Meth and my fascination

Methamphetamines fascinate me. No, I don’t use them – never have and never will – I’m just fascinated by their production, usage, and consequences. Back at my high school we had the occasional tweeker, but association was rare and I seldom got to know any of them. I wish I had, however. I mean, there at school would have been great grounds to do so. I wouldn’t have become “buddy-buddy” with them, just acquaintances to better understand their drugged life and why they have become addicts. I would not have offered my phone numbers or personal information, just a name for them to remember me when we passed between classes.

One of my primary fascinations is how these tweekers become educated on producing meth. I don’t understand why their knowledge in that arena doesn’t translate to chemistry class. Because the concoction contains ingredients like phosphorous from road flares or matchbooks, ephedrine typically from cold meds, #7 iodine crystals, and aluminum foil – resourceful. Furthermore, the production process utilizes a hot plate, many jugs and hoses, timers, Coleman fuel, and Red Devil lye. It’s enough information and step-by-step procedures to fill a textbook.

Second –the transition from happy, successful student to meth-head. It’s not doubt a sad progression, but interesting to note. The meth-users at my school always wore oversized black sweatshirts, even in the Arizona summer months, with jeans displaying their gallery of artwork derived from Bic pens and doodles during class lectures. Huge skateboarding shoes were also necessary. I think the sweatshirts were used for storing their drugs in addition to covering their blotchy and dried skin. (But again, I wouldn’t know as I didn’t make the most of my opportunity). Heavy eye makeup and straw-like hair were also identifiers. And finally, tweekers hung out with tweekers, but no mixing with the outside world. It’s as if no one else could possibly understand their lifestyle at any level to be able to hang with them.

Third – they’re hooked, and there’s no letting go. Depending on when they start using, meth can end their life in the 20s, 30s, or even teens if overdosed. And it’s the body’s physical appearance I also find interesting. Meth has a way to age someone unlike most other drugs. I remember in my health classes seeing pictures of a meth user at age 16, and then at age 20, and finally age 30. The progression was horrific. A twenty-some year old could look 50 or 60 years old, but not even a healthy person of this mid-to-late age – a sick 50-some year old resting on their deathbed. Their eyes are sunk into their skull, hair is falling out, skin is scaly and spotted, teeth yellowed and sometimes missing, fingernails gnarly and yellow-tinged. It’s disgusting, and furthermore, adds to my fascination as to how and why these kids get hooked. What part of health class did they miss?

The formula for meth is C(10)H(15)N. Urban Dictionary defines meth as “A Redneck population control device.” Wikipedia as “Methamphetamine (methylamphetamine or desoxyephedrine), popularly shortened to meth, is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug. It is prescribed for severe cases of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or narcolepsy under the brand name Desoxyn. It is also used illegally for recreational purposes. "Crystal meth" refers to the crystalline, smokeable form of the drug and is not used for the drug in pill or powdered form.”