Methamphetamine has become one of the most common drugs in the US today. Within just ten years of its introduction into the world of addiction, it has reached shocking heights of popularity. Today, methamphetamine and its derivative, crystal meth, are both highly infamous drugs in the nation with almost every state having some or the other level of meth addiction to fight against. In some states, especially the southern states, meth addiction has risen to such an extent that it has surpassed the popularity of heroin and cocaine. And, methamphetamine is on par with heroin when it comes to the level of dependency it can cause in the person. That is the reason why the problem is quite grave.

Here are some points about the meth addiction that will tell you why this substance is so highly addictive and why it has become such a threat to the world today.

How does Methamphetamine act on the Body?

Methamphetamine is an amphetamine drug as the name suggests. These drugs have a capacity to act on specific areas of the brain of the person and trigger the release of dopamine. Dopamine is the hormone that produces the sensation of pleasure in people. When dopamine is released, the person goes into a trancelike state, which is characteristically called as the meth high.

Why is Methamphetamine so popular?

The addictive action of methamphetamine on the body takes place quite fast. Within just a few minutes of injecting methamphetamine, the person feels the euphoric feeling that overrides every other sentiment in the mind. This is an important reason in the popularity of the substance. People who are looking for a quick-release drug are quite happy using methamphetamine and crystal meth. This really appeals to the young people who look upon it as the best club drug available. In nightclubs and in rave parties where such quick fixes are much in demand, meth addiction is quite understandably on the rise.

Another factor that makes meth popular is its aphrodisiac effect. People who have the drug feel libidinous and the fact that they have the drug when they are with a group of people such as in clubs makes it possible for them to have sexual releases also. The sexual aspect of a meth use is what makes it a very in-demand youth drug. The average age of methamphetamine and crystal meth users in most states lies between 18 and 25 years of age.

Meth is also very popularly used by the gay community. The drug is the drug of choice in gay clubs and party areas. The fact that the drug can make a person lose their inhibitions and can produce an aphrodisiac effect makes it a hit in gay nightclub activities. Most states have meth rehab centers that are specifically catering to the gay population.

How does Methamphetamine come in?

Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug. It can be prepared with some very commonly available materials, the most vital of which are cough syrups that contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Other materials used are also quite easily procurable, such as antifreeze and lantern fuel. There are various clandestinely operating meth labs in almost each major city of the US, located a bit on the outskirts of the city where they can conduct their operations without much interference. These meth labs get hold of the raw materials and produce methamphetamine and even the purer crystalline version, crystal meth. Most of these labs are operated by one or two people, usually belonging to the same family so that it becomes much more difficult to nab them.

Today, these meth labs are the primary sources of meth addiction in most states. A constantly-in-operation lab can produce even as much as ten pounds of the substance in a single day, which is then distributed by agents into various local areas.

But it is not that all the methamphetamine that is available in the US is locally produced. A lot of it is brought through illegal drug trafficking, especially from the Mexican areas. There are various states through which there are networks operating for meth supplies. These states act both as distribution points as well as the markets themselves.

How are the Governments responding to Meth Addiction?

There is very strict control over the supply of cough syrups containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in most states, and some states have even banned their OTC supply. This has significantly reduced the amount of meth addiction in some states. In addition, there are constant raids on meth labs, usually acting on tips provided by anonymous neighbors. There is also a vast tightening of security on road traffic in most states today. Highway interdiction points are set up to nab people trafficking these substances.