Meth 2

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 12th grade February 2008

download word file, 1 pages 0.0

Methamphetamine is an amphetamine that has been used in treating narcolepsy, Parkinson's Disease, and obesity. When used illegally, this drug, which is also called crank, speed, ice, chalk, crystal, and glass, may cause a person to be paranoid and violent.

Crank can be smoked, snorted, sniffed, injected, or swallowed, and looks like a pill, powder, or clear chalk crystals.

The drug was first originally synthesized in 1887 by a German Scientist. Meth was forgotten until the 1930's when it was discovered that the drug could increase a person's blood pressure and was helpful in lung congestion.

Meth is a very powerful stimulant. Very quickly the desire for the drug surpasses other interests- including the need for food, sleep, friends, sex, and family. The effects of this drug are long-lasting.

Food and water become unimportant after taking it. Seizures and death can occur. Meth can cause: angry, hostile, and anxious feelings, violent behaviors, confusion, mental illness, increased physical activity, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, inability to sleep, strokes can occur, chest pain, increased blood pressure, irregular heart rate, aids and HIV through the use of needles, dependence, tolerance, addiction, and can cause psychosis.

The use of Meth is going up. In 1995, 3.9% of high school seniors had used it. That's an increase of 2.7% since 1990. 8 out of 10 people who try Meth will become addicted. Famous people who have done Meth include- Chris Farley, John Belushi, and Mick Jagger. The cost of doing Meth is very high too. A user can spend up to $100 a day. And sometimes, spending $400-$500 to support an addiction is not unusual. The penalties are very severe for those caught with Meth. Possession of any quantity of Meth can carry up to 7 years in prison. Distributing Meth carries...