Availability of Pseudoephedrine in the Ice and Methamphetamine by Australia Drugs Law Reform Foundation

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Table of Contents

Introduction to Australian drugs laws reform foundation
The availability of pseudoephedrine
Key Developments
The manufacture of methamphetamines or ice
Effects
Tolerance and dependency
How the Drug is administered
Earlier Government Responses
Conclusion
References

Introduction to Australian drugs laws reform foundation

The Australian drug law reform foundation exists to encourage a more rational, tolerant, and humanitarian approach to the problem created by drugs and drug use in Australia (National Drug Intelligence Center). The foundation’s primary objectives are to promote unequivocal opposition to policies of prohibition with regards to illicit drugs of dependency and psychotropic substances and the nation under the adoption of drug policies based on harm reduction strategies (National Drug Intelligence Center). The foundation also promotes the acceptance of responsibility to reform drug laws, policies, and programs as well as the establishment of policies that can control the production, and distribution of drugs of dependence and psychotropic substances.

This foundation aims to seek a national commitment to undermine the black market and illicit trade in drugs of dependence and psychotropic substances with its inherent problems by adopting long-term goals (McGregor C, et al, 2005). These goals include the reassessment of Australia’s commitment to its international treaties on illicit drugs and psychotropic and independent cost-benefit analyses of all policies which seek to resolve the problems of independence as substance issues. Further, this foundation also aims at the reform of drug laws and policies in planned stages with detailed evaluation of such laws at all stages and minimization of harmful use of drugs (McGregor C, et al, 2005).

The availability of pseudoephedrine

This business submission is geared to address the growing concern about the availability of and use of illicit drugs, ice, and methamphetamines of which their key ingredient is pseudoephedrine, and their impact on users. This is an effort to advise the federal government on what can be done to minimize the availability of pseudoephedrine for manufacturers of ice and methamphetamines

Key Developments

Methamphetamine which also refers to as Ice is a synthetic stimulant drug that is generally used for medicinal as well as recreational purposes (Rothman, et al, 2001). For medicinal use, the drug is utilized for the treatment of obesity and mood disorders among many other medical conditions. Methamphetamines can cause a strong feeling of euphoria (Rothman, et al, 2001). This condition can drain an individual physically and often makes the user, when the drug effects subdue, have a comedown effect. These effects can create a desire to consume more and thereby increasing the potential for dependence (McGregor C, et al, 2005).

Methamphetamine given in hospitals and other health care facilities is normally available in tablets, however, illicit one comes in different forms. In the streets, methamphetamines are found as colorless crystalline solids, sold under a variety of names (National Drug Intelligence Center).

Methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1919 and is related to amphetamine which was discovered in 1887 (Nagai N, 1983). During world war two this drug was distributed by allies and axis to troops as a stimulant study and research that Adolf Hitler received shots of these drugs from his doctor (Doyle, D, 2005).

The rise in the legal prescription of methamphetamines to the American public occurred in the 1950s. later in the 1960s, the rise of clandestine production of methamphetamines was significant (Doyle D, 2005). The recreational use of methamphetamines increased tremendously in the 1980s in America and most European countries.

The manufacture of methamphetamines or ice

Like other structurally similar stimulants such as methathine and amphetamine, methamphetamine is manufactured from pseudoephedrine by a chemical reduction process (Digital Creators Studio). Additionally, most of the essential agents for the manufacture of methamphetamines are readily available in household products as well as pharmacies this in effect simplifies the process of its production. In Australia, the production of methamphetamines is between large-scale operations and house-based ones (National Drug Intelligence Center).

Effects

Methamphetamines or ice is a potent central nervous system stimulant (Cunningham J, 2003). It affects neurochemical mechanisms responsible for the regulation of heart rate, body temperature, appetite, attention, mood as well as responses associated with alertness (Cunningham J, 2003). An individual under the influence of methamphetamines experiences an increased focus and mental alertness as well as the elimination of subjective effects of fatigue and loss of appetite. Users interpret these with a sense of well-being or intelligence and/or power (Cunningham J, 2003).

Recent research efforts indicate that prolonged use of methamphetamines can lead to dependency, anxiety reactions, skin rashes, and weight loss (M. Tamura, 1989). The findings further indicate that an overdose can lead to amphetamine psychosis such as paranoia, hallucinations, exhaustion, sleepiness, and depression (M. Tamura, 1989). In the case of neurotrotoxicity, there can be permanent impairment of brain function.

The use of methamphetamines can also produce other side effects such as twitching, repetitive behavior as well as teeth grinding (M. Tamura, 1989). Moreover, regular users of methamphetamines have associated dental problems as a result of lack of saliva teeth grinding, effects of reagents used to produce it, as well as poor dental hygiene (Doyle D, 2005). Further, the use of methamphetamines can result in formication which is a sensation of an individual’s skin-crawling with bugs, with possible compulsive picking and infected sores.

Users are further exposed to higher risks of being infected with sexually transmitted diseases since they tend to become more impulsive in sexual encounters (Rothman, et al, 2001).

Tolerance and dependency

After the drug’s effect subdues, the desired effects drop off as the brain’s transmitter resources are depleted which can lead to the rebound effects (Methamphetamine). Users compensate for these effects by administering more of the drug to sustain their current state of euphoria and alertness. The repetition of the process often leads to the user remaining awake for days which can lead to secondary sleep deprivation effects manifesting in the user (Cunningham J, 2003). These deprivation effects include irritability, blurred vision, memory lapses, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations, nausea, and in some situations death. The prolonged use which leads to irritability is most likely due to lack of sleep.

Additionally, the use of methamphetamines provides extra physical strength which implies that physical dependency can build quicker which is harder to escape (Cunningham J, 2003). Methamphetamines are also psychologically addictive drugs, whereby the mental and social consequences of quitting can be severe and extremely difficult. This drug can also bring about relapse. This is because the brain adapts to methamphetamines, and therefore going clean usually results in slowed thinking, feeling emotionally flat, and depressed.

How the Drug is administered

This drug is administered by means such as swallowing, snorting, dissolving water, and then injection as well as inserting it anally. The potential for dependency on this drug is greater when it is delivered to the body by means that cause the concentration in the blood to rise quickly (McGregor C et al, 2005).

Earlier Government Responses

In the effort to combat methamphetamines manufacture in Australia in 2002 the government introduced a program by the name pseudo watch in pharmacies (National Drug Intelligence Center). This policy permitted the purchase of only one pseudoephedrine pill at a time. Further, the policy mandated for removal of pseudoephedrine production from the shaves.

Research and other studies indicate that there is a steady rise in pseudoephedrine use in Australia and this is clear evidence to show that this policy has produced less satisfactory results in combating the manufacture of methamphetamines (Doyle D, 2005). Given the current methamphetamines situations in Australia and the neighboring countries, it is doubtful that the federal government of Australia will combat and minimize the production of methamphetamine or ice with the current policies and regulations.

This is because manufacturers of methamphetamines and ice have found methamphetamines and ice producing to be attractive for a variety of reasons particularly the high rates of returns on the investment (Doyle D, 2005). Consequently, they are likely to expand their production and trafficking activities to sustain their financial days.

Conclusion

This business submission has presented research efforts that support Legislation to minimize the availability of pseudoephedrine for manufacturers of the ice and methamphetamines in Australia. Considering the medical and social conditions associated with the use of compounds containing pseudoephedrine the government should consider the burning of pseudoephedrine and set of regulations to minimize its availability to criminals.

The “pseudo watch” programs which the federal government adopted in 2002 are inadequate in minimizing the availability of pseudoephedrine in Australia.

The Methamphetamines manufacturing, trafficking, and abuse situation in Australia is unlikely to change shortly if the federal government will not pass legislation and immediately enforce them. The federal government should also consider participating in a variety of diversion–control efforts with the Australian drug reform foundation.

The sole recommendation is to introduce and enforce immediate legislation banning the production of methamphetamines to protect the Australian public from the effects of the drug.

References

Cunningham JK, Liu L (2003) Impacts of Federal on pseudoephedrin regulations and methamphetamine-related hospital admissions. Addiction, 98, 1229-1237.

Doyle, D (2005). “Hitler’s Medical Care” Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 35: 75-82. 2007.

Digital Creators Studio Yama-Arashi (2007-09-16). Various Antidepressants. 2007.

Law Enforcement Facts. Methamphetamine. Drugscope. 2007.

M. Tamura (1989) stimulant epidemics past and present. Bulletin on Narcotics 83-93. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2007.

McGregor C, Srisurapanont M, Jittiwutikarn J, Laobhripatr S, Wongtan T, White J (2005). “The nature, time course and severity of methamphetamine withdrawal.” Addiction 100 (9): 1320-9.

Methamphetamine National Drug Threat. Assessment 2007.

Nagai N. (1983). “Kanyaku maou seibun kenkyuu seiseki (zoku)”. Yakugaku Zashi 13: 901.

Rothman, et al (2001). “Amphetamine-Type Central Nervous System potently that they Release Dopamine and Serotonin.” Synapse 39, 32-41 (Table V. on page 37) SID 271075 PubChem Substance Page on Methamphetamine

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