Methamphetamine: Our Nation’s Chronic Illness

Abstract

Methamphetamine was widely used in the United States during the 1950’s and 60’s to treat a variety of conditions before its addictive nature and harmful side effects were fully understood by the general public. The government’s ensuing restrictions merely forced the production and use of methamphetamine underground as the country witnessed an explosion of clandestine production and distribution. Once viewed as the “poor man’s cocaine” used exclusively in rural areas, methamphetamine has spread to become an epidemic that now transcends class, geography, and race. Much legislation has been passed over the years in response to the growing severity of the problem, as Congress has come to realize the enormity of the threat that this drug poses to its citizens and society at large. This research paper examines the history of methamphetamine use, its prevalence in the U.S., its effects on the users, its imposition of societal costs, legislation in response to the growing problem, and additional measures that ought to be employed to help cure the nation of the ailments caused by this chronic illness.