The Meth Epidemic Analysis

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In the last 30 years the United States has been under thralls of an epidemic of gigantic proportion known as methamphetamines. In response to this issue Carl Byker wrote and directed an episode for the PBS show Frontline entitled, "The Meth Epidemic.” This report starts out in Oregon from a more localized perspective and then branches out to show how methamphetamine use has spread across the United States. This episode utilizes powerful images created by Deputy Brett King a police officer in booking, who used booking pictures over an extended period of time to show how the use of methamphetamines can physically destroy the body. These people started off with a normal appearance but, not long after the use of meth they were physically transformed …show more content…
Statistics like these lead Steve Suo, a reporter with the Portland Oregonian to investigate deeper into the source of the epidemic. In his video interview, Suo describes how he found a direct relationship to the purity of methamphetamine and the rise and fall of the epidemic. The report then goes on to show how for the last 30 years meth has been produced using different sources to create methamphetamine. Each time lawmakers were able to restrict the supply of one source; but, then methamphetamine producers found new sources and ways to produce pure forms of the drug. Then there is the issue of the pharmaceutical companies using their power to prevent necessary changes in laws that would restrict consumers from obtaining one of their most profitable cold medications with the known ingredient, pseudoephedrine. Though this report shows that much is being done to limit the production of meth; drug producers are still finding ways around the DEA’s efforts. This leaves meth as one of the most inexpensive, highly addictive, and easily available drugs to produce in …show more content…
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug. When taken during pregnancy the drug as the ability to pass through the placenta and intoxicate the fetes. "Exposure to methamphetamine in utero causes increased heart rate and blood pressure in both the fetus and the mother and may cause premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in a spontaneous abortion or premature delivery." (Hohman et al. 2004) Not only does meth use among pregnant women decrease the odds of a living viable baby; but, even if the birth is successful the child faces a greater risk of not developing appropriately. "In a follow up study of methamphetamine-exposed infants...found to be lethargic, with poor eating and alertness." (Hohman et al. 2004) From the womb and through infancy, children of methamphetamine addicts are left with large hurdles to climb but the challenges don't stop

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