Methamphetamine is an amphetamine that has been used in

treating narcolepsy, Parkinson's Disease, and obesity. When used

illegally, this drug, which is also called crank, speed, ice, chalk,

crystal, and glass, may cause a person to be paranoid and violent.

Crank can be smoked, snorted, sniffed, injected, or swallowed, and

looks like a pill, powder, or clear chalk crystals.

The drug was first originally synthesized in 1887 by a German

Scientist. Meth was forgotten until the 1930's when it was

discovered that the drug could increase a person's blood pressure

and was helpful in lung congestion.

Meth is a very powerful stimulant. Very quickly the desire for the

drug surpasses other interests- including the need for food, sleep,

friends, sex, and family. The effects of this drug are long-lasting.

Food and water become unimportant after taking it. Seizures and

death can occur. Meth can cause: angry, hostile, and anxious

feelings, violent behaviors, confusion, mental illness, increased

physical activity, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, inability to

sleep, strokes can occur, chest pain, increased blood pressure,

irregular heart rate, aids and HIV through the use of needles,

dependence, tolerance, addiction, and can cause psychosis.

The use of Meth is going up. In 1995, 3.9% of high school

seniors had used it. That's an increase of 2.7% since 1990. 8 out of

10 people who try Meth will become addicted. Famous people who

have done Meth include- Chris Farley, John Belushi, and Mick

Jagger. The cost of doing Meth is very high too. A user can spend

up to $100 a day. And sometimes, spending $400-$500 to support

an addiction is not unusual. The penalties are very severe for those

caught with Meth. Possession of any quantity of Meth can carry up

to 7 years in prison. Distributing Meth carries a penalty of up to 15

years.

Meth has become one of the most commonly used illegal drugs in

the Midwest. Rural Missouri has become the Meth capital of the

world. In 1996, drug officers raided more than 236 Meth labs. Far

more than any other state. Many Meth labs blow up everyday.

About 20 percent of the Meth labs detected by the police are

discovered because the lab has exploded.