What is Methamphetamine?
Amphetamine was first introduced into medical practice in the 1930s as nasal decongestant. Soon after the introduction of amphetamine-related drugs in medicine, however, people discovered their euphoric effect and began to abuse them. In the years immediately following World War II, for instance, the Japanese government made enormous amounts of amphetamines -- used during wartime to prevent sleepiness -- available to the public. Japan subsequently had a major outbreak of amphetamine abuse, especially among young people.

Abuse of this stimulant remained a relatively minor problem in the United States until the enormous upsurge of drug abuse in the 1960s. The drug methamphetamine, for example, know by the street term "speed," became a favored drug because it could be manufactured more easily than other, related drugs. This form of speed is a very powerful stimulant, giving the user lots of energy. Methamphetamine may be smoked in either rock or powder form, "snorted" through the nose with a straw or rolled up dollar bill, or injected directly into a vein. Lab analysis of methamphetamine today reveals a product that is as high as 97-99% pure. Smoking methamphetamine allows it to reach the brain in about 6 seconds -- twice as fast as when injected. It enters directly into the lungs before entering the left side of the heart; from there it is pumped to all areas of the body and brain. Initially, a methamphetamine high from smoking can last up to twelve hours. After the drug wears off, there is a severe crash as the user's blood levels drop. As the body's tolerance for the drug increases, it takes stronger and stronger doses to get the same high.

The drug, which is commonly called crank speeds up the heart rate, giving users a 'rush,' before crashing them into a violence-prone depression as the effects of the drug wear off. The drug allows students to stay awake for all-nighters and graveyard-shift employees to stay busy on the job. Addicts have been known to stay awake for extremely long periods of time (1 to 2 weeks straight), resulting in some very violent behavior.

Physical Signs of Speed Usage
When someone takes speed it stimulates his central nervous system. The result is increased alertness, decreased fatigue, reduced desire for food, restlessness, nervousness, irritability, apprehensiveness, and an inability to sleep. He will have trouble sitting still and will often grate his teeth uncontrollably. Also his eyes will dilate (pupils will enlarge) significantly, and this is a tell-tale sign of speed use. Most users experience a euphoric high (a sense of well-being) after they use some speed. The reaction depends greatly on the quantity of speed taken

Long term usage of crystal meth can cause alterations in brain chemistry. For some people, these bring on delusions and a condition resembling paranoid schizophrenia. Other long term toxic effects include increased pulse rate and blood pressure, angina-type chest pain, restlessness, insomnia, fever, panic states, anxiety, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. There is the possibility of a brain hemorrhage or stroke, or recurring heart disease, as methamphetamine use accelerates the aging process in the heart vessels. Overdose is always possible -- a toxic dose varies from person-to-person, and depends on the purity of the drug. Smoking methamphetamine brings respiratory problems along with the above mentioned health concerns.

Paraphernalia
Mirrors, razor blades, straws, small plastic tubes (used to "snort" speed), oddly-folded pieces of paper (used to store speed), small plastic bags (around 1" square), glass vials, glass pipes.

Common Nicknames for Speed
Crystal, crank, meth, go, gofast, sketch, go-go, jet fuel, rocket fuel, junk, wake up, zoom, sh_t, ice, gank, cridium, stuff, tweek, glass, dope, lines, and glass.