The History Of Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is one of the most dangerous and addictive illicit drugs currently being abused. People who use it seek effects including euphoria, enhanced sociability, and heightened sex drive. However, heavy usage brings grave consequences. Meth use can cause cardiovascular damage, rotting teeth, and even schizophrenia. Understanding where it comes from, how it is manufactured, and why people use it is essential for communities to raise awareness and curb their addiction problems.

Like most drugs, meth was developed for non-recreational purposes. Japanese chemists first manufactured the drug from ephedrine an alkaloid derived from the ma huang herb in 1893. A quarter-century later, they synthesized the now-common crystallized form of the drug.

In 1943, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved pharmaceutical grade crystal meth for the treatment of a variety of ailments including alcoholism, depression, and nasal congestion. Even before then, however, athletes and recreational drug users had begun consuming meth for its strong stimulant effects. When World II began, infantrymen and pilots in Germany, Japan, and the United States used meth for enhanced alertness in combat.

When the war ended, Americas vast military surpluses of the drug became readily available to civilians. Students, truck drivers, and others who sought alertness and hyperactivity began to use the drug in droves. Many people even began using it for weight loss.

These patterns of legal consumption began to change in the 1960s. Researchers developed an injectable form of meth which like most intravenous drugs proved to be far more dangerous and addictive than its ingestible and inhalable counterparts. In 1970, Congress all but banned methamphetamine with the Controlled Substances Act. The drug is still available by prescription for treatment of attention deficit disorder and certain cases of obesity, but its recreational and stimulatory uses are strictly prohibited.

Because of its illegality, meth is now produced in small home laboratories across the United States. Just as it was originally synthesized from ephedrine, it is now produced from small quantities of pseudoephedrine and other ephedrine-containing medications. These medications themselves were readily available over the counter until recently. Over the last decade, lawmakers seeking to cut off the supply of chemical ingredients to meth producers have made pseudoephedrine and other common nasal decongestants increasingly difficult to obtain. Most states place strict limits on the amount of ephedrine people can buy each month, and pharmacies typically demand to see drivers licenses or other government identification for its purchase.

Still, drug dealers prove relentless in seeking out raw ingredients and manufacturing meth in clandestine laboratories. Large shipments of both ephedrine and finished methamphetamine continue to make their way into the United States from Mexico. Users and dealers alike have also developed quicker and simpler ways of producing the drug in makeshift labs.

The substances produced in such labs are even more dangerous than pharmaceutical-grade meth, as they tend to contain high levels of contaminants. Since people use bathtubs, sinks, and other imprecise containers to produce meth, dosages are also unknown. Overdose is extremely common among meth addicts because they seldom realize how much they are really taking.

Overall, methamphetamines present a grave danger to communities across the United States. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to meth or other drugs, follow the links below for a toll-free, no-obligation consultation. Take the first step on the road to recovery today.