "All drugs of abuse cause the release of dopamine, even alcohol and nicotine", explains Rawson, "but methamphetamine produces the mother of all dopamine releases (How meth destroys the body, 2011)."
History of the Drug
Methamphetamine was developed in Japan in 1919. In went into wide use during World War II because troops, particularly pilots, used it to stay awake. After the war, abuse reached extreme highs when the methamphetamine supply for the military became available to the Japanese public (History of methamphetamine, 2013). Many soldiers returning from war were addicted and continued use at home.
In the United States, in 1950s, methamphetamine was prescribed as a diet aid and to battle depression. Because it was easily available, some college students, truck drivers and athletes used it recreationally. The abuse continued to spread. By 1970, the US government realized the consequences of the drug and deemed it an illegal drug. Motorcycle gangs then controlled most of the production and distribution. By the 1990s, Mexican drug traffickers set up large meth labs in parts of California. Over time continuing into today, small meth labs have been set up in apartments, basements, and even kitchens because meth is now very easy to make (History of methamphetamine, 2013). By 2007, recipes to make the drug could be found on the Internet. All a "cook" needs is to get his or her hands on pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient that can be found in many cold medicines. Since pseudoephedrine was so easy to obtain, states began to
pass legislation aimed at knocking out these small labs by making medicines with pseudoephrine prescription-only or limiting the quantity allowed to be purchased. Problems
with small labs and crime had seen a reduction (Methamphetamine today, 2012). The actions of the government have helped to reduce the ease of use. However, based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Heath done in 2009, 1.2 million Americans age 12 and older had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed (Methamphetamine, 2013). Methamphetamine addiction and use is still a large problem that is affecting many lives, not only in the United States, but in many countries all over the world.
My Thoughts
I knew a good amount about methamphetamine before conducting this research. I know and have seen what meth can do to a person and their family. The news, television shows, the Internet, and other forms of media have exposed me to the real consequences of this drug and many others. Because of everything I know, I cannot help but to question "Why would anyone want to try meth?" As Dr. Richard Rawson states in his quote, people do it for a variety of reasons. My life has never put me in a situation where this drug would ever be considered. I am honestly shocked to see that so many Americans have recently used meth. I can understand how this trend had started. Back when this drug was used for military purposes, its symptoms and consequences were not fully known. As time progressed and the drug spread, the research on the drug has increased. Since more laws have been instated, more drug awareness is present and rehab clinics are more readily available, one can hope that methamphetamine use will dramatically decrease over the coming years.
Government Influence:
Resources:
History of methamphetamine. (2013). Retrieved from
How meth destroys the body. (2011). Retrieved from
Methamphetamine. (2013). Retrieved from
Methamphetamine today. (2012). Retrieved from
I found that it was every interesting that the Japanese created Methamphetamine for the pilots during that war. I also agree with you that i do not understand how people can ruin their lives.
ReplyDeleteThis was a well-written, informative post.
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