Along with the surge of taking prescription drugs, so has the use of illegal methamphetamines. The use and production of meth has spread across the United States. This epidemic is turning rural areas into dangerous meth labs ready to blow up if not constructed correctly. Meth is unique because it is mostly produced domestically unlike most other drugs. This production lets people see first hand of the dangers of not only drug addiction but the impact that drug production has on communities. The spread of production and addictiveness of crystal methamphetamine make it a dangerous problem in America today.
Meth labs are not your normal drug lab. These labs can be made anywhere where the materials of household items are available. Usually they are constructed in rural areas of lower to middle class status. They can also be made in the back of vans. Meth labs are usually produced in low traffic areas or abandoned buildings (Methamphetamine FAQ). The equipment used is very portable and labs may not necessarily be in use for a long time before moving to a new location. Most operations are commonly small and might only include half a dozen people involved (Understanding Meth). Most methamphetamine users are usually addicts themselves, consuming most of the product produced and selling the excess to constantly buy new ingredients (Understanding Meth). Meth is usually produced in rural areas, but can also be found in empty housing or back areas of businesses. Due to the “small business” nature of meth labs the producers can’t really be considered large scale organized crime (Understanding Meth). Producers usually get the raw materials from local shops and hardware stores. The chemical composition of methamphetamine is C10H15N (Crystal M...
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"Meth Recipe Ingredients To Make Crystal Methamphetamine." Meth Recipe Ingredients To Make Crystal Methamphetamine. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. .
"Methamphetamine FAQ." FAQ about Methamphetamine. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. .
Meyer, Wayne. "Inspectors Beware: The Dangers of Meth Labs." March 2014. American Society of Home Inspectors, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
"Short-Term & Long-Term Impact & Deadly Effects of Meth Abuse & Addiction: Foundation for a Drug Free World." Short-Term & Long-Term Impact & Deadly Effects of Meth Abuse & Addiction: Foundation for a Drug Free World. Foundation for a Drug-Free World, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.
...tistical data put forth that the phenomenon of using and manufacturing methamphetamine is rising in our country. The state of Kentucky, particularly the rural areas, is being taken over by the use and manufacturing of meth. This phenomenon is largely costing the tax payers, as well as, putting our future generation in jeopardy. This author feels it is important for the Kentucky Legislative to look at the numbers, the cost and proper treatment in order to deal with this large problem correctly. Passing one law to decrease the manufacturing by less than ten percent isn’t enough.
among gangs, etc. The outcome of being addicted to crystal meth for to long will lead to death. This
Meth is not only highly addictive it is easily "cooked" in homes across the country. Unlike some drugs, which are derived from natural sources, meth includes an array of dangerous chemicals. These chemicals can include battery acid, rat poison and motor oil.
Methamphetamine created in 1919 in Japan. It went into wide use for both sides during World War II and it was especially used by Japanese pilots before their flights. Once the war was over, leftover storage of Methamphetamine went public resulting in extremely high amounts of abuse with this drug. During the 1950’s this drug was used as a diet aid and was also used in the thought that it helped to fight depression. It was also over used by college students, truck drivers, and athletes because of its easy availability. This pattern increased remarkably in the 1960’s when this drug became more available in an injectable form. The United States Government in the 1970’s made Meth, for most uses, illegal which then resulted in Mexican drug trafficking organizations to set up large labs in California. Today most of this drug that is available comes from Thailand, Myanmar, and China. (History of Methamphetam...
National Institute on Drug Abuse (2009). Preventing Drug Abuse: The Best Strategy . Retrieved October 21, 2011, from http://www.nida.nih.gov/scienceofaddiction/strategy.html
Drug abuse has changed over the years due to the trends that Americans face from the encouragement of different cultures. The abuse of substances creates many health problems. The following will discuss the past and current trends of drug use and the effects these drugs have on the health of the individuals who abuse the drugs.
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Watanabe-Galloway, S., Ryan, S., M.D., Hansen, K., M.P.H., Wullsiek B., B.A., Muli, V., M.P.A., & Malone, A.C. (2009). Effect of Methamphetamine abuse beyond individual users Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 4131, 241-8.Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/207970885?accountid=41057
"Red Bull Ingredients :: Energy Drink :: Red Bull." Energy Drink - Red Bull Products &Company :: Energy Drink :: Red Bull. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. .
"How Meth Destroys the Body." PBS.org. The Public Broadcasting Station, 17 May 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
Abuse can cause countless medical problems to the body. A person who is addicted will continue to stimulate themselves regardless if they are aware of the negative chain reactions. Once addicted, it becomes difficult to stop due to how the body has become dependent. Health will be harmed the more a stimulant is used. Health effects include: cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, lung disease, mental disease, birth defects. Mental health is what keeps a person in the right mind to make better decisions and have better control in life. Drugs have the ability to change mood and behavior. If drugs have affected the brain already, the desire increases which changes mental health. Some may not realize that they have been affected their health negatively. “A person who abuses drugs may not realize they have a problem until pronounced effects of drug abuse are seen, often physically. While drug abuse effects on the body vary depending on the drug used, all drug abuse negatively impacts one 's health (Addictions Community). Since drugs create many health issues, treatment is not a simple task. Treatments are hard to obtain and addictions often go
Office of the National Drug Control Policy. "National Survey on Drug Use and Health." May 2008. Print. 26 March 2014.