Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected and inserted anally.
Powder methamphetamine is the hydrochloride salt form, which is strongly hygroscopic. The HCl salt is smokeable. Crystal meth, glass, and ice, refer to methamphetamine grown into crystals. Methamphetamine in visible crystals (rather than powder) is likely to be relatively pure as it is difficult to grow crystals from impure material. Though many people believe that crystal meth is the freebase form of methamphetamine HCl, this is not true. Methamphetamine freebase is oil and is uncommon on the street.
According to the 2007 United Nations World Drug Report, an estimated 25 million individuals used methamphetamine or other amphetamine-type stimulants in 2006.
A knowledge of the formulas and chemicals used to produce methamphetamine is essential to the effort to minimize harm.
An association between drug use, risk behavior (and HIV transmission) does not immediately imply causality.
Methamphetamine abuse is as receptive to treatment as other addictive drugs.
The strength of association and/or nature of harms vary in different contexts.
Regional and global illicit drug reports are often incomplete, based on anecdotal reporting, as well as prevalence estimates.
Prevention and treatment options for methamphetamine users are not as available as heroin or alcohol treatment methods in most of the world.
No pharmacotherapy is available for the management of methamphetamine withdrawal.
At present there are no specific pharmacological treatments available for treating methamphetamine overdose.
Formulas or recipes for its production are widely available.
Methamphetamine production is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to many other recreational drugs.
Effects can include increased energy and alertness, decreased need for sleep, euphoria and increased sexuality.
'The duration and severity of a typical withdrawal syndrome for methamphetamine remain unclear' (Jenner & Saunders, 2004)... although there is some evidence to suggest that... 'the majority of symptoms will resolve within a week of ceasing methamphetamine use, with sleep and appetite related symptoms persisting for a further 1 to 2 weeks.' (McGregor et al., 2005)
'The largest areas of methamphetamine production are South East Asia, including Myanmar, China and the Philippines, and in North America. Australia and New Zealand continue to produce significant amounts of methamphetamine. It is believed that large-scale production will soon start in areas of Central America and Africa.' (United Nations World Drug Report 2007)
'Among EU Member States, use of methamphetamine appears to be relatively high in only a few countries, namely the Czech Republic, Estonia and the United Kingdom' (11th annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2006)
'Most of the Czech production of methamphetamine is destined for the local market, although some is smuggled to Germany, Austria and Slovakia.' (11th annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2006)
'700 million Ya Ba pills are thought to be shipped annually into Thailand from Myanmar. This is about 20 tons of methamphetamine or 7.5% of global production'. (Martin Jelsma, Trouble in the Triangle. Opium and Conflict
in Burma, Silkworm Books, Chang Mai, Thailand, July 2005)
