K;k;K

Methamphetamine23known to hijack shipments of pseudoephedrine-containingdrugs en route to pharmacies in other countries, divertingthem to the United States instead.PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICALEFFECTS OF METHAMPHETAMINEWhen methamphetamine is smoked or injected intravenously,it produces a rapid intense “rush,” “flash,” or euphoria (verypleasurable sensation) within 3–5 minutes of taking the drug.This rush only lasts a few minutes and is not usually experiencedafter snorting the drug or taking it orally in pill form.After the rush wears off (usually after a few more minutes), theuser becomes extremely alert, active, energetic, and restless,Yaba—MethamphetamineFrom the Far EastRecently there has been a large influx into the United Statesof newer methamphetamine tablets from countries in the FarEast, notably Thailand and Burma. These tablets are brightlycolored, often stamped with letters like “WY” and are calledby their Thai name “yaba.” While the presence of the tablet isso new that use patterns are not yet known, the tablets aremostly found in Asian communities in California. The tabletsare sent from traffickers in Southeast Asia to the United Statesby mail, overnight couriers, or on cargo ships. Because theycome in convenient pill forms, many users take the drugsat dance clubs and raves. The colored pills look very similarto Ecstasy tablets (see Chapter 3). In addition to containing25 – 30 milligrams of methamphetamine, yaba tablets alsocontain 45–65 milligrams of caffeine to give the user anextra energy boost. The pills may also be flavored to tastelike candy. Some users even dissolve yaba pills in alcoholicdrinks and coffee (so-called “bikers’ coffee”).