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Crystal meth is one of many nicknames for methamphetamine and crystal meth usually refers to the smokable form of the drug. Crystal meth is a powerful nervous system stimulant that is made in illegal "labs" from cheap, over the counter ingredients. This makes crystal meth easy and inexpensive to make and get. This has made crystal meth a widespread problem in the United States and many people have found themselves addicted to this powerful drug. Crystal meth is known by many names such as "ice," "speed," "meth," "crank," "glass," and others but often has the same disastrous results on the individual taking the drug.

Crystal meth is a white powder that tastes bitter but is odorless in its powdered form. The drug can be snorted, smoked, injected or swallowed to deliver the high. Like its cousin amphetamine, meth- amphetamine or crystal meth increases activity, decreases appetite and can last up to 6 to 8 hours. Crystal meth causes an initial rush that the brain receives as a reward and the following high is a heightened state of awareness and agitation that can lead to violent and erratic behavior. For these reasons crystal meth in its pharmaceutical form is used rarely for obesity, narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder but the prescriptions are closely monitored by a medical professional and not refillable.

Crystal meth users develop an instant tolerance to the drug causing a constant need to take more and more of the drug. Tolerance is when the body adapts to the effects of the drug and compensates to limit the effects so that more and more of the drug is needed to have the same pleasurable effect on the body. Crystal meth, like most drugs, stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain which activates the brains pleasure center. The brain reinforces this reward system and addiction evolves from the continuous need to stimulate the brains reward system.

Addiction is what causes crystal meth users to center their lives around the drug and why many will stay awake for days or even weeks doing little else but smoking, snorting, or shooting the drug. Addiction is a physical condition that has been recognized and classified as a disease. Like any disease it cannot be cured by simple willpower and is aided by medical supervision and treatment.

A drug with immense abuse potential, methamphetamine (known on the street as "speed," "meth," "crank," "crystal-meth," and "glass") is a central nervous system stimulant of the amphetamine family. Like cocaine, it is a powerful "upper" that produces alertness, and elation, along with a variety of adverse reactions. The effects of methamphetamine, however, are much longer lasting then the effects of cocaine, yet the cost is much the same. For that reason, methamphetamine is sometimes called the "poor man's coke."

As with many drugs, methamphetamine, if prescribed by a physician, is legally available in the

United States

for the treatment of attention deficit disorders and obesity. Unfortunately, much of the methamphetamine available on the street is illicit methamphetamine from clandestine laboratories in the

United States

.

Production originally concentrated in clandestine labs throughout the Western and Southwestern United States , but has spread to the Central United States and beyond. In addition to the clandestine laboratories in the United States , organized crime groups in Mexico appear responsible for increased methamphetamine production on both sides of the border during the 1990's.

WHAT METH IS

The processing required to make methamphetamine from precursor substances is easier and more accessible than ever. An investment of a few hundred dollars in over-the-counter medications and chemicals can produce thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine. The drug can be made in a makeshift "lab" that can fit into a suit- case. The average meth "cook" annually teaches ten other people how to make the drug.

Over-the-counter cold and asthma medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, red phosphorous, hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner, battery acid, lye, lantern fuel, and antifreeze are among the ingredients most commonly used.

Precursors are substances that, in nature, might be inactive. However, when combined with another chemical the result is a new product. Methamphetamine starts with an inactive or marginally-inactive compound (ephedrine or pseudoephedrine) and other chemicals are added to produce the drug. Some of those include:

Teens think this stuff is fun, or that it will help them lose weight, or stay up to study. By the time they find out the truth for themselves, they're lost. If just one more person thinks twice about trying meth, then we've accomplished something.

The toxic, acidic ingredients that make up crystal methamphetamine cause a condition known as "meth mouth," characterized by rampant tooth decay, gum disease and cracks in teeth. Teeth can be decayed all the way down to the gum line. Drug abusers don't salivate, resulting in inability to maintain gum hygiene and resist gum infection. Saliva washes away any dental contamination, like sugar, or foodstuffs that would contribute to bacterial growth or erode teeth. Decreased salivary flow, long binges of neglect, no hygiene and not eating properly all play a part in decaying the teeth. It sets the mouth up so you have this very aggressive form of tooth decay.

Besides the loss of saliva, lifestyle choices meth users make in terms of hygiene, nutrition, taking care of themselves, getting high and passing out, all add to the problem. Poor oral hygiene, high sugar, high-carbonate drinks and binging are part of the pattern of drug abuse. Meth users tend to have a higher rate of cardiac problems with potential for stroke, vascular and psychological problems.

It's sad, they didn't feel any pain when they were doing drugs, years later they finally see how it hurt them.

Cocaine, crack, crank, amphetamines give a temporary illusion of enhanced power & energy. As the initial elevation of mood fades, however, a depression emerges. Stimulant abuse can lead to serious medical problems:

Cocaine use during pregnancy may result in miscarriages, stillbirths, or low-birth-weight babies who may be physically dependent on the drug & later may develop behavioral or learning difficulties. Excessive crack use can lead to a permanent vegetative, or zombie-like, state. Long-term amphetamine abuse can result in psychotic effects, such as paranoid delusions & hallucinations.