What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamines (METH) use is the most common type of amphetamine abuse in large cities throughout the United States. The difference between an amphetamine and methamphetamine is the addition of methyl. Some street names for methamphetamines are crank, rock, ice, meth, crystal meth, crystal, speed and speedball (heroin with methamphetamine). Methamphetamines are more potent due to the addition of other toxic chemicals and drugs, and can be smoked, snorted, or injected. The user will experience a sudden rush, lasting for approximately and minute and then the duration of effect can be up to 14 hours.
Meth labs are normally small home operations in which amphetamines are mixed with toxic chemicals in order to create a more potent drug. Because the materials for methamphetamines are so readily available there has been a huge increase of math labs in past years. Methamphetamine cooking methods usually involve the reduction of ephedrine or psuedoephedrine, which is found over-the-counter cold and allergy tablets containing ephedrine or psuedoephedrine (such as Sudafed). Other toxic chemicals are sometimes used in the process of Meth including rubbing alcohol, brake cleaner, drain cleaner, lye, gasoline additives, farm fertilizer, ammonia and lye.
Meth labs are highly volatile, and often subject to fires or explosions, and produce toxic gases that have been known to produce numerous medical problems, including respiratory and organ damage, and cardiac issues. The toxic residues left in the walls, floors, other exposed areas in the building can last and affect people for years, and must be specially cleaned and/or ompletely restored in order to eliminate toxins.
