Dope
Overview Methamphetamine is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, snorted, smoked, or ingested orally. Methamphetamine users feel a short yet intense "rush" when the drug is initially administered. The effects of methamphetamine include increased activity, decreased appetite, and a sense of well being that can last from 20 minutes to 12 hours. The drug has limited medical uses for the treatment of narcolepsy, attention deficit disorders, and obesity.1 Methamphetamine can easily be manufactured in clandestine laboratories using store bought materials and is the most prevalent synthetic drug manufactured in the United States. The ease of manufacturing methamphetamine and its highly addictive potential has caused the use of the drug to increase throughout the Nation. The methamphetamine problem was originally concentrated in the West but has spread throughout almost every major metropolitan area in the U.S. with the exception of the Northeast.2 Yaba, the Thai name for a tablet form of methamphetamine mixed with caffeine, is appearing in Asian communities in northern California and Los Angeles areas. These tablets are popular in Southeast and East Asia where they are produced. The tablets are small enough to fit in the end of a drinking straw and are usually reddish-orange or green with various logos. There are indications that methamphetamine tablets are becoming more popular within the rave scene because of the tablet's similar appearance to club drugs such as Ecstasy.3 Prevalence Estimates According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 5.3% (over 12 million people) of the U.S. population reported trying methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime. The highest rate of methamphetamine use was among the 26 to 34 age group, with 6.7% reporting lifetime methamphetamine use during 2002.4 Percentage Reporting Methamphetamine Use, by Age Group, 20025 Age Group Lifetime Annual Past 30 Days 12–17 1.5% 0.9% 0.3% 18–25 5.7 1.7 0.5 26–34 6.7 1.0 0.5 35 and older 5.5 0.3 0.1 12 and older (Total) 5.3 0.7 0.3 According to the 2002 Monitoring the Future Study, 6.7% of high school seniors reported using a methamphetamine within their lifetime. Lifetime use among 8th and 10th graders was 3.5% and 6.1%, respectively. Also during 2002, 4.7% of high school seniors reported using Ice, also known as crystal methamphetamine, within their lifetime.6 During 2002, 11.9% of college students and 14.8% of young adults (ages 19–28) reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes.