Methamphetamine – A Powerful Psychostimulant:

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive synthetic stimulant which is commonly used as a recreational drug. It dramatically affects the central nervous system giving a physiological and psychological response similar to that of adrenalin. The drug was developed early in the 20th Century from its parent drug amphetamine and appears mostly as a whitish, odourless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. The effects of methamphetamine can last 6 – 8 hours.

Classification: Class A Controlled Drug

Methamphetamine was re-classified in 2003. It is now a Class A Controlled Drug. Maximum penalties are:

Importation – life imprisonment
Manufacture – life imprisonment
Supply – life imprisonment
Possession – 6 months jail and/or a $1,000 fine

Forms of Methamphetamine

Although there is often discussion about the forms of methamphetamine available it generally appears in three forms in the NZ domestic market.

PILLS – historically these are imported and have been around a while. Sometimes however methamphetamine capsules are sold as ecstasy and also combined with other drugs such as ketamine. The pills and capsules are swallowed.

POWDER – currently the most common form of methamphetamine. Usually white in colour but can be found in shades of yellow, orange, brown and pink. The powder is usually snorted or injected.

CRYSTALS – this form of methamphetamine is the most pure and is becoming much more common. Often termed ‘ice’ because of its appearance, the white or translucent crystals are smoked/inhaled after heating, using what is called an ‘ice pipe’ or modified methods such as broken light bulbs.

Methamphetamine ‘Street’ Names:

Terminology used for methamphetamine is often based on the form available. Pills and powder are associated with terms such as ‘speed’, ‘meth’, ‘shabu’, ‘yaba’ and ‘uppers’ along with other local names. The powder and crystal forms are both associated with ‘pure’ and ‘P’. However the crystal version is also linked with the terms, ‘ice’, ‘crystal’, ‘glass’ and ‘burn’. Most commonly the terms ‘speed’, ‘P’ and ‘burn’ are heard for methamphetamine. Local terms such as ‘Kiwi crack’ are also heard too.

Methamphetamine Manufacture

This drug is made relatively easily in clandestine laboratories using inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients. However there are dangers in clandestine laboratory manufacture. The chemical processes used are potentially explosive, can give off toxic fumes and gases, are flammable and pollute the environment with the toxic waste left over after the ‘cook’ has finished. Nevertheless clandestine laboratories are rapidly increasing in number making methamphetamine a drug with the potential for widespread abuse. 2002 saw an “explosion” in methamphetamine production through clandestine laboratories.

Methamphetamine Use:

As already shown, methamphetamine comes in different forms. The form determines how the drug is used. It can be smoked, snorted, inhaled, ingested and injected. Mood is affected in different ways depending on how the drug is taken. For example, injecting causes an intense ‘high’ that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Snorting on the other hand produces effects after 3- 5 minutes while oral ingestion can take as long as 15 – 30 minutes to produce an effect. Snorting and oral ingestion both produce an euphoric high but not the intense rush experienced when injecting methamphetamine.

• Methamphetamine …how is it used?
• Orally – ‘bombing’
• Injected – ‘blasting’
• Nasal – ‘snorting’
• Mouth/nose – smoking & inhaling

There is no stereotypical methamphetamine user. The drug is much more readily available than most realise and is used by people of all ages, backgrounds, incomes and ethnicities. This is similar to overseas trends.

Methamphetamine And The Brain:

Methamphetamine works by stimulating the release of specific brain chemicals – neurotransmitters. These are dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. The release of these neurotransmitters boosts central nervous system activity leading to increases in physical activity, heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and body temperature. At the same time there is a decrease in appetite and the need for sleep.

The greatest impact however, is in the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that has an important role in the regulation of pleasure. The drug over-stimulates the transmitting brain cell (neuron) which releases more dopamine than usual. At the same time the drug blocks the re-uptake of dopamine from the synapse (space between neurons) back into the transmitting neuron. The result is an abundance of dopamine producing an euphoric ‘high’. It is said that the very first pleasurable experience associated with methamphetamine use is locked in the subconscious memory and is the ‘driver’ to keep a ‘user’ using. It is this pleasure-seeking behaviour associated with the release of high levels of dopamine that makes methamphetamine such an addictive drug.

The Effects Of Methamphetamine Use:

Short Term Effects

Because methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant it can, even in small doses and in the short term, increase physical activity, increase the desire to stay awake and decrease appetite. Increased alertness, energy and talkativeness are linked with an overall feeling of well being and euphoria. These are all seen by some as positive reasons to use this drug. However the impact on the central nervous system mimics the “fight or flight” response of adrenalin and as a result breathing, heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure increase. Other symptoms such as a dry mouth are evident too.

Short Term Effects – low dose

Can include:

• Increased alertness – ‘wired’
• Feeling of well-being, euphoria
• Greater self confidence, talkativeness (the ‘talkies’)
• More energy, hyperactivity
• Reduced appetite
• Increased heart rate, breathing rate
• Raised blood pressure
• Dry mouth

Short Term Effects – high dose

Can include:

• Muscle spasms, jaw clenching
• Fits, convulsions, seizures
• Irregular heart beat, breathing rate
• Excess sweating, hyperthermia (over-heating)
• Headaches, potential stroke/heart attack
• Delusions, paranoia

“Fight or Flight” response!
A high dose of methamphetamine can result in serious consequences even in the short term. Some feel the potential problems are all related to an overdose of a stimulant drug that has a dramatic impact on the central nervous system of the body mimicking the ‘fight or flight’ response produced by a rush of adrenalin.

Long Term Effects

The long-term effects of methamphetamine use are potentially very damaging and are as a result of the compulsive, drug-seeking behaviour associated with addiction to this drug. Chronic methamphetamine abusers may display both physical and psychological symptoms as well as other symptoms too.

Physical Symptoms

• Poor appetite, weight loss, malnutrition, anorexia
• Fatigue, loss of energy, heart palpitations, shortness of breath
• Itching (“the scratchies”)
• Skin irritability (“the crawlies”)
• Involuntary body movements (tics, twitching, grimacing)
• Jaw clenching, teeth grinding
• Extreme hyperactivity
• Kidney, lung and liver disorders

Psychological Symptoms

• Anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies
• Paranoia, aggressive and violent behaviour
• Moodiness, irritability
• Delusions of grandeur and power

Other Symptoms

• Insomnia, disturbed sleep patterns
• Relationship problems (children, partner, family, friends, workmates)
• Work and study difficulties
• Financial problems
• Neglecting necessities of life … food, shelter, clothing, love
• Legal problems as a result of perhaps using, possessing, dealing
• Generally disorganised lifestyle

Methamphetamine use is recognised internationally as a drug linked to domestic violence and crime in communities. There are many in NZ who increasingly recognise and agree with this view.

More About Crystal Methamphetamine:

Crystal methamphetamine known on the street as ‘P’, ‘pure’, ‘burn’, ‘crystal’, ‘ice’, is a more recent development in the NZ drug scene. Methamphetamine has been around for quite a number of years but this very pure version, crystal methamphetamine, has exploded onto the scene over the past three years. Because of its purity, the drug has more pronounced effects on the central nervous system and is highly addictive. Its street names are derived from its appearance (‘ice’, ‘crystal’, ‘glass’), how it is used (‘burn’) and its purity (‘P’, ‘pure’).

The ice-like crystals which also resemble rock salt can be of various sizes (and sometimes colour) and are sold in small square snap-lock bags that are usually plain but may feature a cartoon or design. The drug is sold at street level in amounts of 0.1 of a gram at a cost of between $80 – $120 per ‘point’.

Crystal methamphetamine is usually smoked/inhaled using an ‘ice-pipe’. Crystals are heated from below and turn into a potent vapour that enters the bloodstream directly through the lungs and produces an euphoric high that can last 6 – 8 hours or longer. Because the vapour is odourless it can be smoked/inhaled in public places without detection.

Crystal methamphetamine, like all addictive drugs, produces an initial pleasurable effect followed by an unpleasant rebound effect in the form of depression and fatigue. These extreme feelings are often what drives a user to use again and again resulting in significant tolerance as well as psychological dependence.

Increasingly this form of methamphetamine is being linked to irrational, aggressive and violent behaviour in families and communities throughout N.Z.

Methamphetamine Tolerance Dependence And Withdrawal:

Tolerance occurs with methamphetamine when a person is so used to taking the drug that higher doses are needed to produce the same effects. This becomes a vicious cycle and can produce both physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence means the body will experience unpleasant side effects if the drug is not used. Psychological dependence means the person will ‘crave’ the drug and feel the need to use just to feel normal. Regular users of methamphetamine who suddenly stop using the drug may experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression, restlessness, irritability, mood swings, disturbed sleep, strong cravings, paranoia and general aches and pains. These may be strong during the comedown period (first 1 – 3 days) and early withdrawal phase (first two weeks) but may settle down after two weeks onwards.

It is wise to monitor withdrawal from methamphetamine use under medical supervision.

If You Think Someone Has Overdosed On Methamphetamine

1. Seek medical assistance immediately don’t delay, dial 111
2. Get the person into a quiet space if possible
3. Stay with the person and offer sips of water to treat dehydration/hyperthermia
4. Be calm and reassuring and convince them everything is under control
5. Give as much information as you can to the medical staff present

If You Think Someone Is Manufacturing Methamphetamine In Your Vicinity

1. It is potentially explosive – leave and don’t delay, call your local police
2. It is potentially toxic – leave and don’t delay, call your local police
3. It is potentially damaging to the environment – don’t delay, call your local police

Need more information? Take action and visit these websites:

• www.methhelp.org.nz
• www.nida.nih.org
• www.health.org
• https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/methamphetamine
• https://www.erowid.org/chemicals/meth/
• www.kic.org/meth_info/faq meth.html
• www.police.govt.nz

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