Description of the drug
Crystal meth popularly known as crystal methamphetamine is a type of drug that is labeled as an illegal drug. It has several most common used nicknames like:
- meth
- crank
- chalk or speed
Methamphetamine has a characteristic of a white crystalline powdered form. Users typically consume the drug via snorting it through the nose, smoking it or injecting it with a needle.
It develops the desire of the user to continuously use it because the drug creates:
- a false sense of happiness
- a rush strong feeling of confidence
- extreme activeness
- Energy
It is somehow used by individuals of all range of age, but it is most commonly used as a club drug taken while partying in night clubs or at rave parties.
History of the drug
Methamphetamine was first made way back in the year 1887 geographically located at Germany. It is crystalline powdered appearance and soluble in water, making it a perfect product for injection.
It went into widespread usage during the World War II, both sides used it to keep the troops awake. Preferably high doses were given to Japanese Kamikaze pilots. And after the war, they abuse it by injection that has reached epidemic. In the 1950s, methamphetamine was prescribed by physicians as a diet aid and to fight depression.
WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE MADE FROM?
This preferably appears in the form of a crystalline white powder that is:
- odorless
- bitter-tasting
- dissolves easily in water or alcohol.
There are other colors of powder that have been observed such as:
- brown
- yellow-gray
- orange
- pink
Crystal meth also comes in a compressed pill form and in clear chunky crystals that look like an ice.
PROCEDURES IN MAKING METHAMPHETAMINE
A methodical and exact approach to their production of crystal meth steps are:
- If the pseudoephedrine or ephedrine does not come in pure powdered form, it needs to be separated from the tablets of cold medicine that encase the drug. The cold medicine tablets are usually mixed with a solvent and the solution is filtered and exposed to low temperatures to separate and remove the inert material of the tablet.
- A pure pseudoephedrine is mixed with red phosphorus and hydriodic acid.
- The red phosphorus is then filtered out, and the remaining acid is usually neutralized by adding a lye solution.
- A substance is added that will bind to the meth, and the liquid meth is then drained out.
- Hydrogen chloride gas is bubbled through the liquid meth, to form a crystalline hydrochloride salt.
- Then it is poured through a filter cloth, and the meth that is left on the filter is then dried.
- Once the meth is dry it is “stepped on” then weighed and packaged for shipment or sale.
This type process generally takes about two days’ time and can result in hundreds of thousands of methamphetamine doses.
Signs and Symptoms
When an individual is under the influence of meth, he or she may present with any number of symptoms:
- Increased physical activity
- Increased blood pressure and breathing rate
- Elevated body temperature
- Dilated pupil
- Heavy sweating
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeplessness
- Paranoia or irritability
Effects of the Drug
Three categories of abuse are the following:
LOW-INTENSITY METH ABUSE:
Abusers usually swallow or snort methamphetamine. The person wants the extra stimulation it provides to them so they will be awake long enough in order to finish a task or a job. This put them at risk of using the drug in ‘binges’ (meaning uncontrolled use of a substance).
BINGE METH ABUSE:
Abusers usually smoke or inject the drug with a needle. In this method it allows them to receive a more intense dose of the drug and experience a stronger “rush” that is psychologically addictive. Its effect feels like they’re on the verge of moving into high-intensity abuse.
HIGH-INTENSITY METH ABUSE:
Abusers or addicts or often called as the speed freaks. Apparently, their whole existence merely focuses on preventing the crash is merely the painful letdown after the drug high. In order for the abusers or addict achieve their desired rush from the drug, they take more and more of it.
THE DEADLY EFFECTS OF METH
LONG-TERM EFFECTS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
- Severe tooth decay
- Disorientation
- Apathy
- Confused exhaustion
- Strong psychological dependence
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease
- stroke and epilepsy
- damage to blood vessels of heart and brain
- High blood pressure leading to heart attacks
- strokes and death
- Liver, kidney and lung damage
- Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
- Respiratory problems if smoked
- Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
- Nausea
- Bizarre
- Erratic
- Sometimes violent behavior
- Hallucinations
- Hyperexcitability
- Irritability
- Panic
- Psychosis
- Convulsions
- Seizures
- Death from high doses
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Dilation of pupils
- Disturbed sleep patterns