FRONTLINE documentary uncovers US methamphetamine epidemic
According to the United Nations, methamphetamine (meth) is currently the most abused hard drug in the world. The U.N. estimates that there are approximately 26 million meth addicts across the globe. This amount is on par with the combined number of cocaine and heroin abusers worldwide. Meth is also the most addictive illegal drug in the United States. Researchers estimate that there are 1.4 million meth users in America.
In May 2011, Frontline — a news documentary series which airs on PBS conducted an investigation into methamphetamine abuse. The Meth Epidemic is a fifty-two minute documentary that chronicles the rise of meth usage and how state and federal entities have tried to intervene to prevent abuse of the highly addictive drug. The documentary explains how methamphetamine is a man-made drug. The main ingredients of meth are ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, chemicals that are found in over-the-counter allergy, cold, and cough medicines.
The human brain is not accustomed to the amount of dopamine released after a hit of meth. After continued use, the methamphetamine drug alters the part of the brain that controls dopamine. A damaging effect of meth is indicated when meth users are not on the drug they cannot feel pleasure from anything except by using more meth.
On March 9, 2006, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2006 (CMEA) was signed into law, as an amendment of the U.S. Patriot Act. The law places limits on all forms of ephedrine sold at retail stores.
In May 2011, Frontline — a news documentary series which airs on PBS conducted an investigation into methamphetamine abuse. The Meth Epidemic is a fifty-two minute documentary that chronicles the rise of meth usage and how state and federal entities have tried to intervene to prevent abuse of the highly addictive drug. The documentary explains how methamphetamine is a man-made drug. The main ingredients of meth are ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, chemicals that are found in over-the-counter allergy, cold, and cough medicines.
In addition to ephedrine, meth cooks add anhydrous ammonia (primarily used as an agricultural fertilizer & industrial refrigerant), lye, and red phosphorus (a chemical used in matches) to produce the drug. Most of the methamphetamine used in the U.S. comes from foreign and domestic superlabs and not from individual makers.
Methamphetamine usage began in the 1970s as a fad drug among West Coast motorcycle gangs. Usage of the drug travelled from California and Oregon to the Midwest and more recently the drug has reached the East Coast of America. The drug has devastating effects. Meth causes the users’ blood vessels to constrict which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and even death. According to the Frontline documentary, “In Oregon, a staggering 85 percent of property crime, as well as a majority of muggings, car thefts and identity thefts, have been linked to the drug.”
On the street, meth is also referred to as crank, crystal, glass, ice, speed, and Tina. Regardless of the name used for the drug, meth is an extremely addictive synthetically made product that when used causes the brain to release dopamine. When the dopamine is released the drug user feels a mental high that can last for several hours. Dopamine is the primary pleasure chemical in the brain. Methamphetamine can be injected, orally ingested, smoked, or snorted.The human brain is not accustomed to the amount of dopamine released after a hit of meth. After continued use, the methamphetamine drug alters the part of the brain that controls dopamine. A damaging effect of meth is indicated when meth users are not on the drug they cannot feel pleasure from anything except by using more meth.
On March 9, 2006, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2006 (CMEA) was signed into law, as an amendment of the U.S. Patriot Act. The law places limits on all forms of ephedrine sold at retail stores.
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