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Methamphetamine
On this page:
- What is Methamphetamine?
- Research and Reports
- Best Practices in Methamphetamine Treatment
- For Parents and Educators
- Methamphetamine and Child Welfare
- Communities and Methamphetamine
- Related Links
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. Methamphetamine is chemically related to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are greater. Both drugs have some limited therapeutic uses, primarily in the treatment of obesity.
Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as "ice," "crystal," "glass," and "tina."
Methamphetamine is the primary drug of choice in more than 40% of all admission into drug and alcohol treatment programs in Sonoma County. Methamphetamine is impacting the rest of the nation as well: from 1993 to 2003, the number of admissions to treatment in which methamphetamine was the primary substance of abuse increased from 20,776 in 1993 to 116,604 in 2003.
Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse: NIDA InfoFacts Methamphetamine and SAMHSA TEDS Highlights for 2003.
Research and Reports
Sonoma County Methamphetamine Prevention Plan, August 2008 (pdf)
Source: Sonoma County Methamphetamine Task Force.
Sonoma County Methamphetamine Profile, July 2006 (pdf)
Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services.
The Economic Cost of Methamphetamine Use in the United States, 2005
Source: The RAND Corporation.
Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Methamphetamine Use, Abuse, and Dependence: 2002, 2003, and 2004 (pdf)
Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Center for Substance Abuse Research: Publications Search
Best Practices in Methamphetamine Treatment
TIP 33: Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders
Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information.
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs: Presentations by Richard Rawson, Ph.D.
For Parents and Educators
Methamphetamine Use During Pregnancy (pdf)
Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services.
Delayed prenatal care: meth use in pregnancy may flag more drug abuse
Source: International Medical News Group.
How To Spot Drug and Alcohol Use
Source: Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
Methamphetamine and Child Welfare
Methamphetamine and Child Welfare
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Crafting a Safe, Family-Centered Response to Meth
Source: Jordan Institute for Families, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work.
Experts caution against rush to judgment on meth
Source: Minnesota Public Radio.
Fighting Meth in America's Heartland: Assessing the Impact on Local law Enforcement and Child Welfare Agencies: Statements before the U.S. House of Representatives Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, July 2005. (pdf)
Includes statements from Nancy K. Young, Ph.D., Director, Children and Family Futures, and Laura Birkmeyer, Chairperson, National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.
Source: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Communities and Methamphetamine
County of San Diego Methamphetamine Strike Force
Humboldt County Methamphetamine Fact Book (pdf)
Related Links
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs: Methamphetamine
NIDA InfoFacts: Methamphetamine
US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Meth
Parents. The Anti-Drug: Methamphetamine
The Methamphetamine Problem: Question and Answer Guide
Source: Institute for Intergovernmental Research.