For example, the National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health calculated that between the years 1997 – 2007, there was a rise in methamphetamine drug related problems from 53,694 to 137,154 in total. In addition to the number of meth user went up a total of 38% from 2008 to 2009. This exemplifies how the rise in the illicit economy has made the number of meth drug user’s skyrocket. A recent empirical study conducted by the Rand Corporation concluded that the total economic cost of meth to the American economy totaled $16.2 to $48 …show more content…
The distribution of meth products in certain population demographics has a massive negative affect on the citizens of the area and the community as a whole. Many studies have shown that there is a correlation between the distribution of methamphetamine and homelessness, prostitution, drug abuse, and child abuse. Flooding the streets with this product creates a deviant presence in the environment. The individuals in these environments use this product as a means of survival and often fall victim to the measures people are willing to take in order to secure the resource. These labs are present in these specific demographics and further enable the disorganization to continue. Exposure to any of the chemicals used in clandestine labs to produce methamphetamine also create various health problems for constituents living in the area or are temporarily close enough for exposure. Contaminants sometimes gets in the water supply and in food supply as well. As you can see, the labs release toxins into the environments numerous