Meth Frenzy Now Being Called Meth Mayhem
The meth frenzy is not limited to toothless addicts living on the streets. In fact, even suburban America hides this dark habit behind closed doors and frilly curtains. A recent increase in seizures of methamphetamine particularly in the southern states indicates a huge influx from Mexico, replacing the cocaine flow of yesteryear.
Mexican Ice
Most American rural meth labs are nothing but a memory—the influence now comes from out of the country, mostly Mexican drug cartels pushing the industry into most major U.S. cities. Through a sophisticated network of distributors, the four main cartels Sinaloa, Tijuana, La Familia Michoacana (LFM) and Beltran-Leyva are responsible for more than eighty percent of the meth on American streets.
In 2011, the DEA seized a total of 7,338 kilograms of meth–more than twice the amount seized in 2009. It is smuggled across the border dissolved in water, windshield wiper fluid, beer, or hiding in produce. It is manufactured in liquid form, being taken to processing labs after transport, or as “dirty” meth or brown meth which is cleaned and made into a clear, rock-like form of the drug called ice.
Recipe For Disaster
Despite the constant flow from Mexico, there are still those who make hefty profits selling meth. Some say that meth production is as easy as baking cookies, using one pot and taking less than an hour. Ingredients include pseudoephedrine (PSE), found in cold and allergy medication; ammonium nitrate, the chemical contained in cold packs; camp fuel, commonly found in lanterns; metal lithium and salt. Its combination can be tricky, however, as changes in moisture or temperature can affect the chemicals, creating bad batches.
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that produces euphoria by creating a flood of dopamine, a pleasure hormone in the brain. It was originally created in Japan in 1919 by Japanese chemist Akira Ogata. It was given to Kamikaze pilots during World War II to fend off fatigue and raise morale. When it reached the western world, it became popular among the Hells Angels, earning the nickname “crank” after being transported in bikers’ crankcases.
Controversial Legislation
In an attempt to combat the nation’s meth problem, the federal government passed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act in 2005, requiring pseudoephedrine (the main ingredient in meth) to be placed behind sales counters so that retailers can maintain a record of PSE purchases. Oregon and Mississippi went a step further by implementing laws that require a prescription for PSE.
This presents a problem for those in need of allergy medication fast. Many are protesting the heavy-handed legislation that puts consumers at the effect of drug abusers’ habits. Meth labs and drug cartels continue to do business despite the new laws. Meth lab incidents increased thirty-nine percent from 2008 to 2011, indicating that manufacturers are finding their way around the law.
Manufacturers use fake ID’s or other, less obvious people to buy PSE for them, a process called “smurfing”. Officials were recently shocked by the arrest of Linda Clark, a sixty-year-old grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Reports show that she made thirty-eight purchases of PSE in the last two years and sold them to local meth labs. She is currently charged with promoting the manufacture of meth, which is a felony.
The substance is one that can be purchased at stores in nearly every city and is a drug that has to be monitored by a nationwide database. This is the first step in stopping meth mayhem problem. Rehab and prevention closely follow.
For more information on the meth problem or to get help through an effective rehabilitation approach contact Narconon today.
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