Centre of Foundation Studies for Agricultural Science

Universiti Putra Malaysia

ASC0305 Chemistry II
Session 2019/2020
Assignment (Expository Essay 500 – 600 words)

Name:NURUL:KAMILIA BINTI MOHD SHOBKI

Matric Number:AS10469
Lecture Group:16
Title:Methamphetamine Addiction-The Side Effects

Methamphetamine have its alternative name crystal meth or meth. A psych stimulant
drug well-known for its recreational use. While Amphetamine, a drug that helps in treating ADHD,
narcolepsy and obesity,this drug is chemically similar with Methamphetamine, however
Methamphetamine being more robust and highly addictive. It is barely prescribed for medical
treatment.Physical properties of meth are solid, odourless,bitter-tasting,have boiling point of
212 °C and melting point of 170-2 °C Methamphetamine,(C10H15N),have functional group of
methyl group and its molecular structure is shown below.

.First synthesized by Japanese chemist and was advanced in Japan year 1919, this drug being the
perfect candidate for injection because of its crystalline powder that was soluble in water.
Methamphetamine were long-established since World War II when the Allies and Axis powers
both used the drug to keep squad awake. Meth consumption raise adequately after the
war, indeed after it was banned by the United States in 1970. Japanese Kamikaze pilots were
given high doses prior to their errands. Meth also used by Japanese factory workers to work
lasting hours. Methamphetamine were use as diets aid and to treat depression in 1950s.

Meth is a synthetic counterfeit drug.Meth was synthesized from Ephedrine by Nagai

Nagayoshi, a chemist from Japan.A stimulant called Ephedrine is the active chemical in
ephedra. In traditional Chinese medicine, they use extraction from Ephedra which is a type
of shrub for over 5,000 years. Later in 1919, pharmacologist, Akira Ogata synthesized
meth in the form of methamphetamine hydrochloride by reduction method of Ephedrine
using iodine and red phosphorus. Most common reduction is the reduction of Ephedrine
with hydro iodic acid and hypo phosphorus acid. Hydro iodic acid is used to reduce the
ephedrine in order to get Pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is then modified lightly by
stripping of Benzylic as alcohol found off the nitrogen molecule and replaced with
hydrogen molecule to make Methamphetamine.
Meth can be blend with liquid then infused to your body by using needle syringe. Either
than that it also can be snort up the nose or eat the pill. It offer some profits to human
which are used to reverse barbiturate overdoses and even during surgery it use to lift the blood
pressure. Against stroke, meth can be neuroprotective and traumatic brain injury, as well as
stimulating the growth of brain cells. Besides the benefits, there are numerous compromise of
excessive Methamphetamine intake to human health. Initially, Meth provoke an exhilaration of
pleasure, but then enjoyer ambience edgy, extremely excite, afraid or outraged. Meth uses can
expeditiously causes addiction. It gives rise to medical complication including bring about high body
temperature that you can lose consciousness, thinking and emotional issues, an irregular heartbeat
including insomnia. People around the world are extensively abusing Methamphetamine. Some of the
drug addiction symptoms are hair loss, meth mouth, problem with skin and tweaking-a period of
anxiety and insomnia that can last for 3 to 15 days.

Current issues of Methamphetamine is the METH EPIDEMIC. This outbreak occurred because the
trend in drug used is rising. Many people start using it and become addicted so the production also
begin to increase even it is illegally produce. One country that is fighting on this war is the United
States. In my opinion, to inhibit this issue from becoming severe, we should civilize ourselves and the
community about the dangers of meth addict and the negative effect of meth on community through
campaign. Also the government should tightens the law to make the public more discipline.

In conclusion, Methamphetamine is a perilous drug that offering pleasure to the users by promising an
intense high and it is able to buy as it is relatively modest in price. “LOVE YOURSELF INSTEAD OF
ABUSING YOURSELF, IT IS YOUR GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY”.

(Word count: 603 words)

Turnitin result: 10%

References:

1) http://flipper.diff.org/app/items/info/6027
2) https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/history-of-methamphetamine.htm
3) https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2020-01-03/us-saw-big-rise-in-meth-fentanyl-
use-in-2019
4) https://khn.org/news/meth-vs-opioids-america-has-two-drug-epidemics-but-focuses-on-one/