ABSTRACT
Methamphetamine (meth) is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant and is part of a larger family of stimulant drugs that includes amphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate, Adderall®, and ecstasy. Although meth is more powerful than amphetamine, researchers often fail to make a distinction between the two, and there is evidence that users also may blur the distinction between meth and amphetamine. In an August 8, 2005, cover story, Newsweek called methamphetamine "America's Most Dangerous Drug". The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has categorized methamphetamine as a Schedule II drug, and as such it is recognized as a legitimate-albeit highly regulated-medicine. It is possible that geography helps explain the difference between White and Black patterns of meth use. Knowledge about an illicit drug spreads from the user to the wider drug-using community. Sound policy requires a solid foundation of knowledge built on scientific research and facts.
