Crystal Meth Essay

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that 0.1% of 12-17-year-olds and 0.4% of 18-25-year-olds reported using methamphetamine in the past month, representing more than 150,000 young users in the United States. Crystal meth is a common form of methamphetamine with a number of a street names, such as, ‘Tina’, ‘ice’, ‘crystal’ and ‘glass’. Crystal meth, or meth for short, can be taken by snorting it, smoking it or injecting it with a needle. Meth is a highly addictive stimulant, usually smoked; creates a euphoric effect on the user. The use of amphetamine and methamphetamine, in particular, is an increasingly growing global health problem. (Marshall 1) Methamphetamine usage is highest among young adults. (Iritani 1) This paper will evaluate why youth and young adults pick up crystal meth in the first place as well as demonstrate the severity of the reliance on crystal meth usage among youth while
There are a number of adverse effects, short-term and long-term, from meth use; including extreme weight loss, hyperactivity, irritability, increased heart rate and blood pressure, cardiovascular collapse or death and brain damage. There are many physical risks involved in the use of crystal meth, Iritani talks of the sexual risks involved and the transfer of STDs/HIV. There have been links between crystal meth use and sensation-seeking behaviors in users, specifically in subcultures, i.e. gay men; though not all studies show this. The relationship between crystal meth and high-risk sexual behavior is common with other substance abuse as well. The increase in risky sexual behavior allows an already vulnerable population to be susceptible to higher rates of sexual transmitted diseases. This is of particular importance as it is more difficult for these individuals to access health care when seeking treatment for the