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.

Legality

Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II substance by the DEA in the United States. Internationally, methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances http://www.incb.org/pdf/e/list/green.pdf. While there is technically no difference between the laws regarding methamphetamine and other controlled stimulants, most medical professionals are averse to prescribing it due to its status in society. Further, there is some anecdotal evidence that the DEA audits such prescriptions on a far more regular basis than similar drugs.

Related Topics:
Schedule II - DEA - United States - Convention on Psychotropic Substances

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Methamphetamine is legally marketed in the United States under the trade name Desoxyn, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. Generic formulations of the drug are also available.

Related Topics:
Desoxyn - Abbott Laboratories - Generic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Methamphetamine has become a major focus of the 'war on drugs' in the US in recent years. In some localities (e.g. Pierce County in Washington state, in 2000), special task forces were formed by police to attack the problem of rampant methamphetamine production.

Related Topics:
War on drugs - US - Pierce County - Washington - 2000

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In some areas of the United States, manufacturing methamphetamine is punishable by a mandatory ten-year prison sentence. In some cases, however, judges have ruled for life in prison without the possibility of parole, especially in cases where victims were killed by overdoses or impure substances.

Related Topics:
United States - Prison

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the UK, methamphetamine is classified as a Class B drug (under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The maximum penalty for possession is five years imprisonment, and the maximum penalty for supplying is 14 years. If methamphetamine is prepared for injection, it is re-classified as a Class A drug. The maximum penalty for such possession is seven years imprisonment, and the maximum penalty for supplying is life imprisonment.

Related Topics:
UK - Class B - Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - Class A

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2005, Canada increased the maximum penalty for the production and distribution of methamphetamine from 10 years to life in prison, placing it on par with cocaine and heroin offences.

Related Topics:
Canada - Cocaine - Heroin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~