History of Meth Use

Methamphetamine, popularly shortened to "meth", is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug. It enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Because it simulates the mesolimbic reward pathway it causes euphoria and excitement, making it prone to abuse and addiction. It was first discovered in Japan in 1919 and because it is soluble in water it makes it a perfect candidate for injection. It is still legally produced in the United States under the name Desoxyn. In the 1960s, significant use of methamphetamine began and started to be created in the users' own homes. The recreational use of methamphetamine peaked in the 1980s and it is widely agreed that San Diego, California is the methamphetamine capital of North America. Trafficking and abuse of methamphetamine in the United States have been on the rise for the past few years. This drug is having a tragic impact on many communities throughout the country.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that can be manufactured by using products commercially available anywhere in the United States. The chemicals used are extremely volatile and the immature chemists run the makeshift laboratories, which are often found in hotels or areas where children are present, cause deadly explosions and fires. The byproducts of methamphetamine production are extremely toxic and harmful the environment. The stimulant effects of meth can last for hours instead of minutes, like other drugs. Often the user will remain awake for days. When the high begins to wear off, the user enters a stage called "tweaking". In this state they are prone to violence, delusions and paranoia. Some users try to alleviate the effects of the crash by taking other drugs such as cocaine or heroin. It has been estimated that 2.5% of the United States population had tried methamphetamine (1997). The drug continues to be more common in the Western parts of the United States, but it is a growing problem among all communities.