What is Methamphetamine?

Amphetamine was first introduced into medical practice in the 1930's as nasal decongestant. Soon after the introduction of amphetamine-related drugs in medicine, however, people discovered their euphoric effect and began to abuse them. In the years immediately following World War II, for instance, the Japanese government made enormous amounts of amphetamines -- used during wartime to prevent sleepiness -- available to the public. Japan subsequently had a major outbreak of amphetamine abuse, especially among young people.

Abuse of this stimulant remained a relatively minor problem in the United States until the enormous upsurge of drug abuse in the 1960's. The drug methamphetamine, for example, know by the street term "speed," became a favored drug because it could be manufactured more easily than other, related drugs. This form of speed is a very powerful stimulant, giving the user lots of energy.

Methamphetamine may be smoked in either rock or powder form, "snorted" through the nose with a straw or a rolled up dollar bill, or injected directly into a vein. Lab analysis of methamphetamine today reveals a product that is as high as 97-99% pure. Smoking methamphetamine allows it to reach the brain in about 6 seconds -- twice as fast as when injected. It enters directly into the lungs before entering the left side of the heart; from there it is pumped to all areas of the body and brain. Initially, a methamphetamine high from smoking can last up to twelve hours. After the drug wears off, there is a severe crash as the user's blood levels drop. As the body's tolerance for the drug increases, it takes stronger and stronger doses to get the same high.

The drug, which is commonly called crank, speeds up the heart rate, giving users a 'rush,' before crashing them into a violence-prone depression as the effects of the drug wear off. The drug allows students to stay awake for all-nighters and graveyard-shift employees to stay busy on the job. Addicts have been known to stay awake for extremely long periods of time (1 to 2 weeks straight), resulting in some very violent behavior.

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 amphetamines 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 obesity; but these medical uses are limited.

Paraphernalia

Mirrors, razor blades, straws, small plastic tubes (used to "snort" speed), oddly-folded pieces of paper (used to store speed), small plastic bags (around 1" square), glass vials, glass pipes.

Common Nicknames for Speed

Crystal, crank, meth, go, gofast, sketch, go-go, jet fuel, rocket fuel, junk, wake up, zoom, sh_t, ice, gank, cridium, stuff, tweek, glass, dope, lines, and glass.