Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth)

Nassir Sabri
Pioneers Baccalaureate School-Nablus, Palestine
March 15, 2016
ABSTRACT
In this paper we will be discussing one form of the drug
methamphetamine, which is crystal meth. This paper will talk about
different names of the drug, and the reasoning behind the names. As well
as the chemical make-up and structure, the purpose of the drug. It will also
include The history of the drug and its presence worldwide and also in
Palestine.
INTRODUCTION
Crystal Meth and methamphetamine in general aren't new, but they
became popular in the recent years. methamphetamine was easily made
and it was first made in Japan in 1919. The powder was soluble in water,
which meant it was good for injection. Methamphetamine was used a lot in
World War II, it was used to keep troops awake. And in 1970 the US
government made it illegal to use crystal meth.

METHODS
1- toothpicks
2- cotton

DISCUSSION
Name of the Drug
Methamphetamine, Crystal meth. other street names include, Batu,
Blade, Cristy, Hot ice, Quartz, and crystal.
Chemical Makeup
C10H15N
Molecular Weight: 149.2328 g/mol
Chemical Structure

Purpose of the Drug

Crystal meth is used by people from all ages, this type of drug is
commonly used as a club drug, which means that its usually taken
while partying in night clubs or at rave parties, because its commonly
used just for fun. Methamphetamine, it can rarely be prescribed by a
doctor to treat rare disorders like, attention deficit hyperactivity discord
er and other conditions, although it is rarely used in medical terms, but
if used the doses are a lot lower than what would be used to abuse the
body, which won affect your body a lot.
Side Effects of the Drug (drugfreeworld.org)
Meth can be considered as one of the drugs with the most effects, so it
can be considered as on of the most harmful.
Short term:
Loss of appetite
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
Dilation of pupils
Nausea
Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior
Hallucinations, irritability
Panic and psychosis
Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses
Long term:
Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood
pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
Liver, kidney and lung damage
Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
Malnutrition, weight loss
Severe tooth decay
Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion
Strong psychological dependence
Psychosis
Depression
Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimers disease,3stroke and
epilepsy
3

Presence in the World

This type of drug is widely used in all parts of the world but can come in
different shapes. Its a drug thats abusive, but still it is used a lot.
A production, which includes methamphetamine, at nearly 500 metric tons
a year, with 24.7 million abusers estimated The United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime.
A report issued by the US government in 2008 tells us that approximately
13 million people +12 have used methamphetamine and specifically crystal
meth and out of the 13m there are 529,000 regular users.
Some US states have much higher rates of methamphetamine users, just
like Hawaii, in the islands, 48.2% of the people wanting professional help
for drug or alcohol in 2007 were methamphetamine users.
This drug widely abused in the Czech Republic. 20% - 60% of those seeking
drug abuse in Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia and Latvia use
methamphetamine.
Presence in Palestine
Crystal Meth is present in Palestine but in a small amount, because it can
be expensive in Palestine, and many Palestinian people aren't ready to risk
there lives for a drug with a lot of effects that might easily cause death.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Miss Meha for reaching us how to write this, and
organizing our time. I would also like to thank the school (PBS) for
providing the space for us to work in.

LITERATURE CITED
1- http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth.html
2- http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/what-doesmethamphetamine-look-like.html#streetnames
3- http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/the-deadlyeffects-of-meth.html
4 - h t t p s : / / w w w. d r u g a b u s e . g o v / p u b l i c a t i o n s / d r u g f a c t s /
methamphetamine
5- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/methamphetamine.html
6- http://www.talktofrank.com/drug/methamphetamine