Meth Trafficking

The issue of meth production and trafficking is becoming a major and seemingly uncontrollable factor in today’s society. This is because meth is being both domestically produced and imported into the United States once it is already processed. The Anti-Meth site states that this is because of two problems: “Steadily increasing importation of methamphetamine into the region by organized groups and clandestine manufacturing of methamphetamine by hundreds of users/dealers in small “mom and pop” labs.” This statement shows that many people are just producing this drug in their own homes or apartments and distributing the drug from there. This is considered the low time drug dealer and smuggler because of the low amount of money they receive in return. The real time smugglers and traffickers are the ones who traffic the drug into the United States from some other country, such as Mexico.

These Cartels and smuggling group’s ship in huge quantities of meth and the loads can be priced at over fifty million dollars street value for one shipment. In order to accomplish this task, the cartels must have many different people working for them in high places. The Department of Justice labels the groups and functions as follows:

“ –Cartel heads make the major decisions, they retail overall authority over land, sea, and air movement of all drugs, establish major front operations, and facilitate cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine movement to major U.S. markets.
-Division chiefs, the working arm of the Federation, are responsible for all stages of smuggling into the United States.
-Gatekeepers, control major ports of entry, facilitate trafficking on both sides of the border, and will also move drugs for other gangs for a price.
-Family syndicates, small time brokers at the bottom of the structure, operate along the border and in the United States and are employed to off-load, transport, store, and distribute drugs.”

This in itself shows the level of authority and command that these traffickers are using and the power they have to control the drug trade. If the smugglers want to get the drug into the country, then they will hire and do whatever it takes to get the drug in.

The price itself of meth is probably why most of these traffickers are willing to risk their lives. As stated by the Anti-Meth site, “$25 per ¼ gram, $100 per gram and $1700 per ounce…experts estimate that one ounce of meth equals about 110 meth hits.” The amount of money involved in this drug is unbelievable and is only getting cheaper because of the amount that is being produced. With these numbers dropping, the number of users will increase because the availability is increasing at such an astounding rate. This drug is becoming an epidemic that must be taking care of.

http://www.kci.org/meth_info/faq_meth.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/dea/product/meth/production.htm

Effects of Meth on the User

The effects of meth is so widely varied that it is hard to tell what might exactly happen to a person who uses meth. The effects themselves really depend on the amount the user is putting into their body. There are several long and short-term effects that will be talked about within this blog. These effects need to be talked about and taken literally because the effects far outweigh the benefits of taking this dangerous and life-destroying drug.

To start with, the short-term effects of this drug are nothing compared to the long-term effects that I will be getting to. Meth itself makes the user feel an increased amount of wakefulness and physical activity while decreasing their appetite. This is one of the main reasons for people to start using meth in the first place. Meth can also create extreme problems with the cardiovascular system which would include a rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure just to name a few. These small time effects are just a few that lead to the long-term effects that really shows how addicted a person has become to meth.

In addition, the long-term effects of this drug come with many consequences which include addiction. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s website states that, “chronic abusers exhibit symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, and violent behavior…also a number of psychotic features such as paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions.” These effects really define what a meth user becomes and are the signs of a long-term and chronic user. With these effects out in the open, who in their right mind would want to use such a destructive drug as meth?

These users start to rely on the drug for different reasons such as weight loss, instant energy, or even just as an escape from reality. Although, the longer they use this drug, the more dependant they become and the larger amount needed to feel the same high as before. Another effect as described on the Anti-Meth Site is that, “Methamphetamine use increases self-confidence, which often ignores the reality of personal limitations…users may experience “Superman Syndrome,” in which they attempt to perform tasks they are incapable of performing.” This in itself can become very dangerous for the user and the people around them.

Meth is a drug that needs to be looked at very carefully and needs to be educated about properly. It is becoming a much bigger problem than many have anticipated and is becoming very dangerous for our youth and society alike. With proper education about the effects and negative aspects of this drug, maybe more people will start making the right decisions when it comes to taking and using illegal narcotics.

http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/meth.html
http://www.kci.org/meth_info/sites/meth_facts2.htm