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

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