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 1887In 1930’s meth was marketed over the
counter for nasal congestionIn 1937, available by prescription in pill
formUsed in WWII to keep the troops goingIn 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 availableMost seizures occur on interstate
highways and in the Four Corners AreaDeath 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 UseMeth is a central nervous system
stimulant can be snorted, smoked, or injected
Injection causes the strongest effectCan 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
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
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 decayLung DamageDeteriorating 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 reactionshigh 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 bodyAll the dangers that encompass manufacturing
it such as fires and poisonous vaporsAbuse 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 toxicityThis methyl group makes it more lipophilic,
therefore enhancing its ability to penetrate
the blood brain barrier and boosting its
stability against MAO degradationThe 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
conveyBased 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
ReferencesAnglin 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/history_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.
ReferencesNation 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.meth-amphetamine-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.