Essay, Research Paper: Meth 2

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.