Meth Epidemic in America

In the Frontline showing of The Meth Epidemic, researchers tell about the negative effects of U.S. citizens on meth. Meth increases one's dopamine levels by massive amounts and alters the typical function of the brain. Meth users feel no emotion unless they are high. Even more scary, meth is very expensive and users begin desperate actions to obtain the drug. Criminal actions such as stealing are very common. The government tried to gain control of the epidemic by removing Sudafed from the shelf at super markets and forcing doctors orders to obtain the medicine, but that didn't last long. Now meth from Mexico seems to be smuggled into the country and posing as an even bigger issue. The reason for this is because the Mexican drug cartel are receiving the pharmaceuticals in mass amounts from an unknown source.

The Meth Epidemic. Dir. Carl Byker. May 2011. PBS Frontline. Web. 6 Feb. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/>.

According to an article published on NPR, most people believe that cold medicines should become over-the-counter drugs. However, large, powerful pharmaceutical companies don't want to risk the decrease in business and are posing as an obstacle. Oregon led the way to prescription cold medicines back in 2006 and 24 other states have followed our lead since then. What I personally think is the most scary factor of meth is the aftermath. Old meth labs can lurk behind every corner and average people would never know. Breathing awful chemicals in at night while one is on a relaxing vacation is terrifying.

Engle, Jonah. "Big Pharma and Meth Cooks Agree: Keep Cold Meds Over the Counter." NPR. N.p., 26 Sept. 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://www.npr.org/2013/09/26/226476602/big-pharma-and-meth-cooks-agree-keep-cold-meds-over-the-counter>.

After reading about the mess labs leave behind, I looked up some stories in Oregon. In an article I found on The Oregonian website, I discovered a story of a couple attempting to pay a bill at a steakhouse in Seaside with crystal meth. Supposedly, the waitress immediately called the police and investigated the situation. Turns out they were two meth dealers with over 17 ounces of meth in their possession. Police investigated the couple and, sure enough, found their lab cooking at the Holiday Inn. It just goes to show how dysfunctional the brain can become after using. Not to mention, the vulnerability of the citizens around users. What if the chemicals in the lab were to blow up putting innocent people at the hotel in danger?

Dixon Kavanaugh, Shane. "Oregon couple's meth tip at Seaside Steakhouse lands them behind bars, police say." The Oregonian. N.p., 7 Jan. 2014. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/01/oregon_couples_meth_tip_at_sea.html>.