Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant drug which induces a strong feeling of euphoria and is highly addictive. Pure methamphetamine is a colorless crystalline solid, or a paste sold on the streets as crystal meth, glass, ice, or crystal. It is also sold as less pure crystalline powder called crank or speed, or in rock formation termed tweak, dope, or raw. It has become one of the world's most significant illicit drugs.

Current controversy

On August 8, 2005, the newsmagazine Newsweek devoted a cover story to methamphetamine and its abusehttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8770112/site/newsweek/, which included a section that discussed criticism of the policies of the George W. Bush administration regarding meth. Critics feel that the Bush administration has not devoted enough resources to education about and prevention of meth use, in light of its widespread availability and the potentially grave consequences of long-term abuse. The Bush administration has countered with the position that cannabis is a dangerous gateway drug, and so prevention of cannabis use will prevent potential abusers from trying and becoming hooked on "hard" drugs such as meth. Meanwhile, the online magazine Slate posted an article concurrently with the Newsweek article (actually, slightly beforehand, on August 3) http://slate.msn.com/id/2123838/, attacking Newsweek for failing to appropriately cite sources and data to back up the claim that this is a "new" problem. The topic remains controversial.

Related Topics:
Newsweek - George W. Bush - Cannabis - Gateway drug - Slate

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