Meth Production

Crystal Meth is said to be the post popular illicit drug in America today. One of the reasons for its popularity is its ease of access. Meth can be produced in a home-based lab by mixing about 15 different ingredients.

Lawsuitsearch.com provides a lot of information on the subject of meth production. It said that the primary ingredient of crystal meth is pseudo ephedrine which can be purchased over the counter at a local convenient store. Pseudo ephedrine is a remedy for the common cold. Drug makers mix this with red phosphorous, iodine and ammonia, paint thinner, ether, drain cleaner and the lithium from batteries. Many of these ingredients are dangerous and can cause explosions and fires.



I found a list of chemicals needed and equipment needed on streetdrugs.org

Common Chemicals Used to Make Methamphetamine:
Alcohol (Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol), Toluene (brake cleaner), Ether (engine starter), Sulfuric Acid (drain cleaner), Red Phosphorus (matches/road flares), Salt (table/rock), Iodine (teat dip or flakes/crystal), Lithium (batteries), Trichloroethane (gun scrubber), MSM (cutting agent), Sodium Metal, Methanol/Alcohol (gasoline additives), Muriatic Acid, Anhydrous Ammonia (farm fertilizer), Sodium Hydroxide (lye), Pseudoephedrine (cold tablets), Ephedrine (cold tablets), Acetone, Cat Litter

Typical Equipment Used to Make Methamphetamine:
Pyrex or Corning dishes (glass), Jugs/bottles, Paper towels, coffee filters, thermometer, cheesecloth, funnels, blenders, rubber tubing/gloves, pails/buckets, gas cans, tape/clamps, internet documents/notes, "How to Make Methamphetamine" books, Aluminum foil, Propane cylinders (20-lb), Hotplates, plastic storage containers/ice chests, measuring cups, towels/bed sheets, laboratory beakers/glassware

It has been reported that about $150.00 of materials can generate around $10,000.00 of Crystal Methamphetamine.

Effects on the Body

Crystal Meth has both physical and psychological effects on the body with short and/or long term consequences on health.

Stop Meth Addiction made a list of possible effects that meth can have on an individual.

Short Term:
Increased attention
Decreased fatigue
Increased activity
Decreased appetite
Euphoria and rush
Increased respiration
Hyperthermia

Long Term:
Dependence
Addiction psychosis
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Mood disturbances
Repetitive motor activity
Stroke
Weight loss



Meth use can also lead to cardiovascular problems which is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Crystal Meth, Help Website on Crystal Meth says that "Methamphetamine use causes increased heart rate and blood pressure. These include rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and irreversible, stroke-producing damage to small blood vessels in the brain. Chronic methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of the heart lining. Methamphetamine can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems including heart attacks, cardiovascular collapse and death."

Questions?

What is meth?
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America says that crystal Meth is a very pure, smokeable form of methamphetamine. It is a powerful and extremely addictive man-made stimulant. Its use can lead to severe physiological and psychological dependence.

What are some nicknames for crystal meth?
jib, crank, meth, crystal, ice, speed, chalk, glass

How is meth used?
Usually crystal meth is smoked in glass pipes, similar to how crack cocaine is used. It may be injected (either dry or dissolved in water), snorted, swallowed, or inserted into the anus or urethra.



Who uses crystal meth?
The National Drug Intelligence Center stated that crystal methamphetamine is used by individuals of all ages and is increasingly gaining in popularity as a club drug. It is difficult to determine how many individuals in the United States use crystal methamphetamine because most illicit drug use surveys do not distinguish between crystal methamphetamine and powdered methamphetamine. Those surveys that do draw such a distinction reveal that use of crystal methamphetamine is prevalent. According to the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Survey, nearly 5 percent of high school seniors in the United States used crystal methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime and 3 percent used the drug in the past year.

What are some physical signs that someone is using meth?
-Inability to sleep
-Increased sensitivity to noise
-Nervous physical activity, like scratching
-Irritability, dizziness, or confusion
-Extreme anorexia
-Tremors or even convulsions
-Violent behavior
-Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of stroke
-Presence of inhaling paraphernalia, such as razor blades, mirrors, and straws
-Presence of injecting paraphernalia, such as syringes, heated spoons, or surgical tubing

Where is crystal meth produced?
Crystal meth is made in illegal labs by chemically altering over-the-counter drugs.


What is a Tweaker?
The most dangerous stage of methamphetamine abuse occurs when an abuser has not slept in 3-15 days and is irritable and paranoid. This behavior is referred to as "tweaking," and the user is known as the "tweaker."

Are there any diseases related to meth use?
Crystal meth users who inject the drug expose themselves to additional risks, including contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne viruses.

What is the legal standing on meth?
Methamphetamine is illegal in all states and highly dangerous.

How long does it take to become addicted to meth?
Just once.

What is Crystal Meth?

The National Geographic produced a documentary on Crystal Meth. Lisa Ling takes an inside look into the meth epidemic...


To purchase the full copy of the documentary visit The National Geographic's online store


According to The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Crystal Meth is defined as "a very pure, smokeable form of methamphetamine. It is a powerful and extremely addictive man-made stimulant. Its use can lead to severe physiological and psychological dependence." It can be taken orally, intranasally (snorting the powder), by needle injection, or by smoking. Crystal Meth is a highly addictive stimulant with euphoric effects.

Methamphetamine is available with a prescription for obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and narcolepsy, but crystal meth is a street drug, made in illegal labs by chemically altering over-the-counter drugs (about.com). Meth use has both short and long-term effects on the body some of which take affect immediatly.

The Center for Substance Abuse Research says methamphetamine was derived from amphetamine in Japan in 1919. Both of these chemicals were originally used in nasal decongestants and in bronchial inhalers. Methamphetamine has also been used in the treatment of obesity. It first came to the United States in the 1930's. Use of the drug surged in the 1950's and 1960's, when users began injecting more frequently. The drug was outlawed as a part of the U.S. Drug Abuse and Regulation Control Act of 1970. Production and trafficking soared again in the 1990's in relation to organized crime in the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, currently, the most effective treatments are behavioral. Contingency management interventions, which provide tangible incentives in exchange for engaging in treatment and maintaining abstinence, have also been shown to be effective. There are no medications at this time approved to treat methamphetamine addiction; however, this is an active area of research for NIDA.

Crystal Meth Statistics

Over 1.4 million Americans tried Meth in 2006
Over 12.3 million Americans age 12 and older have tried Meth since 2003
Meth use is greatest amond 35-45 year olds
The biggest increase in treatment is among 18-25 year olds
Meth treatment admission has outpaced cocaine and herion in 14 US states
Meth currently sells for $12,000 to $16,000 per pound at he wholesale level