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a much stronger “rush” than was previously obtainable. Addictionto methamphetamine continued to escalate.In 1970, the U.S. government passed the original ControlledSubstances Act, and under this law methamphetaminewas classified as a Schedule II drug in its injectable form and aSchedule III in its noninjectable (pill) form. However, a yearlater, both forms of methamphetamine were reclassified asSchedule II drugs. Today, it is still sold under the name Desoxyn®for a few medical uses, such as for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivitydisorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the supply of methamphetaminecontinued to increase to meet the demands of anever-growing population of meth addicts. Methamphetaminerelatedoverdoses and deaths also increased. To stem the risingtide of meth-related overdoses and deaths, Congress passedthe Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act in1996, which established more rigid controls of ingredients inmethamphetamine (such as pseudoephedrine—see discussionthat follows) and imposed stiffer penalties for the manufacture,distribution, and possession of the drug.WHAT METHAMPHETAMINELOOKS LIKE AND HOW IT IS TAKENMethamphetamine most often comes in the form of white orclear crystals, which give it its nickname “ice” or “glass.”Methamphetamine crystals can also be brown in color. Thesecrystals are most often smoked with a pipe or snorted (Figure 2.1)and can easily be dissolved in water and injected intravenously.Methamphetamine crystals are also taken rectally. Meth powderand crystals often contain contaminants and impurities(including lead) from the chemical synthesis process that areoften toxic. Approximately 50 milligrams (mg) of methamphetaminewill give the user a significant high, although theabsolute content of meth in a given batch of powder or crystalsvaries, making it difficult to know the precise amount of the19