Opinions - Study Busts Meth 'Myths,' Says Abuse Is Not an Epidemic or Even Widespread

[Swimster]

Fox News Article

Study Busts Meth 'Myths,' Says Abuse Is Not an Epidemic or Even Widespread

WASHINGTON — Methamphetamine use is rare in most of the United States, not the raging epidemic described by politicians and the news media, says a study by an advocacy group.
Meth is a dangerous drug but among the least commonly used, The Sentencing Project policy analyst Ryan King wrote in a report issued Wednesday. Rates of use have been stable since 1999, and among teenagers meth use has dropped, King said.
"The portrayal of methamphetamine in the United States as an epidemic spreading across the country has been grossly overstated," King said. The Sentencing Project is a not-for-profit group that supports alternatives to prison terms for convicted drug users and other criminals. Overheated rhetoric, unsupported assertions and factual errors about the use of the drug — including frequent, misguided comparisons between meth and crack cocaine — lead to poor decisions about how to spend precious public dollars combating drug addiction, King said. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy did not immediately comment on the report.

The report cites statistics compiled by the government to make its case, including a 2004 survey that estimated 583,000 people used meth in the past month, or two-10ths of 1 percent of the U.S. population. Four times as many people use cocaine regularly and 30 times as many use marijuana, King said. A separate survey of high-school students showed a 36 percent drop in meth use between 2001 and 2005. The report acknowledged that methamphetamine is more widely used today than it was 10 years ago. Data from the jail populations of a handful of cities on the West Coast also show what King called a "highly localized" problem. Among men arrested in Phoenix, 38.3 percent tested positive for methamphetamine. Figures for other cities are: Los Angeles, 28.7 percent; Portland, Ore., 25.4; San Diego, 36.2 percent; and San Jose, Calif., 36.9 percent. But nationally, just 5 percent of men who had been arrested had meth in their systems. By contrast, 30 percent tested positive for cocaine and 44 percent for marijuana, the report said, citing government statistics. Treatment programs for meth also have been portrayed inaccurately, with news reports suggesting that meth users do not respond as well to treatment as users of other drugs, King said. The Bush administration's recent methamphetamine control strategy also referred to a "common misperception that methamphetamine is so addictive that it is impossible to treat." Programs in 15 states have had promising results, King said. "Mischaracterizing the impact of methamphetamine by exaggerating its prevalence and consequences while downplaying its receptivity to treatment succeeds neither as a tool of prevention nor a vehicle of education," he wrote. King called for a tempered approach to the problem, keeping the focus on local trouble spots and using federal money to beef up treatment programs.

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SOURCE: foxnews.com/story/0,2933,199543,00.html

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Thanks for posting - Nice info....
	Good find, thanks

[Spyder]

Nice find....Interesting read.

This totally reminds swiS of the Way over the top! Scare tactics with "Crack" in the 80's (here in the U.S.). swiS isn't suggesting there wasn't a problem, BUT...All of the mis-information and embellished horror stories about crack babies, people freaking out, killing spree's, whatever....It began all of the totally un-balanced sentencing guidelines for crack vs. powder cocaine which are still around today, in addition to the following decade full of lacking treatment facilities, massive costs and overcrowding prisons (instead of giving help, swiWe decided to lock 'em ALL UP). Pretty much, when it came to crack, the US decided to toss 'em in jail and toss away the key.....

The same fear based press and legal aspects (Sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, etc) are being applied to Methamphetamine --- It's the same fucking thing happening all over again.....

Any thoughts...S

PS: SwiS forgets where he read the quote, "Those who do not study and remember history will be forced to repeat it" totally forget where he learned it, but it sure applies here.....

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good points

[Nacho]

Originally Posted by Spyder

Nice find....Interesting read.

This totally reminds swiS of the Way over the top! Scare tactics with "Crack" in the 80's (here in the U.S.). swiS isn't suggesting there wasn't a problem, BUT...All of the mis-information and embellished horror stories about crack babies, people freaking out, killing spree's, whatever....It began all of the totally un-balanced sentencing guidelines for crack vs. powder cocaine which are still around today, in addition to the following decade full of lacking treatment facilities, massive costs and overcrowding prisons (instead of giving help, swiWe decided to lock 'em ALL UP). Pretty much, when it came to crack, the US decided to toss 'em in jail and toss away the key.....

The same fear based press and legal aspects (Sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, etc) are being applied to Methamphetamine --- It's the same fucking thing happening all over again.....

Any thoughts...S

PS: SwiS forgets where he read the quote, "Those who do not study and remember history will be forced to repeat it" totally forget where he learned it, but it sure applies here.....

A quick Google search shows that a man by the name of George Santayana said:"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." Wikipedia says it's a very misquoted remark. Either way, the point gets across and is very true.

[fiveleggedrat]

Yeah, Swim would have to agree meth use is greatly overestimated, especially in the USA.

In the Central Florida area, every dealer Swim met said, more or less: "I have no idea where to find that."

Everyone from low level street dealers to brick movers, selling coke, H, E pills, whatever. No one EVER had meth, or even any type of amphetamine. Never met a meth user either, but Swim had no problem finding crackheads or H junkies.

[Swimster]

Agreed. And it is seeming to happen again. There are a number of statements that are rediculous.

Just do a google search on 'Meth facts'. Anyway, im discusted that they would say that those lame exaggerations are facts. More like rumors, is what the hell they are!

The Gov should preach real facts and knowledge.

One of the biggest thing that bother swim is that they lock them up. Reminds swim of bad parents who punish their children without realy tring to talk/help. Like the kid will understand or some crap.

...To throw in, swim thinks one of their "strong points" is the "meth face" thing, what do swiys think?
Swim believes it is weak because all of their pictures were probably all of the pictures in the county of meth users in jail that coincidentaly had messed up faces. Which isn't much, compared to the number of users across the country. And any of those face could of easily of been from anything else. After all wern't the people all in jail/pris anyway? heh.

btw, nice post spyder.

[Spyder]

Sorry swiNacho....SwiS knew he wasn't word for word...but was only trying to make the point, didn't take the time to stop and find the source for the quote.....got the point across though. Thanks for the info though...appreciated...(that quote was posted in his High School history teachers room, almost 20yrs ago!....getting old!)

Yea, that "Meth Mouth" thing, although printed all over, there is tons of evidence that says Meth DOES NOTHING specific to the teeth/face. It's really the horrible sugar diet and lack of any grooming that does it. Now, of course addicition can put people in many positions....but, let's at least get the facts right.

The other one that drives swiS CRAZY....is the shit saying, "Meth is made from paint thinner, explosive shit, etc."

If anyone would ever see the industrial processes used to make Tylenol, Advil, ect. Also, these types of solvents are used. Just because something is used in a chemical process dosn't mean it's in the final shit!

For example: NaHO (Lye-very corrosive) + HCl (Hydrochloric aciD!) = Water + Salt

basic chemistry....scare tactics...nothing more! S

[Will21st]

The whole thing is quite clear,isn't it?

1. 'New' Drug emerges

2.'We must stop the scourge of E,H,Coke,LSD whatever,before it spreads and destroys society.

3.Police/Politicians/News/Authorities realize that they can't stop the drugs

4.move on to next drug menace

I have seen XTC emerge from 50 Deutschmark ($25) a pill sold in clubs only in the early 90's go to $5 a pill on every street corner 3-4 years ago.It's always the same bull.

They just need a new scare every now and then....because god forbid anybody asked questions about the other drugs that couldn't be stopped in the past.

DISASTER!!!

Reputation Comments on this post:

Great way to put it....

[Spyder]

swiWill, Great way to put it! This is 100% spot on! One thing to add that swiI overlooked originally, the best part for "Them" about calling this a Menace is getting elected.

"If elected to office, swiI will help clean our streets and get rid of XXX" , this is heard every election, the actual substance may change, the the story is the same.

The best part (that swiWill pointed out) is then they just move on to the next substance....The funny part is, they never really admit any failure for the 1st thing....They just find a newer and bigger "Menace" and shine the light onto it, and for some reason, everyone just kinda forgets about the last one.....EXACTLY like Crack, all that news/hype/etc. about crack....today-Nothing....although, it's still on every corner, even cheaper than before.

S

[jord4n007]

if they don't manipulate the general public into a frenzy, then the public will tend to stop worrying about the 'drug problem' and focus more on real problems like healthcare and the economy. This would potentially (and probably) result in a demand for reduced funding for the DEA and other Narc Units (and along the line prisons, police, etc.) in order to fund new healthcare/economic programs. There is a whole lot of money tied up in the drug war, and they won't give it up - whether they have to lie, steal, kill, commit perjury, or use their favorite weapon social moral conditioning.....

Reputation Comments on this post:

$$ and power, always the bottomline. Whether it's the cartels or the political douche-bags...same difference...nicely p...

[Will21st]

Originally Posted by jord4n007

if they don't manipulate the general public into a frenzy, then the public will tend to stop worrying about the 'drug problem' and focus more on real problems like healthcare and the economy. This would potentially (and probably) result in a demand for reduced funding for the DEA and other Narc Units (and along the line prisons, police, etc.) in order to fund new healthcare/economic programs. There is a whole lot of money tied up in the drug war, and they won't give it up - whether they have to lie, steal, kill, commit perjury, or use their favorite weapon social moral conditioning.....

words of wisdom!

Will21st added 8 Minutes and 29 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by Spyder

swiWill, Great way to put it! This is 100% spot on! One thing to add that swiI overlooked originally, the best part for "Them" about calling this a Menace is getting elected.

"If elected to office, swiI will help clean our streets and get rid of XXX" , this is heard every election, the actual substance may change, the the story is the same.

The best part (that swiWill pointed out) is then they just move on to the next substance....The funny part is, they never really admit any failure for the 1st thing....They just find a newer and bigger "Menace" and shine the light onto it, and for some reason, everyone just kinda forgets about the last one.....EXACTLY like Crack, all that news/hype/etc. about crack....today-Nothing....although, it's still on every corner, even cheaper than before.

S

very well put! Yeah,Crack is everywhere.... I remember in the late 80's,what a scare Heroin was,and look at it now! Now some governments even prescribe it!

One more thing: I saw a film on a german news website about a Heroin prescription program in Frankfurt/Germany.the conservatives of the Federal German government want to end the program. Then they showed a doctor who works on the program,and he said that since they started the H-prescription,NOT A SINGLE CRIME HAD BEEN COMMITED BY THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED!!!!

And those were junkies who habitually thieved and robbed to feed their habits!

but guess what.... if alcohol was illegal tomorrow,alkies would do the same thing,so

[fiveleggedrat]

Yet no one would EVER believe alcoholics would do anything bad

[Spyder]

swiJord...that's another good point, $$ & Power, whether it's the drug cartels or those political douche-bags....they both want it and go about getting it in pretty much the same ways.

This was a good point though, there is a Massive infra-structure built around the "war on drugs" now....A massive reallization by the public that it's a total waste and $ should go to healthcare/economy would be a massive blow to this drug war 'organization' ...many many people politicans, etc are lining their pockets w/ cash from the 'war' , no way they are letting this cash cow go away.

[Nature Boy]

Meth use is exaggerated in order to bolster up the argument against all-substance drug legalization. A classic example is the politician under scrutiny from a L.E.A.P. member or a medicinal marijuana activist: - "Would you legalize crystal meth then?"

[Will21st]

Originally Posted by Nature Boy

Meth use is exaggerated in order to bolster up the argument against all-substance drug legalization. A classic example is the politician under scrutiny from a L.E.A.P. member or a medicinal marijuana activist: - "Would you legalize crystal meth then?"

Yep,always conjure up the biggest,irrational threat there is.Makes a great,giant club to silence all those other demands!!

[Spyder]

SwiS won't go too far off topic, BUT....it drives swiS CRAZY when (as stated above...) "they" describe Meth as this totally insane mixture of posions/paint thinners/shit/etc.

The following is an overview of research "They" 'sweep under the rug':
METHAMPHETAMINE OCCURS IN NATURE - It occurs naturally in Acacia Berlandieri and possibly Acacia Rigidula, trees which grow in west Texas. Acacia trees contain numerous other psychoactive compounds (i.e.: Amphetamine, Mescaline, Nicotine, DMT, etc. ...).

Scientific papers detailing the presence of methamphetamine in Acacia berlandieri did not exist until 1997/1998 - Prior to these studies, it was believed to be a man made substance....Hey, if it comes from trees, how bad can it be...LOL

Actually, during study of Acacia Berlandieri and extraction/identification of it's Alkaloids - A total of 5 Amphetamines, previously believed to be human inventions, were identified. Of these, 2 are Schedule II drugs(Amphetamine and Methamphetamine), 2 are Schedule I drugs(N,N-Dimethylamphetamine and 4-Methoxyamphetamine), and the fifth is a major human metabolite of Amphetamine.

So much for how these "Dirty" drugs are nothing more than some 'Shit' cooked up in a chemists basement. Much more "Natural" than a Tylenol.

Sorry, didn't intend to create a Novel! But, swiSpyder wanted to make sure those who come across the thread realize the extent that the "FACTS" are being hidden from the public. The Alkaloid discovery in these trees is unprecedented (Nearly 40 Alkaloids identified in total), yet it has received nearly zero press (Except in small, closed academic communities)!

Can swiYou imagine if the next "Truth about Meth" article really was the "Truth"! The fucking general public would go crazy!!!

Any Thoughts?..............S


SOURCES:
1. Acacias and Natural Amphetamine ; Ask Dr. Shulgin Online, ARCHIVE: 9/26/01
2. Toxic Amines and Alkaloids from Acacia Rigidula ; B. Clement, C. Goff, T. Forbes;
Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, Texas A&M University
3. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_...ri#cite_note-4

PS: SwiS does not mean to imply addiction is not dangerous or Meth is 'safe', but rather shed light on the misrepresentation or outright wrong "Facts". Obviously, any drug (even caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, etc.) used improperly or in excess is dangerous. Prove them wrong - Keep it in check. Play safe!