NCJ Number
198040
Date Published
August 2002
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article describes the chemical composition, physical effects of usage, prevalence of distribution and use of crystal methamphetamine, and efforts to enforce the laws against this drug problem in the United States.
Abstract
This article begins by providing a background on the drug methamphetamine and describes briefly the method of its production, including the crystal, powdered, and actual. A review of the activities of local law enforcement and the prevalence of availability of crystal methamphetamine in Wisconsin, Texas, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Nebraska, Missouri, Mississippi, Kansas, Illinois, Hawaii, Georgia, Florida, and Colorado is included. A table shows the estimated U.S. methamphetamine prices of powdered and crystal for June of 2002. A discussion of the use of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for cutting crystal methamphetamine is provided. This article concludes with a discussion of the outlook for control of this problem, and notes that it is anticipated that the availability of crystal methamphetamine will increase by means of Mexican and Asian criminal groups attempting to increase demand for the drug by increasing its availability in the United States. It is anticipated that an increase in the number of people abusing this drug will occur as a result of its increased availability.