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What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine or “Meth”, a derivative of amphetamine is an extremely powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system.  The federal government categorizes it as a Schedule II stimulant because of its high potential for abuse.  Many states also categorize it as a dangerous and illegal drug.

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Street Names for Meth

Like many other drug distributors and users, meth manufacturers, distributors and users have developed more than 170 different slang or street terms used for meth.  The use of street terms allows meth participants to discuss meth related activities around unsuspecting parties without fear of being detected.  Some of the more frequently used terms include crank, ice, boo, chicken feed, geep, tick, scootie, jet fuel, wake me up, lemon drop, schmiz, shabu, glass, shi-shi, zip, spoosh and load of laundry.

The choice of terms used is usually relevant to a geographic region and can readily change over time.  

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How meth was developed?

Methamphetamine was first developed in 1919 by a Japanese pharmacologist.  Although its initial uses were for medical purposes, its ability to increase energy and to enable users to function without sleep made it attractive for military purposes during World War II.  Many reports indicate the German army frequently distributed a form of methamphetamine to weary troops in attempt to counter battle fatigue.  The ease and quick turnaround of the ephedrine reduction method of manufacture made it the popular choice of Army officials and is the likely source of the label “Nazi Method”. Some authors have mistakenly credited the German Army with the development of meth.

Meth has undergone both legal and illegal uses in the United States.  As early as the 1930s it was used therapeutically to treat asthma and epileptic seizures.  When the effects became more apparent its use was prohibited in the United States but major pharmaceutical companies were allowed to manufacture it for export.  A substantial portion distributed in Mexico and Canada found its way back into the United States and was sold on the black market for illicit purposes. 

Historically, outlaw motorcycle gangs operating on the West Coast controlled illicit meth production.  Members of these groups or their employees cooked meth for both financial gain and for personal use.  Some over-the-road drivers to keep them alert during long work stretches used “Speed” one of the original forms of meth.  During the 1970s meth was a primary appetite suppressant in prescription diet pills.  The illicit demand for meth resulted in forged prescriptions, theft and a black market.

The reemergence of a significant meth problem was realized as early as 1983 in California.  The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program (ADAM) and the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), all indicate a pronounced increase in the manufacture, distribution and use of methamphetamine.  The growth in clandestine labs has spread across many sections of the United States and the problem is acute in the Midwest. The simple manufacturing process, the availability of precursor materials, the longer high and the substantial profit margin all contribute to increases in meth production and use.  The Law Enforcement response has been severe.  Many states have increased penalties for manufacture, distribution and use of methamphetamine.  Numerous multi-jurisdictional task forces have been formed to increase enforcement activities.  The Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1966 cracked down on the mail order industry and chemical supply companies as well as increasing penalties for possession, trafficking, and manufacturing of precursor chemicals and paraphernalia.  Some jurisdictions now regulate the sale of ephedrine based cold medicines and many have cooperative agreements with retail facilities to report purchases of meth ingredients.  While these measures all help to attack the meth problem they are simply not enough.  The need to increase treatment, intervention and prevention programs is well apparent.  If we are to be successful, our programs must be comprehensive and must attack meth on a variety of fronts.  

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How Meth is produced

Obviously, this web page is not designed to teach one how to manufacture meth.  However, basic knowledge of the process enhances one’s understanding of the dangers involved in both the manufacture and use of methamephetamine as well as educating law-abiding citizens on how to determine if a meth lab is on or near your property. 

Meth is a man-made drug.  There are two primary methods for cooking meth, P-2-P and ephedrine reduction.  Both processes received their name from the primary precursor (ingredients) chemicals used in the production of meth.  The P-2-P (phenyl-2-propanone) method is primarily used by large drug cartels in Mexico.  The possession or purchase of P-2-P is illegal in the United States.  International drug cartels have access to P-2-P through illegal markets and manufacture meth in Mexico and later distribute the finished product in the United States.  P-2-P was legally available in the past and west coast motorcycle gangs utilized the P-2-P cooking method when they controlled the methamphetamine trade.  The government’s restrictions on P-2-P forced meth production to take a different direction.

The prohibition against P-2-P in the United States has resulted in almost a total reliance upon ephedrine reduction.  In this process, methamphetamine manufacturers commonly referred to as cooks, chemically extract ephedrine or psuedoephedrine from over the counter cold medicines.  Although meth users, cooks and law enforcement officials refer to meth labs, they have little or no resemblance to one’s normal image of a scientific laboratory.  Clandestine labs are often simple, crude and consist of common household items.  Meth can be cooked in basements, old buildings, motel rooms, camping trailers and moving vehicles. 

Once the ephedrine has been extracted, the cook will manufacture “Nazi” or “Red P” meth.  Both “recipes” utilize heat and chemical reactions to manufacture the finished product, Methamphetamine Hydrochloride.  The process is essentially the same with the exception of the agents used in the reaction.  In Nazi meth, the cook will add lithium strips, usually extracted from batteries, and anhydrous ammonia to the reduced ephedrine to start the chemical reaction.  In the Red P recipe, red phosphorous, usually extracted from match tips, and iodine are used in lieu of lithium and anhydrous.  Most of the ingredients used in ephedrine reduction can be purchased legally, thus contributing to its popularity.  Common household items used in the production of meth include denatured alcohol, ether, salt, drain cleaner, camping fuel, paint thinner and lye.  Obviously, most of us would be reluctant to ingest ingredients.  However, most of these precursor ingredients are destroyed or consumed in the manufacturing process and the finished product does not contain the poisons used in the process.  The availability of these items and the simplicity of the process contribute to meth’s growing popularity. 

Previously we noted meth labs often consist of items commonly found at home.  Common items used in clandestine labs include coffee filters, hot plates, electric skillets, Pyrex dishes or bake ware, plastic tubing, funnels, rubber gloves, breathing masks and glass jars.  Many law-abiding citizens have these items at home.  Law enforcement officials become suspicious when they find unusual combinations of these items and/or find them in unusual parts of the house. 

Earlier we noted the use of anhydrous ammonia in the production of Nazi meth.  Unlike most of the other precursor ingredients, anhydrous is not readily available to most citizens.  Meth cookers often steal anhydrous from farms or agricultural chemical distributors.  Because it is commonly stored as a gas, the meth cooker will drain the anhydrous into a 20 lb propane tank, the same one you might have on your gas barbeque grill.  Again, it is not illegal or necessarily suspicious to possess one of these tanks.  However, if the tank has been used to transport anhydrous the valves will discolor to a bluish tint and is often an indicator that meth production is afoot. Other cooks will drain the anhydrous into a plastic or Styrofoam cooler and transport it in its liquid state.  

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How can I Tell if Someone is On or has been Using Meth?

There are several physical and behavioral indicators of meth use.  Chronic meth users are typically gaunt, maintain poor hygiene and have rotten teeth.  They are frequently paranoid and may have skin sores from picking at imaginary bugs.  Extended and frequent meth use also results in pale discolored skin and extreme weight loss.

Behaviorally, meth users display an array of indicators.  Because meth is metabolized slowly, 50% remains in the user’s body 12 hours after consumption, the high and its related behaviors will be readily identifiable for a long period of time.  Meth users experiencing the “high” will have an increased energy level, can go without sleep for extended periods and may appear hyperactive.  “Binge” users will exhibit behaviors commonly associated with the high but will “tweak” during the down period and may become dangerously aggressive. 

As with most addictive drugs, users who have gone without the drug for an extended period will be irritable, easily agitated, and may also display nervous features indicating their need for the drug.

As a result of the toxic and combustible chemicals and the infusion of heat, meth cookers frequently will have burn marks on their hands and arms.  Many meth cooks are also users and may display the other indicators associated with use.  

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