**The History of Methamphetamine in the U.S.

Amphetamine was first produced in Germany in 1887.  However it was mostly a drug without a problem to treat, and used for many different things.  Methamphetamine, which is cheaper to make, was first produced in Japan in 1919.  It too had difficulty finding a home, but was used extensively in WWII to keep soldiers going.  Kamikaze Pilots used the drug before suicide missions.  It was used on both sides.  It was also used extensively during the Vietnam War by U.S. Servicemen.  After WWII there was an epidemic in Japan, which had surplus drugs which were released to the public during this period.
Legal use in the United States centered on depression and weight loss.  Legal sources of these drugs are still on the market, but highly controlled.  During the 70s, when the drug became a controlled substance in the United States, illegal distribution of the drug was mostly through Hells Angels.  However with the advent of cold formulas containing Ephedrine it became very easy for people to manufacture the drug at home, and “Meth labs” popped up in many places to supply the drug.  It is easy to make, but difficult to control for toxic wastes.  Also fires from manufacture became common for a time.
More recently, cold remedies with these substances have also become increasingly controlled.  However control has not lessened the availability of methamphetamine.  The major supplier now is Mexican drug cartels, and the drug is readily shipped from Mexico with common carrier routes.  The drug is manufactured in Mexico, but also in California and other states by the cartels.
In the United States, the spread of the drug began on the West coast, where it was produced in large amounts by home manufactures.  Oregon and California lead the country in production.  The use of methamphetamine has slowly spread to the East.  Other western states noted for methamphetamine use include Nevada, Utah etc.  Also states in the Midwest have had problems with the drug.
This is a dangerous drug.  It is poison that people are taking, and trying to control the amount for the most positive effect, without consequences.  However it is highly addictive and the negative consequences become worse over time.
http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/methamphetamine-history.html
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/history-of-methamphetamine.html

Story of Overcoming Addiction

Here is a story from the Manteca Bulletin about overcoming drug addiction and the help of HOPE Ministries in Manteca.  This is very good.

The link is no longer bailable

**Step 3: Trust in God - Sharon’s Story about Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery

Step 3 - Trust in God: Decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
This story presents a middle age woman, who is obsessed with losing weight.  As a result she tries crystal methamphetamine and becomes addicted.  She struggles with pride, and applying step three.  She does not want others to tell her how to do things.  This is a very good presentation.

**Documentary Review: National Geographic: World's Most Dangerous Drug

It's Incredible How Deep the Hooks Go: Methamphetamine Addiction

I watched a documentary on Netflix Instant, "National Geographic: World's Most Dangerous Drug."  It indicates methamphetamine is 3.5 x more addictive than cocaine.  It talks about the cost of this drug, which has really burst upon the scene in the past 25 years.  This corresponded with the use of ephedrine in cold medicines.  Now most states limit the access to this medications, and some require a prescription.  This had the desired effect of limiting manufacture in the United States, but has not reduced the supply, as Mexican drug cartels have filled this void.
This documentary showed what happened to one's health over time with the use of this drug.  It showed this by showing different mug shots of the same people over time.  The sores and the emaciated faces where undeniable.  They also interviewed addicts, who talked about the delusions and hallucinations that accompany the use of methamphetamine.
They told the story of a young couple that became disoriented with their first use.  They were driving in a storm, and because of illusions and paranoia, and poor thinking as a result of the drug, they did not survive the storm.  This was likely their first use.  The effects of methamphetamine last longer.  The high can last for twelve hours.  This makes the drug more desirable but also more dangerous, because the drug messes up your logical thinking.
It also tells the stories of a couple people with recent sobriety.  One woman destroyed her good looks and her teeth.  The other was putting his life back together, after being in a fog for twenty years, and basically twenty years behind his classmates from high school.
WHAT I AM SAYING IS DON'T USE DRUGS, AND ESPECIALLY METHAMPHETAMINE.