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 small, identified group of individuals. However, organized crime and gangs are now involved in the production that creates a significant ancillary crime activity rise. Statistically, methamphetamine users are most likely to be involved in violent crime, homicide and suicide.
The method of manufacture most commonly used takes the removal of a hydroxyl group from the [Beta] position of the ethylamine side chain of ephedrine. This removal results in the substance methamphetamine. Highly pure and stereospecific methamphetamine is the result of the use of pharmaceutical grade ephedrine such as may be found in common over the counter cold medicines. For this reason, many states and law enforcement have issued limits to the ability to purchase medicines using ephedrine. Another form of manufacture may utilize phenyl-2-propanone but this results in a product that contains contami...