2. History of Methamphetamines
• Methamphetamines were first created by the Germans in the 1890’s
but carried on by the Japanese into World War II
• Meth was used to keep Kamikaze pilots awake during bombings
• After the war, meth was released to Japan’s public and spread to
America, where it was used for dietary aid and as an antidepressant
• In the 1970’s, the US Government made the use of methamphetamines
illegal, so biker gangs were mainly in control of the drug
• Later, in the 1990’s, the drug was brought to the US through Mexican
cartels and it is illegally cooked in labs in the Southwest United States
3. How Methamphetamines Are Used
• Meth can be snorted through the nose, smoked,
injected into the body directly or taken orally
• Meth is taken to create an extreme sense of happiness
and a rush of energy and confidence
• The drugs effects last about 8 hours and leave the
user with a desire for more
4. Street Names of Methamphetamine
• Crystal
• Glass
• Ice
• Crank
• Speed
• Chalk
• Quartz
5. Classification and Chemical Components
• Methamphetamines are classified as an addictive stimulant
that is nearly identical to their predecessors, amphetamines
• Methamphetamines are mainly created using OTC drugs’
components and cooked in a lab
• The chemicals in meth consist of Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric
Acid, Lithium, Acetone and Sodium Hydroxide
• The chemical formula for methamphetamines are C10H15N
6. Harmful Effects of Meth
Physical:
• Loss of appetite
• Increased heart rate/ blood
pressure
• Liver, kidney, and lung damage
Mental:
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Disturbed sleep patterns
Social:
• Separation of family
• Isolation from others
• Paranoid of others
Legal:
• Possible parole
• Possible life in prison
• Possible fine
7. Effects of Meth on the Body’s Systems
Nervous:
• Increases dopamine in the brain
which creates a happy and
confident high
Cardiovascular:
• Increases both heart rate and
blood pressure
Digestive:
• Causes a loss of appetite in the
user which can lead to
malnutrition
Pulmonary:
• Can lead to lung damage and
shortness of breath during use
8. Medical Uses and Combinations
Methamphetamines were used
originally to keep soldiers awake
during World War II. Since then,
they have been used by athletes,
depressed patients, and the
overweight as a form of steroid,
antidepressant, and dietary
supplement respectively.
Many people combine meth and
alcohol in order to live their
polarizing effects in unison. Most
people believe that they can use
meth to sober up from alcohol,
even though the effects of the
combinations are worse,
magnifying the harmful effects of
both drugs
9. Conclusion
The harmful effects of methamphetamine are not
only in the body, but in the social life as well.
Many users will break off of the real world to be a
part of the meth world and sacrifice the
relationships of their families and friends. Few
can ever regain those relationships once the
process of being a drug addict or dealer has
begun
10. Methamphetamine
Crossword Puzzle
Across
4. A common nickname for meth
5. A chemical in the brain that is increased when using meth
8. The creators of meth
10. A common drug created by the chemicals in OTC drugs
12. The country meth came from after World War II
13. A way to take meth
Down
1. A common ingredient in meth
2. A feeling that is amplified when using meth
3. A medical use of meth before its illegalization
4. Another common nickname of meth
6. Where meth is usually cooked
7. The main source of meth from the 1970's to the 1990's
9. The main source of meth since the 1990's
11. A mental effect of using meth
