Methamphetamines are at the heart of stimulant drug abuse, and most of us know about these drugs because of the reporting about the drug epidemic, which has caused many unfortunate overdoses, deaths, and addictions in the United States. Methamphetamines or meth for short can also negatively impact the environment. Here’s how.

Meth Production

While some people use drugs for their sedative properties, methamphetamines belong to the stimulant drug class, meaning they increase activity in the central nervous system. Most often, meth excites users by increasing their alertness and energy. Unlike the shorter-lasting potency of other stimulant drugs, such as cocaine, meth’s effects can last for hours, making it a highly potent drug with a strong potential for addiction.

While the brand name drug Desoxyn is a legitimate form of meth produced for consumer prescription use, most of the meth today is made illegally by the practice of “cooking.” In the 1980s, the West Coast saw the advent of OTC (over-the-counter) medications for meth production. Once it was discovered that this drug could be cooked in homes with household products and users could access medications with the ingredients they needed, such as ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, the meth epidemic began picking up speed. Since the drug can even be cooked without electricity, people were using abandoned houses, shacks in the woods, and wherever they could find to begin producing their own meth.

Of course, mixing these products in ways they were never intended produces intense chemical contamination. The U.S. Forestry Service says that 1 pound of meth produces six pounds of toxic waste, with chemical residue remaining for months after cooking has ceased. Often, the chemical waste from cooking is dumped into backyards, sewers, and even septic systems, which results in very dangerous contamination concerns.

Meth production - Outfall Pipe Waste
Often, the chemical waste from cooking is dumped into backyards, sewers, and even septic systems, which results in very dangerous contamination concerns. Photo by Andrew Martin of Pixabay

The United States Department of Justice reports that meth labs pose an immediate danger to anyone living inside or nearby the residence used. Not only are the toxic byproducts often disposed of outdoors, but reports also estimate that as much as 15% of meth labs are discovered when a fire or explosion occurs. Many hazardous chemicals are combustible and can easily be ignited. Sadly, it is not only addicts who are exposed and sometimes killed by these toxic chemicals and explosions; it’s also the children living with them in these conditions.

Meth Regulations

While meth continues to be a global danger, the United States has made some noteworthy efforts to combat its reach. In 2005, Congress passed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. This law seeks to track and limit pseudoephedrine sales to decrease meth production. One way this happens is by keeping drugs containing pseudoephedrine and similar ingredients behind the counter and requiring photo identification from buyers. According to data published in 2017, meth lab incidents have dropped over 80 percent since the law went into effect. Additionally, some companies have begun producing new medications that no longer have meth ingredients in them.

While these efforts can act as ways to combat meth’s environmental harm, there is a newer danger with a new set of problems. A chemist with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says the old way of producing meth with ephedrine is being replaced with P2P meth, a purer form with higher potency. This new form of meth is much easier to make because of the unregulated ingredients needed. This has resulted in increased production rates in Mexico, along with much higher toxic exposure in the labs because of the large volumes being produced at one time.

Looking Forward

While all drug use poses a threat to the environment, meth is especially dangerous because it is a synthetic drug. Manufacturers see the toxins and dangerous nature of meth production as a necessary consequence because of how popular the drug is. Because meth is much more intense than cocaine and easier to make, many former cocaine users see meth as a cheaper and more potent option for consumption. However, because of meth’s highly addictive properties, these users become victims of this volatile drug.

We don’t often see meth’s effects on the environment, but we can see how the drug’s toxic nature diminishes the physical and mental health of those addicted to it. The only way to reverse meth’s effects on the environment is to help those struggling with meth addiction get professional addiction treatment and educate those who aren’t aware of the immense dangers this drug poses to themselves and others.

Methamphetamine formula
The U.S. Forestry Service says that 1 pound of meth produces six pounds of toxic waste, with chemical residue remaining for months after cooking has ceased. Image: Tablet with the chemical formula of Methamphetamine on Deposit Photos

Sources

Kevin Morris

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