The Meth epidemic - What is happening to our communities?!

[skooooo]

I haven't seen this discussed on DU, though I'm sure it has been. It seems everyday I see news stories and here anecdotes from family and friends about the devistation this drug is having on our communities.

There's an excellent article published last year in the Oregonian (http://www.oregonlive.com/special/oregonian/meth/stories/index.ssf?/oregonian/meth/1003_unnecessary_epidemic.html). The article purports that:

"...a national strategy to halt the flow of meth chemicals could be accomplished with little effect on consumers and relatively low cost to taxpayers."

There are about 9 factories world-wide that produce the vast majority of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, one of the key ingredients to meth. Most of it is shipped in from India, China, Germany, and and the Czech Republic.

There are alternative medicines that could be used in place of these that are not convertible to meth, but there is little momentum to get these in place because it would not be especially profitable for the drug companies to do so. Pfizer, it is reported, has such a chemical sitting around.

As of Oct. 2004, the DEA was only spending $20 million a year to track the trafficking of pseudoephedrine (compare to the $700 million used to eradicate coca plants in South America.

This, in my opinion is inexcusable. The use of drug is responsible for increased child abuse, identity theft, the rise of medical costs, etc. etc. etc.

Why isn't the entire nation mobilized to fight this scourge? It really scares me.

More links for info:

Montana: http://www.electdavestratton.org/Methamphetamine_Epidemic.htm

Iowa:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/94-03272005-468625.html

Kentucky & Indiana:
http://www.mapinc.org/tlcnews/v04/n1842/a04.htm?134

----

Look in Yahoo for info. on what it's doing in your community - or better yet, look around at the faces you see everyday. They are all around, I'm afraid.

[loveable liberal]

1. Legalize marijuana. Its that simple.

People like getting high. I dont advocate using drugs, but the simple fact is that because the war on drugs has curtailed harmless drugs like pot, people have turned to other more destructive means. Coke, Meth, heroin. Its my belief that if we legalize marijuana the use of these others will drop like a rock. Additionally, legalize the whole bunch, remove the profit motive and you'll see a reduction in violent crime also.

For those of you who disagree citing the European model, the problem isnt the drugs, its the method of distribution. It needs to be under the control of the government, not free enterprise.

[Mythsaje]

3. Yup

if adopt Europe's harm-reduction strategies, legalize cannabis, and use the increased resources to concentrate on the traffic and distribution of more dangerous and addictive drugs--as they have tried to do in parts of Europe.

Not that the U.S. has helped with this.

[skooooo]

4. I think this has little to do with it....

...the shit is addictive, and people like the high. Making it legal will not prevent anyone from using it. It would be even more devastating.

Marijuana hasn't devastated entire communities. We're talking apples and oranges.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Ok here is one you will not like

you are right they are addictive. Guess which drug is even more addictive tahn oh Coke and Heroin? ready? TOBACCO.. it is fully legal

Now here is another one that is JUST as destructive... ALCOHOL.

Now legalize this shit, because one of the reasons for the destruction is the violence that this shit endengers since it is ilegal. Also you WILL have a percentage of the popultion that WILL get high regardless... but if you legalize this shit, first Quality Controls can come in.. and we are not gonna get surprised by all of a sudden shit that is so pure people die right and left... and second it will remove lots of the aura of this shit.

[skooooo]

13. Guess what...

people haven't blown up houses and contaminated rescue workers from smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. It doesn't even compare.

Carry on with your political bantering on the drug war if you like, but this goes beyond politics and beyond what we've experienced with cocaine and heroine. There are concrete steps that could be taken to save the lives of innocent people. These are outlined in the article, which I'm sure you didn't take the time to read.

I welcome differing points of view, but if you are going to discuss the topic, it would seem that entering it after thinking about the initial post would add more credibility to your point.

Continue on your campaign to legalize meth, if you must, but I won't play along.

[loveable liberal]

18. As a 911 dispatcher i see plenty of explosions and danger from alcohol...

Ever see the result of drunk driving? Ever see a cop shot entering a home during a domestic assault? Ever see the victims of domestic assault, broken arms, broken faces, broken kids? Has anyone ever looked into the possibility of crime being committed because someone was jonesing for nicotine? Yesterday my dispatch center took over 1900 events, a huge percentage of the violent acts were alcohol related. There wasnt one single explosion due to the creation of meth. There was a single meth related arrest of those 1900 events. Dont try and tell me about the destruction meth wreaks. Your local liquor store creates way more problems both for public safety and for peace officers bub.

It does compare. Its a lot bigger problem.

edit: added final point.

[skooooo]

21. Well by all means, legalize it then..

That will solve the problem, won't it?

I really don't know what you're adding to the discussion. Thanks for the highjack attempt.

[loveable liberal]

22. question asked, question answered my friend....

[Viva_La_Revolution]

35. "There wasnt one single explosion due to the creation of meth."

Perhaps technically correct, but I have seen a human fireball who just happened to be cooking it at the time.
Neighborhoods where every 10th house is closed down and uninhabitable due to the poisons.

[SmokingJacket]

41. No --legalize harmless drugs like pot...

while fighting dangerous ones like coke and meth -- I think that's what the above posters were saying.

The theory is that if pot were legal, few would be drawn to the harder stuff.

I don't know, but I do know it's dumb to keep spending enormous amounts of money fighting pot -- which is less harmful than alcohol -- and skimping on fighting meth, which is evil.

[Mythsaje]

11. We're talking resources

and contact points. If legalized and regulated, it takes away one of the income streams for the street dealer. It would also remove potential customers for stronger and more addictive drugs--if they're not dealing with these people for pot, they're not going to be exposed to the other drugs.

It also would mean that the enforcement dollars currently spent on cannabis "crime" could be shifted away from that focus to pursuing more serious drugs.

[loveable liberal]

12. not to mention freeing resources from incarcerating individuals...

and ridiculous mandatory minimum sentences. I say prisons should be for rapists, murderers and Enron Executives. Not for people with a nickle bag (if they even sell nickle bags anymore).

[Mythsaje]

15. Agreed

and I don't know if they sell nickel bags or not anymore.

I would tend to doubt it. Inflation, ya' know?

[skooooo]

17. How about getting rid of the chemicals..

used to make the meth? According to the article, it is very doable. Someone just needs to get Pfizer off its ass to do it.

Again, if you haven't read the article...

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Yup the war on drugs IS a joke

[skooooo]

6. Did anyone even read the article?

Or the points I highlighted? Doesn't appear so...sigh.

[loveable liberal]

9. Drugs arent the problem, use is the problem.

specific drugs shouldnt be labeled as 'problem' or even 'helpful'. Drug use is the problem. Eliminate use and you eliminate the problem. The continued attack on specific drugs is a waste of time. Our efforts should be in curtailing use. The only way to curtail use is to own the distribution network. Controlling the distribution is the only means to eliminate use of any drug. People who fail to understand that dont really understand the problem.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Bravo,

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

There are days I find myself going, so what is the evil of the week, mohth or year for this joke?

[skooooo]

16. You're deluding yourself...

Generally, I would agree with this sentiment. But I think meth is a completely different ball of wax.

Let's see, maybe it would be easier for me to think like some of you all ...ok, legalize meth, and quit picking on it as the "evil" it is, and things will be better.

I don't think so. To me, it just shows there is a lot of ignorance about the drug. This isn't clove cigarettes, folks.

[loveable liberal]

26. no one is disputing meths destructiveness....

but you dont eliminate use by trying to eliminate the drug. A drug is a drug is a drug. Controlling the means of production is the only way to eliminate use. You also control who uses it. Rather than having it available to children via illegal dealers, you control who uses it. No one in their right mind uses meth, but if you know who's using, you can help them. Right now we have no idea who uses meth until they get in trouble. Why wait until they hurt themselves and someone else to help these people. Its a reactive policy rather than a pro-active policy.

[skooooo]

32. The article...

...I linked to, would seem to disagree with your point. Generally, I would say you are right. However, is it possible that there are exceptions to what has come to be considered the conventional wisdom regarding drug use and the "war on some drugs". Is that possible?

If you read the article, you would see that the drug companies and agencies have had some success in the 1990s in decreasing the use of meth. Perhaps if you read the article, it would shed more light on what I'm trying to say. Pro-active, reactive or a combination of both. Simply said, not enough is being done about it. Thanks for your response. Certainly arguing on DU isn't going to help the problem. If that were the case, there wouldn't be many problems left, would there?;-)

[Mythsaje]

14. Minor correction

Drug ABUSE rather than "use."

Or, to put an even finer point on it--people who have problems with drugs, not the drugs themselves, or those who don't seem to have those problems.

[firefox]

8. That's exactly what happened in Hawaii

In the 90s there was a big crackdown on laughing grass. It resulted in one big meth problem. I think a big term for meth in Hawaii is Ice. The people that use meth are called tweekers.

The problem with fantasyland reality by the drug warriors is that their really are substance abuse issues out there bringing havoc and destruction on individuals, families, and communities. Meth is a huge problem and for the drug warriors it is a real problem that the criminal justice model cannot handle. For one thing, the present model uses silence as its prime tool for prohibitions survival. What we need is real discussion and truthful information.

We also need to treat substance abuse with harm reduction strategies under a health care model where people can come forward to beat their addiction. The first and biggest step this country needs to take towards harm reduction is to Free Cannabis For Everyone. It will offer a superior alternative to alcohol and separate people from the black market that put people onto real addictive drugs that they cannot afford nor escape.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

33. as an ex-user, I have to disagree...

"because the war on drugs has curtailed harmless drugs like pot, people have turned to other more destructive means."


The war on drugs is a sham, of course, but meth is totally different that pot, IMHO. Used each, but for totally different reasons.

Meth is poison. It steals your soul.

[skooooo]

34. That's my point...

..the conventional wisdom about the "war on drugs" doesn't seem to fit here. Congratulations on kicking the habit. Thanks for sharing your insight.

[WillyT]

37. Here's How Pot, And The War On Drugs, Screw Us All, IMHO !!!

They used to tell us (and still do) that pot is a gateway drug. That if one starts smoking pot, it's just a matter of time before they turn to 'harder' drugs.

Now I have NEVER seen a person smoke pot, and then get a craving for say... heroin. Brownies yes, but heroin never.

But...

By keeping pot illegal, what the war on drugs does do, is introduce users to the 'black market'. And once you are introduced to the varying levels within the black market, you can obtain just about anything you want if you have the prerequisite money.

Meth, heroin, LSD, cop-killer bullets, bombs, slaves...

Pot doesn't lead to harder, more dangerous substances. But dealing in the economic underground sure as hell can. Especially when one is young, and 'experimenting'.

:shrug:

[chookie]

43. I agree

Most people use meth -- not because it is such a scrumptious special high that HAS to be experienced -- but because that's what is most readily available.

When they cracked down on marijuana, people didn't go drug free -- they just started using different drugs, and tragically, these substances are truly extremely dangerous and destructive.

I don't understand why the free market model of supply and demand stops at marijuana for people who otherwise hold it in highest regard.

You can "experiment" with pot, but you sure as heck can't "experiment" with crack or meth -- it destroys your brain from the get go.

Pot is not my thing, but I know people who use it, and seeing how it effects them (makes them zombies), I am baffled by its appeal (although I have very happy memories of the days long ago when there were weak strains of "giggle grass" about -- but even so, as someone at DU once said, at least when you get really high on pot, you only have to apologize to your host the next day fopr staring at his fish tank all night....

[corbett]

44. Legalize All Of It But Make Punishments Super-Harsh

Right now, we're using only one side of the double-edge sword. We can win the war on drugs but only if we are clever and don't allow ideology to influence our policies.

If we continue down our current path, pushers will find the next great successor to crystal meth and we'll be even worse off that we are now.

[sam sarrha]

2. lower property values, drive off residents..foreclose, resell to yuppies

for a kick ass profit.. after raping the previous residents with cancerous predatory loans...

[SoCalDem]

19. It's just "poor-man's capitalism" at work.

Apparently the stuff is not difficult to mak4e, and there is a ready-made market for it. Lots of poor people without a decent job. It's the same reason that so many inner city young people get involved in drugs and gangs. People crave connection to a group. Lacking a chance at joining a "productive" group,they will form other connections.

These "meth-cookers" would have been/could have been union workers hanging out together at a pub for a few beers before returning home. They would have had decent jobs, with benefits for their families...not poor folks lining up at the welfare/unemployment/AFDC offices , looking for assistance. Living like that, and being visually exposed to the lives of plenty that "other people" seem to be living. The rub is, that they are also hooked on the stuff most of the time, so their lives only get worse...

[skooooo]

24. Some of these people ...

....are not poor or disenfranchised, unless its by their own choice. I'm thinking of specific people I know. No matter how long I think about this, I can't understand it any better. There doesn't seem to be any solution, although the article does hint that there have been temporary remedies that have helped for periods of time.

From what I've read, much of the meth is coming in from Mexico, and not made locally. Thanks for your thoughtful response.

[SoCalDem]

28. Here in Riverside County, we have a HUGE problem with it

and every time I see them on tv, the desperation oozes from every pore.. They mostly look like "kids-next-door" all grown up and headed for destruction:(

[WillyT]

29. A Whole Lot Of It Is Made Here...

And when it first came about, it was referred to as 'The Poor Man's Cocaine'.

And as a former bartender... you don't want to see a person come into your bar when they are on the third or fourth day of their 'runner' (no sleep).

Very irritable, usually violent, and lookin for more.

:shrug:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

38. scary part is... the 'clean' stuff comes from mexico...

The dirty stuff is made locally.

They have "factories" that make it in Mexico, and they have quality standards - big time customers, you know. If the good stuff isn't around, tweakers start screwing around with recipes, making it at home - hence "bathtub crank" They will throw anything in there.

[hollowdweller]

36. You are absolutely correct! Just like shine in the 20's and crack n the80'

s

Anytime the economy takes a dive the poorer classes that don't have work deal in contraband and also unemployed or underemployed people can't afford a lot of entertainment other than drugs and have a lot of free time.

[UdoKier]

20. Maybe it's just the effect of the drug, but...

it seems like every person I've ever known who was on meth - I mean ALL of them, were complete selfish assholes. That was not the case with marijuana - there are a lot of nice folks who use that (I don't because it leaves me too absent-minded for days, but I know a lot of people can function well on it.)

Maybe that's why there is little interest in fighting it? Also, it's largely a white people's drug, so law enforcement is always less eager to enforce the law when the law-breakers are white...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

39. You become 'internalized'

Very hard to explain, but, your mind is racing, disconnected thoughts (even if you think you're at the peak of your game), and impulses are very hard to control. It triggers obsessive behavior, and bursts of haywire emotions.

[WillyT]

23. Well... You Could Show These To Folks Who Haven't Started Yet !!!

Faces of Meth

Link: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/olive/view_gallery.ata?g_id=2927

Apparently... Once you've started, it's already too late.

[skooooo]

25. I can't stand those pictures...

...I know people that look like that.

[undeterred]

27. Thanks for posting about this subject

It is happening all over the country, including in Wisconsin. A few weeks ago a team of police and people in hazmat suits descended on the house three doors away from mine. They evacuated 3 adults, 3 children, 3 dogs, and a lot of equipment. I later heard it was a home meth lab.

The responsibile party is a mother of 3 who has been on public assistance for a long time. She battles lots of addictions, and I have called the authorities with concerns for her children a couple of times. But this is the first time the children were taken out of the home and put into foster care. I would guess that she did this as a way to make money- that's why a lot of people get into it. Anyone can get the materials needed to make it, and its easy to sell at a profit.

Her children could have been burned or killed.

[skooooo]

30. The recent case in Ceour d'lane (sp?) Idaho....

..where the triple murder occurred and the two children ended up missing, was linked to meth. The lab had been reported numerous times to the authorities, but nothing was done.

I think there is a resistance or some delusion on the part of communities that contributes to the problem not being better addressed. It's extremely expensive to take care of -- all the way around. The dental bills for those incarcerated are astronomical, and have really burdened local budgets.

Maybe I'm just in a funk about it, but I really feel like if we don't get a handle on this, it's going to get worse and worse and effect more and more people.

[newswolf56]

42. Methedrine crisis

Methedrine is a form of a drug that in my youth was called "speed," and on the Lower East Side of the 1960s -- the so-called "East Village" (where every day we got to watch the "speed freaks" twitch and drool in Tompkins Square Park and on the corner of Avenue B and East 10th Street) -- it was axiomatic that "speed kills." Somehow, however, that particular bit of street-wisdom has been lost, replaced by a frantic, obsessive need for instant-feel-good highs.

What goes unsaid in most drug discussions is that, to the user, a meth high is the perfect antidote for the stultifying work increasingly characteristic of the outsourced/downsized economy -- that is, when you can get work at all.

Bottom line, the problem is that life in America has become so awful that increasing numbers of people are turning to drugs to escape. We saw this with heroin in the black ghettos of the 1960s, with crack in those same ghettos from the 1980s onward, and now -- as the rest of America is turned into an (ever-expanding) ghetto by Carter/Reagan/Bush/Clinton/Bush social Darwinism and the global economy in general -- the meth explosion.

You are absolutely right that meth is the ruination of an ever-increasing number of U.S. communities -- it's destroying rural life too. But until we are willing to address the root causes (in the inherent contradictions of the neo-feudalism that is global monopoly), the problem will continue to worsen.

And the 12-step notion that the problem lies exclusively within the so-called "addictive personality" is not only a mangling of English (think about it). It is also reactionary absurdity: the modern day equivalent of what Marx -- with presumably unintentional but nevertheless stunningly ironic prophecy -- called the "opiate" of the masses.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

45. You make a good point... but from my perspective..

"-- it was axiomatic that "speed kills." Somehow, however, that particular bit of street-wisdom has been lost, replaced by a frantic, obsessive need for instant-feel-good highs. "

Yes, a lot of the drug use is to escape reality, but I think there is an added component with Speed. One of the reasons I started using was because I was worn out. Pot was nice sometimes, I didn't drink, but speed gave me all the energy I needed to get things done. Work, Family, left little time or none for leisure. I was worn out. I have often wondered if the increase we are seeing is somehow exacerbated by the hyper society we live in. I grew up in a small town where daily life was much slower. Since moving into the city at 13, I have never felt like I could keep up with the faster pace. Society as a whole seems to be frantically trying to keep up too.

I'm still working on this thesis, hence the half-formed thoughts.
:eyes:

[bicentennial_baby]

31. The market is ALWAYS stronger than the law, period.

Whether it be the black market or da "free" and legal market, that's just the way it is.

[KnowerOfLogic]

40. Attacking the *supply* is a losing strategy; always has been, always

will be.