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From the Director
The abuse of methamphetamine - a potent psychostimulant - is an extremely serious and growing problem. Although use of methamphetamine initially was limited to a few urban areas in the Southwest, several major Western cities and Hawaii have seen dramatic increases in its use, and rural areas throughout the country are becoming more affected by the drug. In addition, methamphetamine use among significantly diverse populations has been documented.
As part of our Methamphetamine Research Initiative, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has developed this publication to provide an overview of the latest scientific findings on this drug. Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant associated with serious health conditions, including memory loss, aggression, psychotic behavior, and potential heart and brain damage; it also contributes to increased transmission of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.
One of NIDA's most important goals is to translate what scientists learn from research to help the public better understand drug abuse and addiction and to develop more effective strategies for their prevention and treatment. We hope this compilation of scientific information about methamphetamine will help inform readers about the harmful effects of methamphetamine abuse and will assist in prevention and treatment efforts.
Glen R. Hanson, Ph.D., D.D.S.
Acting Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse
If you have the Acrobat reader plug-in for Netscape or Internet Explorer click on the document link and you will be able
to view and/or print out the pages. If you have trouble viewing the document in your browser window, download the document (Windows users - right click on the link and Save as...) to your computer and get Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) in order to view it.
This report is also available in PDF format, Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction, [PDF format, 256 KB]
Also Available in Spanish
All materials appearing in the Research Reports Series are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated.
To obtain printed copies of this report, please call or write the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20852, 1-800-729-6686. NIDA Research Report - Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction: NIH Publication No. 02-4210, Printed April 1998, Reprinted January 2002. 578465times since 2/18/02.
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