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The Worlds Most Dangerous Drug: MethamphetamineNicole DemkeSalt Lake Community CollegeAuthor NoteThis paper was prepared for Psychology 1010, Section 43 and 44,Taught by Dr. Karen KwanAbstractSince the 1930’s the United States has seen a increasing problem of a drug use known as Methamphetamine- or Meth has been called the world’s most destructive drug, also (known on the streets as “speed”, “crank”, “crystal-meth” and “glass”) Meth is a destructive drug that produces alertness and elation, along with a variety of reactions. Meth has shown up in all areas from rural communities and sleepy suburbs to major metropolitan cities. Factors leading to the drug use cannot be defined by one person to another, there are however social and cultural norms that may contribute to the growing problem. The drug itself can seem glamorized the first couple times the user try’s the drug as dopamine levels are increased and the high is intense, but with more meth used the less likely the high is felt and the user needs more. Meth dependence is a difficult disorder to treat; users do not necessarily need specialized treatment but do need more time in intensive outpatient treatment programs, most users tend to relapse after their first year being clean. Meth is a highly addicting drug, which is easy to get and also extremely easy to make with most of the materials needed are at the corner supermarket. The Worlds Most Dangerous Drug: MethamphetamineA Review of the DocumentaryNational Geographic along with correspondent “Lisa Ling” take an inside look at how meth works, where it’s hitting and who it’s hurting. Meth appeared in the United States around the 1930’s, mostly as a powder that can be snorted or made into an injectable solution. Like cocaine, this drug is an “upper” that produces alertness and suppresses appetite. The effects of Meth are much the same as cocaine, however the high last longer anywhere from 6-12 hours. Meth is also cheaper and easier to find as most addicts can cook it themselves. Meth is a central nervous system stimulant of the amphetamine family, which increases dopamine but only for a short period of time. The drug was first developed by a Japanese chemist in 1919 used during World War II to help soldiers stay alert and to energize factory workers. (Basic facts about drugs) The Documentary focuses on breaking down the cartels that distribute Meth and finding the users that are also causing problems in society. The following questions I would like to discuss:Is Meth use or abuse glamorized?Do Social or Cultural norms in the documentary support or frown upon the substance use and abuse?Are the users seeking treatment? If so, what are those treatments?What if any factors lead to drug abuse of MethIf you have a friend with a substance abuse problem, how might you help him or her?Understanding these types of questions can help to eliminate future users and maybe also create better means of treatments for those that are trying to get away from this drug. Is Meth use or abuse glamorized?Many of the victims in the documentary were introduced to the drug at social functions or by friends that were already using themselves. The drug was in fact “glamorized” as the user feels energetic, alert, self-confident and even powerful. For example; a man named “Coby Kempy” began experiementing with drugs in high school. He recalls one particular occasion when he went to buy a hit of cocaine, but the dealer gave him something else….Meth. Coby tried it before a big track meet and experienced a high unlike anything he felt before. The Meth was working its magic, making the victim feel stronger; he even set the school record at the track meet immediately following the first actual taking of the drug. This defeat for Coby was remarkable and he felt that more good would come of it. But as he continued to use the drug the more he needed it, which in turn ruined his life. He was in jail countless times and lived a life on the streets for many years looking for his next high.Do Social or Cultural norms support or frown upon the substance use and abuse?Society of course frowns upon Meth and its increasing abuse. “Individuals share the human need to belong”. (Myers, 2011. P 123). This belonging is what finds many victims addicted to Meth and becomes an overpowering substance that is no longer controlled by the taker. Cultural norms can also play a part in this beginning where the drug was first created. Japans fast way of life and many in poverty make it easy for the extreme amount of users to grow as the need to work harder and longer to support families is a necessity.Are the users seeking treatment? If so, what are those treatments?Many users if not all of them end up seeking treatment unfortunately while they are in jail or prison as the need for the drug increases many users commit crimes for money to support their habit. Meth abusers do not necessarily need specialized treatment; the best form would be intensive outpatient drug programs such as; “AA” or concealing groups. What seems to make a different is time, a lot of time. Meth effects can last up to six months for just one use, the damage even after one dose can affect a person’s physical, behavioral and thinking functions that many other drugs and even alcohol can. Many users fail and relapse because of the length of time it takes to get over the addiction. (, Meth Treatment).What if any factors lead to drug abuse of MethMeth affects all walks of life so it is not easy to determine who or what factors lead to the drug abuse. Meth is everywhere in our communities and extremely easy to get or even make as all ingredients are available to anyone. “If you can make chocolate chip cookies, you can make meth” states Jason Gates of the local Sheriff’s office. “An estimated 1 in 20 college student will take Meth, either at a party of given to them by another student to help them study for an exam”. (National Geographic, Lisa Ling correspondent. 2006). If you have a friend with a substance abuse problem, how might you help him or her?I have had many experiences with drug use throughout my life, first starting with a family member and then seeing friends fall victim to its constraints. My family member in question is still fighting against the power of the drug, this of course is extremely hard especially knowing exactly how to help them. There have been instances where family meetings have been coordinated to help, but much like “Coby Kemp” and his struggle with the drug it has not been easy to convince my family member to move on and away from his addiction. After many attempts and talks it has been realized by all that are trying to help that the first and possibly only real remedy in our situation needs to come from the taker himself. You can talk and talk until you are blue in the face and until the taker has the ambition and drive to fully quit they most likely never will. Much like the website that touches on the treatments, many takers often fall back into their habit. We continue to support and show love to our family member despite the hardships we see along the way with him. He is getting better and knows and understands his problem. Drugs destroy souls; they take the promising life of everyone that comes in its path.Meth has made its way worldwide and continues to ruin lives and even souls. The faces of the men and women this drug has reached is easy to recognize has most have missing teeth and sores on their face. The drug is a destruction substance that all countries are trying to defeat. By the late 1990’s Police in small towns ranging from California to the Carolina’s began confronting a new kind of plague….Meth labs. Within 2 years more than 35,000 labs were busted in the United States alone. There are now police forces that focus mainly on the breakdown on these labs and also trying to stop the distribution of the drug, which instead of the mom and pop labs in the U.S most of the drug now comes from Mexico. The Mexican dealers normally do not use the drug themselves, which makes it harder to spot and arrest before the drug deal is completed, states Sean Christensen an undercover cop with Multnomah county with the special investigation unit of Portland. Progress made by the Police forces has decreased the production of the drug inside the U.S; however the already established routes created by the cocaine cartels make it easy for the Mexican dealers to distribute the drug.ReflectionMost drug abuse begins with a single moment combined with a simple “Yes” or “No”, after which depending on the response can change a life in a moment. Attending grade school in the early 90’s I was introduced to an assortment of drugs, most by close friends beginning to experiment themselves. Fortunately I never fail victim to any of these drugs. My research for this paper began with an on-going curiosity of the experiences my close friends encountered as they were pulled into the drugs restraints for many years. It is hard for me to understand the need or even the want to begin injecting or swallowing a substance made out of batteries and gasoline, which you already know will ruin your life in the end. I watch this documentary a total of three times and I am still amazed and somewhat curious about its contents. It is said that many takers are instantly addicted even after their first time trying a drug. Knowing this, why do so many even take that chance? Maybe it’s the thought “It won’t happen to me”, they will only try it once to say they did in a room full of peer pressure by fellow classmates. Seeing the examples of drug addiction in the video was a terrifying thing to watch, to see the transformation of the subjects over a matter of months because of the damage being done made me nauseous. It reminds me of the smoking commercials full of images of deteriorating lungs and arties which are meant to prevent new smokers from starting, and also shed light to existing smokers of the damages. Recently sitting with a friend who smokes watching one of those commercials I asked the question “what does that commercial say to you”? his response was shocking “Oh that reminds me, I need a cigarette”. Documentaries and commercials full of deterrents are not always effective; however for myself they make all the sense in the world.ReferencesNational Geographic; Social & Cultural Documentaries, (2006) TV. World’s most Dangerous Drug.Robert Balster, Mark S. Gold, J. David Hawkings, PHD. (2004) American Council for Drug Education’s; “Basic facts about drugs: Methamphetamine. acde/default.htm.Buddy T, Guide, Updated July 31, 2006. Meth Treatment takes More Time ................
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