[Strutt9]

What exactly is Meth? It seems something new on the drug market. Where does one go about discovering what this drug is and does to people? And, why is it so popular?

I don't usually listen to news on a daily basis but I heard of this but don't understand what it is.

[LibertarianInExile]

"What exactly is Meth? It seems something new on the drug market. Where does one go about discovering what this drug is and does to people? And, why is it so popular?"

It's basically hyper-speed.

[mojo_the_migo]

I think its a stimulent and was originally legal as an asthma medication. I might be getting that confused with Speed. Speed = Meth?

I know its popular because it is pretty easy to produce. You can make it with over the counter cold medicine and you can buy all the stuff from a hardware store make the finished product.

[RegulatorCountry]

"It seems something new on the drug market. Where does one go about discovering what this drug is and does to people? And, why is it so popular?"

Nothing new at all ... most of the outrageous police chases you've seen on television for the past decade are in pursuit of a Meth head behind the wheel of a car. Methamphetamine produces what some describe as a euphoric high, compared to an hours-long orgasm. It puts the libido into overdrive, fuelling all-night-long orgies, although it can severely impact some males' ability to perform. It has a severe and fairly rapid impact upon the health of anyone using it frequently, and is highly addictive. The time lapse mug shots in a previous post show the extreme aging effects of Meth, in adddition to hinting at "Meth mouth," a peculiarity produced by the causticity of the drug ... tooth enamel is eroded away, and teeth then soften, blacken, rot away and fall out. That's why the woman's face looks so collapsed in the last several frames. It's bad news, worse than cocaine or even heroin, in my opinion. Meth is behind a lot of the more bizarre violent acts that you hear about.

[Squawk 8888]

Meth, short for methamphetamine, has been around for a long time- it used to be called "speed". It is a stimulant that became popular among truckers who wanted to stay awake at the wheel and university students who would take it so they could spend several days studying without a break.

Back in the 1960s and 197s the catchphrase was "speed kills" because even the druggies who were into everything else knew it was bad news.

[EEDUDE]

"What exactly is Meth?"

Meth is short for methamphetamine, and is not new.

It is a very powerful and long lasting stimulant with a high similar to cocaine, but lasting much longer.

In the 60's we all knew that "Speed Kills" and abuse of this stuff was not too widespread except on the West Coast.

Don't know why it has gotten so popular recently. Really good precursors were available back then which made the production of methamphetamine easier and cleaner, but there wasn't much demand for it.

It's one damn destructive drug. I've seen the results locally, and they are not pretty.

[Jim Noble]

What exactly is Meth?

Before you slip into unconsciousness
Id like to have another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss, another kiss

The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
Well meet again, well meet again

Oh tell me where your freedom lies
The streets are fields that never die
Deliver me from reasons why
Youd rather cry, Id rather fly

The crystal ship is being filled
A thousand girls, a thousand thrills
A million ways to spend your time
When we get back, Ill drop a line

Old, is what it is.

Tweakers used to be called speed freaks a million years ago.

And they were just as boring then as they are now.

[TKDietz]

"What exactly is Meth? It seems something new on the drug market."

Meth is a very powerful amphetamine. It was first synthesized in Japan in 1919, and has been used for medical and "recreational" purposes for a long time. It's was also given to German and Japanese soldiers in WWII, and possibly American soldiers to keep them awake. It Schedule II controlled substance, which is the highest level for addictive drugs with accepted medical value. Aside from illicit production, it is also marketed legally under the name, "Desoxyn," for the purpose of treating narcolepsy, ADHD and extreme obesity. There are heavy controls on pharmaceutical meth so I doubt is actually prescribed much.

I'm a public defender and I represent a lot of people on meth. I hear the high described as super coffee, something that really wakes people up and gives them lots of energy and a feeling of vitality. Those who shoot it up especially will talk about an incredible rush they get when they first take a hit. Some people take it to sharpen their senses when they go out to bars, so they can drink and chase women without ever feeling tired or drunk. Others do it for work is the ultimate pick me up, so they can out work everyone around them. Truck drivers do it to stay awake. The problem is that for all these users what may start out as a performance enhancing drug in many cases takes over their lives and becomes the opposite of a performance enhancer. Their lives spiral out of control and everything falls apart for them. Those that get hooked have a really hard time getting off of it. I see a lot of them going to rehab over and over again, prison over and over again, seemingly unable to kick it. A lot more do kick the habit than some would have you believe, but it tends to take them years and years and many of them have just ruined their lives by the time they finally do leave it alone. I wouldn't wish that addiction on anyone.