Publisher's Synopsis
Methamphetamine - Crystal Meth Abuse, Addiction and Treatment - Understanding Methamphetamine Abuse. The production and use of methamphetamine is a serious threat to the health and safety of our communities. Meth is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain and has a high potential for abuse. Most of the methamphetamine abused in this country comes from foreign or domestic super-labs, although it can also be made in small, illegal laboratories, where its production endangers the people in the labs, neighbours, and the environment. The chemicals or ingredients needed to manufacture methamphetamine are often illegally diverted from legitimate sources. Some of these precursor chemicals include pseudoephedrine (contained in over-the-counter cold medicines), anhydrous ammonia (used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer and industrial refrigerant), and red phosphorus (used in matches). Methamphetamine comes in more than one form - it can be smoked, snorted, injected, or orally ingested, though smoking has become more common recently. Smoking leads to very fast intake into the brain, which multiplies the user's potential for addiction and health implications.
