Crystal Methamphetamine

Entry 5, March 15
Topic: Drug Culture, Crystal Meth.

Drugs have existed for millions of years on our planet. People have constantly used them, even back in the stone-age ‘hemp’ was growing everywhere and they used it for clothes and rope materials, etc. As the human evolution grew out, more man-made substances entered our planet one of them being alcohol the most overly-used drug. Nevertheless, other much more vital substances have been made such as cocaine, heroin, LSD and now recently the largest killer of all- Crystal Methamphetamine. Its recognition has been low but it has caused numerous deaths and has made people suffer when they have tried to give it up.


“Article 1”
Crystal Darkness-USA
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY3wpip3RKg&feature=related
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bh3QHOWhcA&feature=related
Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nubR4tDI3dY&feature=related

In this section we get students from high schools and collages to give us a personal opinion of why people start using drugs and go on to harder drugs. We also get a small interview with a pre-meth addict which shows us how his life was ruined through a substance. There is an explanation of the particles (dopamine) the brain releases when you intake the drug and how the brain eventually dies out and you need the ‘high’ constantly. You become the drug. It shows us where it is made and makes us aware of part of its dangers. Furthermore in part 3 we come to hear the experiences of different addicts and how they did things they never thought they would do for in order to experience the feeling again. It becomes a world of misery and depression. Stealing, killing, dealing other substances and using your own body for prostitution. Almost like heroin. The start of the noticeable personality changes, unexpected ‘murders.’ The respect of a life is released as it costs more than gold, the dependency is so strong that the addict will sell his mother or baby for his/her next fix. As parents part 4, gives examples of parents that were unaware of what their children were doing and how they lead to their destruction. Parents should always be aware of what their children are doing and ask questions.


Article 2 News & Politics – Youtube
Meth also known as Yaba in Thailand. From "World's Most Dangerous Drug
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JgHevMAf4M&feature=related

This article which is a short clip, is my favorite one on this subject. It starts of telling us what crystal meth was first used for which was for the war (Japanese), it tricks your brain into not being hungry and not sleeping. People/soldiers in the war took it in order to stay awake for days so they would fight more. In Thailand it is overused by the locals as they lack the ability to live in our conditions. They are poor and need to stay awake to work and eat as less as possible. (Example: taxi drivers, builders, painters). It called “Yaba” in Thailand. There’s an interview with a painter who says he uses Yaba to gain energy and work constantly because of the energy boost, and no need to sleep. Without it the body feels ‘weak.’ But these victims who overuse it end up wasting all their working money on more doses instead of supporting their family. Lack of sleep and more meth may cause death as the body needs a certain amount of sleep daily and you break this chain constantly. A strike by police was done in order to catch the dealers so people would not do it so freely and people are more aware of its circumstances. Women working as prostitutes start using it in order to work more hours to be with more men in order to get wealthier for the time being in order to send money to their families abroad. They don’t have the urge to eat as the brains neurons are tricked as soon as the ‘hit’ takes place. But once again the money ends up buying more meth instead of caring for the family. In this documentary it does not only give us facts and interviews of people that use it in their daily lives, it also shows us the way it triggers and alters the brain. I will explain exactly what is said in the video as it is very useful. – “Meth travels through the blood stream and into the brain and causes the brain to release dopamine- the ‘pleasure’ cells in the brain which are activated from eating and sexual intercourse. 12 hundred units are triggered with one hit of meth. That is about 1000 times more than a regular feeling of pleasure during intercourse.” It clearly shows the dependency of people and how they start destroying their lives. It is the most addictive drug comparing to heroine on the planet. Its users are increasing daily.

Article 3: USA/UK
Crystal meth: Britain's deadliest drug problem

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/04/AR2005110402178.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/crystal-meth-britains-deadliest-drug-problem-425161.html

Linking two sites that have many things in common just to get the balance out of their similarities. Here are some cases of meth use in the United States and Britain. The countries will have to turn the value of the drug from class B to class A because of its rapid overuse, more patients found in clinics, rehab centers, struggling addicts and deaths. It is highly comparable to ‘crack’ cocaine and heroin. People are unaware of it as it has recently entered the ‘drug market’ and people were not aware of its symptoms and effects. It is well known in the gay community (?), club life and middle class working society. Many meth-making-laboratories were discovered and were taken to court during the past two years. Britain as well as the States are soon predicted to have the same problem as Australia did. One laboratory turned into hundreds in a very short period of time because of its addiction rate and usage. The substances such as iodine that are used in the production of the drug are HIGHLY toxic and can destroy the brain neurons, nervous and cardiovascular system. Recovering addicts have to face unbearable with drawl symptoms, depression, paranoia, craving and a huge amount of commitment. People do it because it’s ‘cool’ and get hooked on it and then have to face this trouble when they realize their mistake because it is too late.

Reflection/ Analysis
BE AWARE. This man-made substance which has not fully been acknowledged in our community IS as frightening as heroin. In my opinion it is more dangerous than heroin. It is rapidly increasing in its usage and is become more and more popular. Its effects are almost fatal and can last for a long period of time. Early users will not notice this until they fully depend on it, and yes it will destroy their lives. Money problems and health issues will start arising uncontrollably as the users will be looking for their ‘next’ fix. This drug is man-made in laboratories with the most toxic substances blended and heated together. The possibility of dying after the first hit is increase by 60% as the body is not able to fight against them. Many users struggle to face their addiction and face copious with drawl effects and terrifying experiences as they try to give up the drug. It has become a current world issue as it is slowly recognized everywhere in the world; especially in Europe, Australia and the Americas. It was first used in the Japanese war and amongst the gay community but when people discovered it is has become ‘famous.’ Its effects are so powerful because it strikes one hundred times more dopamine in the brain than the normal rate. All it takes is doing it once so in my opinion it should be classified as a class A drug and programs, projects should be made to make people aware of it. DO NOT USE IT! :)