Methamphetamines: a Worldwide Epidemic

Who would believe that in the Heartland of America more clandestine meth labs are reported than anywhere else in the country? Since 2004, Missouri has had the highest number of meth lab seizures than any other state. This rising number of new meth labs is part of the reason that meth abuse is continuing to rise, not just in this country but, on the entire globe. While meth is relativity inexpensive to produce, the hazardous chemicals needed for production and their explosive properties is what concerns most citizens about having these clandestine meth labs springing up all over the country. These meth producers see the rewards worth any potential risk. With more and more of the drug produced every day, the growing number of new users is somewhat expected. There were 105,000 new users of meth in 2010. In the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) it was reported that 10.4 million people 12 years old and older have tried Crystal Meth at least once in their lifetime. While the use of illegal drugs continues to rise, Crystal Meth has surpassed many of them as the drug of choice.

While its origin is somewhat vague, one thing is certain—methamphetamine, or meth, has been around for approximately 100 years. Both Japan and Germany have been credited with the initial creation of the drug as early as 1893. Its wide use began during World War II when it was used to help keep troops awake. Kamikaze pilots were given high doses before their missions. Allied and Axis troops were given the drug to fight fatigue under the registered names of Pervitin, Isophan, and Philopon. This practice was discontinued because of the user’s inability to control their aggression (Grinspoon, Hedblom, 1975, p.18). It is suspected that Adolf Hitler may have been given methamphetamines through intravenous injections for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (Doyle, 2005). Methamphetamine was also used in bronchial dilators for the treatment of asthma because of its bronchodilating...