Methamphetamine
Patty Chenevey
Kate Mahoney
Ben Lohr
Introduction
Methamphetamine is such a huge problem
for New Mexico and its residents
This presentation will provide the history,
methods of production, distribution and
use, the biological and physical effects,
the mechanisms and medical uses and the
recovery process of the drug.
History
Synthesized in 1887
In 1930’s meth was marketed over the
counter for nasal congestion
In 1937, available by prescription in pill
form
Used in WWII to keep the troops going
In 1950’s Dexedrine and Methedrine were
used by truck drivers, students and
athletes non-medically
History
Widely prescribed in the 1950’s and 60’s
for depression and obesity
1970 – Controlled Substance Act was
passed severely restricting the legal
production of the injectable drug
Schedule II drug under federal regulations,
meaning it has a high potential for abuse
and dependence
Effect on New Mexico
Most of the methamphetamine is
smuggled across the border from Meixco
Locally produced is also available
Most seizures occur on interstate
highways and in the Four Corners Area
Death rate in 2006-2007: (1.8 per
100,000)
44 people died of methamphetamine in
2007
Effect on New Mexico
Bernalillo county is the county with the
most deaths
Small towns have most occurrence of
meth labs
Since 2001, roughly 20 methamphetamine
labs have been busted a year
30% of meth lab busts have children on
the scene
Production & Distribution
Produced most commonly using the
ephedrine/pseudoephedrine reduction
method
Large scale production in California and
Mexico, which is then smuggled into the
country
Production & Distribution
The production is difficult and has caused
explosions, fires, fumes and irreparable
damage to people and the environment
Methods of Use
Meth is a central nervous system stimulant
can be snorted, smoked, or injected
Injection causes the strongest effect
Can be combined with household
materials like drain cleaner, battery acid
and antifreeze
Methods of Use
Can be combined with heroin into a “meth
speedball"
“Biker's coffee" a combination of
methamphetamine and coffee
Smoked out of glass pipes or in aluminum
foil heated by flame
Effects of the High
The high experience lasts from four to
sixteen hours
As the high begins to wear off, the
methamphetamine user enters a stage
called "tweaking," in which he or she is
prone to violence, delusions, and paranoia
Effects of the High
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euphoria
hyperexcitability
extreme nervousness
accelerated heartbeat
increased blood pressure
vasoconstriction
pupil dilation
hyperglycemia
formication – ‘crank bugs’, the
user hallucinates bugs
crawling on their skin and try to
scratch them off causing open
sores
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sweating
dizziness
fatigue
restlessness
insomnia
tooth grinding
incessant talking
irritability
Aggressiveness
increased alertness
increased energy
decreased appetite
Paranoia
auditory and visual
hallucinations
Effects of the High
Effects of the High
 Prolonged high does produces anxiety
reactions, fearfulness, concern about well-being,
hallucinations, suspicion, depression, suicidal
thoughts
 Attack on immune system which leads to
infections due to malnutrition, sleep deprivation,
etc.
 Tooth decay
 Lung Damage
 Deteriorating nasal cartilage when snorted
Biological Effects
Onset can be immediate (in the case of
injection), or can take as long as 30-40
minutes if ingested orally
Will stay in the plasma between 4 to 6
hours
A toxic reaction (or overdose) can occur at
relatively low levels, 50 milligrams of pure
drug for a non-tolerant user
Biological Effects
Children of MA abusers are at risk of
neglect and abuse
Use of MA by pregnant women can cause
growth retardation, premature birth, and
developmental disorders in neonates and
enduring cognitive deficits in children
Biological Effects
Brain Effects:
Causes the release of high levels of dopamine
creating an intense rush of pleasure or
prolonged sense of euphoria
Over time, meth destroys the wiring in the
brain's pleasure centers (dopamine receptors)
making it impossible to feel pleasure
Biological Effects
Brain Effects:
When addicts take meth over and over again,
their brain chemistry is modified
Studies have demonstrated that these tissues
can grow back over time, the process can take
years, and the repair might never be complete
Biological Effects
Structural changes to the brain
Biological Effects
Structural changes to the brain
Medical Uses
Used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)
Used to treat obesity after other diets or
medications have been tried without
successful weight loss
Recovery
 Low glucose metabolism in brain regions
 Meth addicts are the hardest to treat and need
the most time for recovery
 Withdrawal symptoms:
extreme fatigue
insomnia
mental depression
dangerous psychotic reactions
high anxiety
flu like symptoms
cravings
Results and Discussion
- What was learned overall
Reasons for Meth’s detrimental effects:
 It is a potent neurotoxin
 High level of potential for abuse
 Its capability to inflict irreparable damage on
the human body
All the dangers that encompass manufacturing
it such as fires and poisonous vapors
Abuse and neglect of children that have
parents or caretakers who are meth addicts
Results and Discussion
- What was learned overall
Reasons for Meth’s detrimental effects
(CTD)
The methyl group on meth is responsible for
increasing this drug’s toxicity
This methyl group makes it more lipophilic,
therefore enhancing its ability to penetrate
the blood brain barrier and boosting its
stability against MAO degradation
The next slide is meth and this methyl group
is attached to the nitrogen represented in
purple
Results and Discussion
- What was learned overall
Results and Discussion
- What was learned overall
The benefits of Meth:
 The only advantages to meth are concentrated
in the medical field and the treatment of
specific ailments
 The less potent demethylated parent
compound of meth is amphetamine, which
can be used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy
Results and Discussion
- What the authors were trying to
convey
Based on research conducted, the
authors’ overall goals were to express the
negative side of meth, due to the fact the
benefits of meth are greatly out-numbered
compared to the drawbacks
However, some authors were researching
how methamphetamine derivatives can be
used to benefit people
Summary and Conclusions
In general this presentation was designed
to inform the viewer of a multitude of
deleterious side effects surrounding meth
abuse
Also, its effects on target tissues (CNS)
and the mechanism of action should be
noted
Summary and Conclusions
Lastly, emphasis on the high potential for
abuse and the problems recovering
addicts have should not be overlooked
Summary and Conclusions
- Use of Our Results
A great way to utilize our results could be
in awareness and education
Making the general public aware (or more
aware) of a drug can have profound
affects on decreasing the incidence of
abuse
Our results could also be used as a basis
for further research into the medical
benefits of methamphetamine and its
derivative compounds
Summary and Conclusions
- Future Research
Future research should be directed
towards medicine
The recovery process from meth is one of
the hardest out of all drugs, so finding
ways to make recovery faster and easier
could benefit the medical community
Summary and Conclusions
- Future Research
A study done by Rothman, et al in 2008
concluded that dual dopamine/serotonin
releasers could be used to treat
withdrawal symptoms and decrease the
prevalence of relapse
Medical research should also be aimed at
finding meth derivatives, which can treat
specific ailments and decrease the harmful
side effects associated with
methamphetamine drugs
References
Anglin MD, Burke C, Perrochet B, Stamper E, Dawud-Noursi S
UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center/UCLA Department of Psychiatry;
UCLA/Matrix Coordinating Center for the CSAT Methamphetamine Treatment Project.
History of the methamphetamine problem. J Psychoactive Drugs 2000 Apr-Jun; 32(2):137-41
http://www.amphetamines.com/methamphetamine/index.html.
Drugs.com. Methamphetamine. Available at: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/methamphetamine.html.
Accessed March 15, 2009.
Friends of Narconon. History of Methamphetamine. Available at :
http://www.friendsofnarconon.org/drug_education/drug_information/meth_%10_speed/histor
y_of_methamphetamine/. Accessed March 15, 2009.
Medical News Today. Pharmacology of Crystal Meth. June 16, 2008.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111444.php
Methamphetamine. Available at: http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/MOM/TG-Meth.pdf. Accessed
March 15, 2009.
Methamphetamine Frequently Asked Questions. Available at:
http://www.amphetamines.com/methamphetamine-faq/index.html. Accessed April 4, 2009.
Methamphetamine Treatment. Methamphetamine and the effects on the brain. Available at:
http://www.methamphetamine-addiction.net/meth-brain.htm. Accessed April 4, 2009.
References
Nation Drug and Intelligence Center. Methamphetamine. Available at:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs07/803/meth.htm. Accessed April 24, 2009.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Methamphetamine. Available at:
http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/methamphetamine.html. Accessed March 15, 2009.
New Study Suggests Methamphetamine Withdrawal Is Associated With Brain Changes Similar
To Those Seen In Depression And Anxiety. ScienceDaily (Jan. 6, 2004) Available at:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040106081122.htm. Accessed April 4, 2009.
New Mexico Office of Medical Investigator. Annual Report 2007. Available at:
http://omi.unm.edu/pdf/AR2007.pdf. Accessed April 24, 2009.
North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission. Methamphetamine Fact Sheet. Available at:
http://www.ncgccd.org/pubs%5Csystats%5Cmeth.htm. Accessed April 4, 2009.
Oc detox. Methamphetamine Effects and Withdrawal Symptoms. Available at: http://www.methamphetamine-detox.com/about.htm. Accessed April 4, 2009.
Rothman RB, Blough BE, Baumann MH. Dual dopamine/serotonin releasers: potential treatment
agents for stimulant addiction. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2008 Dec;
16(6): 458-74.
World of Molecules. Methamphetamine. Available at:
www.worldofmolecues.com/drugs/methamphetamine.htm. Accessed April 24 2009.