Science&Technology

Meth History Cont.

1938: First published report of amphetamine addition and psychosis
1940: “Methedrine” commercial trade name for methamphetamine
Both amphetamine and methamphetamine used as performance
enhancer by Japanese, German and Americans in WWII. Led to
addiction problems in Japanese after the war.
1950-53: amphetamine distributed to US troops in Korean war
1951: U.S. Congress passes a law requiring prescriptions for all oral
and injectable amphetamines used commonly to treat obesity,
narcolepsy and depression.
1954: Height of Japanese addiction: 2 million users in 88.5 million
population
1959: first report of IV injection of contents of benzedrine inhaler.
OTC Benzedrine Inhalers within drawn from market. OTC
Methedrine inhalers offered.
1962: early reports of illicit domestic production by biker gangs
1965: OTC Methedrine inhalers withdrawn from market. 31 million
prescriptions written: mostly to women.
Amphetamine and methamphetamine become Schedule II drugs in
1971
1970-80s cocaine drug of choice until it gets too pricey. People turn to
speed as a substitute
Motorcycle gangs synthesized drug using phenyl-2-propanone until
late 1980’s. P2P became restricted substance, so chemistry shifted to
making P2P from phenyl acetic acid or other ways
1987, DEA busts first HI/Red Phosphorus lab in the country in
California. This method has a higher yield and more potent
methamphetamine. Mexican nationals take over the market from biker
gangs with this method.
1990s: Mexican “Super labs” produce pounds of meth from chemicals
obtained overseas and smuggled across border. Illegal aliens make
the meth in well-organized discreet segments in the Central Valley of
CA.
Current methods (Iodine/Red P or Lithium/Ammonia) using
pseudoephedrine became popular as other chemicals became illegal