New Approaches to the Methamphetamine Epidemic

Abstract

Methamphetamine abuse has become an epidemic in the United States. As methamphetamine becomes increasingly available, more and more people are trying – and becoming addicted to – this potent drug. But although methamphetamine is made using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs containing pseudoephedrine, shifting OTC drugs containing pseudoephedrine to prescription status is not the solution to the methamphetamine crisis. Rather, society must adopt a comprehensive approach to the methamphetamine problem that includes preventing the diversion of these drugs, encouraging countries to enact regulations to prevent the sale of large quantities of pseudoephedrine, reducing demand for methamphetamine, decreasing the methamphetamine supply, and improving treatment programs for methamphetamine addicts.