Crystal Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is one of the United States' most commonly abused substances. Pacific Rim countries particularly Korea, Taiwan and Japan have also succumbed to major abuse of the drug. Epidemics of methamphetamine abuse in the United States began in the 1950s and were experienced through the 1960s and 1970s. Currently, the popularity of this drug may be traced to the early 1980s in the San Diego area of Southern California. Only recently has it spread to other portions of the United States.

The current epidemic of clandestine manufacturing of methamphetamine accounts virtually for the entire supply of the drug. The problems associated with abuse of methamphetamine spread beyond addiction to significant injuries to innocent citizens and emergency workers due to the nature of the illegal laboratories producing the drug. Illegal Disposal of unused chemicals or by-products from the manufacture is associated with significant environmental contamination. During the 1980s, clandestine laboratories were mostly small and highly mobile while being operated by a sm

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y negatively affect the central nervous system and lead to dementia,' said Glen R. Hanson, acting director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). 'This research suggests that we need to examine the possibility that there is a connection between methamphetamine use and a potential increase in HIV-related dementia,' he added. Other medical risks associated with Methamphetamine users are the transmission of hepatitis A. The CDC has issued a warning for Polk County, Florida where Meth users are "transmitting hepatitis A through sexual activity and shared drug paraphernalia, then exposing family members and others to the disease." (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly.ß May 20, 2002) The investigators of another study utilized positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure the level of dopamine D2 receptors in Meth users while assessing the rate of glucose metabolism. This is considered a sensitive measure of brain cell activity. The study found lower levels of dopamine receptors and a lower rate of glucose metabolism in the orbitofrontal cortex in the methamphetamine users over the non-drug users. "Methamphetamine's effect on dopamine system similar to that of cocaine and alcohol," was published in the December 200
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Approximate Word count = 1986
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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