Reader Views would like to welcome Sterling R. Braswell, author of “American Meth: A History of the Methamphetamine Epidemic in America.” Sterling is talking with Juanita Watson, the Assistant Editor of Reader Views.
Juanita: Thank you for talking with us today Sterling. Please tell us about your book and what readers can expect from reading “American Meth: A History of the Methamphetamine Epidemic in America.”
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Sterling:I think readers will be shocked to find out the history of this drug and epidemic. They may also take relax in the personal story, if they have experienced meth abuse in their own lives. They are not alone.
Juanita: What inspired you to write this historical look at methamphetamine?
Sterling: I didn’t start out to write a book, I was holding a journal of the sordid details of a nasty divorce. I could not find any good information, so I did a lot of research, a lot of interviews with medical professionals, law enforcement, and substance abuse counselors. I decided I should document this for others population to learn about the drug as well
Juanita: Where did the form and use of methamphetamine start?
Sterling:There are conflicting stories now about the actual time. But from my research, it looks like amphetamine was first synthesized in the late 1880’s. Methamphetamine probably first synthesized in the l9 teens, around the time of Wwi. More facts is ready today than was five years ago. But those are pretty good timeframes.
Juanita: What is the physical/physiological supervene of methamphetamine on the human body?
Sterling: Physically, very debilitating, especially for continuing or heavy users. Damage to dopamine receptors in the brain. Side effects from the physical abuse of this drug can be even worse; lack of taking care of oneself, meth mouth (caused by lack of dental hygiene and improper diet, not as many favorite articles would say, by chemical reaction with the drug itself).
Juanita: What about its psychological effects?
Sterling: Paranoia, itching and crawling sensation, whether real or imagined, on the skin. I think I said it best in the book “they begin to live and behave like frightened wild animals.”
Juanita: How has the use of methamphetamine progressed from its original applications to how it has become the national epidemic that it is today?
Sterling:Originally, it was understanding that meth could control definite physical ailments, for example, Parkinson’s Disease. Also it could be used to control weight, and it could be used to sustain population with definite mental/medical conditions. Before long term affects were known, the drug gave the user/patient a feeling of well-being and confidence. But with any drug that has the definite side affects, the inherent for abuse is high. After being spread throughout the Us, originally by the Hell’s Angels, it became clear to definite population that the ingredients to make methamphetamine were categorically obtainable, and that only a high school knowledge of chemistry was required to form it. With the arrival of the internet, and rapid sharing of communications, the recipes and knowledge spread quickly, to where today we do have an epidemic on our hands.
Juanita: population from all walks of life are using methamphetamine. Why do you think it has affected such a wide range of people?
Sterling: Early on, it was known as the ‘poor man’s cocaine,’ but as it spread throughout the Us, it began showing up across all socio-economic boundaries. As casual cocaine users began to perceive that methamphetamine could be stronger and offer a better high than cocaine, it became more prevalent throughout the population.
Juanita: What are some tell tale signs of methamphetamine abuse?
Sterling:Erratic behavior, skin sores, and after extended use, poor diet and oral hygiene. Note that like other drugs, early use may not be apparent to people. Over time however, as paranoia and addiction come into place, the strange behavior and poor allinclusive physical health become obvious.
Juanita: It is base knowledge that methamphetamine is very dangerous to make. Why is this and how can one spot a methamphetamine lab?
Sterling: Using battery acid, ammonia, and other combinations of other household products to turn ephedrine or pseudo ephedrine into methamphetamine is dangerous. The chemicals have to be cooked on heat, and with no administration or accepted lab procedures, the chemical reactions can cause explosions. Also, cooking is commonly done on portable gas stoves, which are inherently dangerous when not ventilated or used properly. A person that will risk manufacturing the drug probably does not have the same idea of safety as a ‘normal person’, and that person may be high on the drug and thus exhibiting the erratic behavior mentioned earlier.
The smell generating by a working meth lab is a strong ammonia or chemical smell. In many cases, population have equated the smell to stale pet urine, especially after an enclosed location is used for manifold cooking sessions. Also, witnessing a lot of waste products, from ammonia, acids, and even spent hypodermic needles would indicate the nearnessy of a meth lab.
Juanita: Are there singular areas of the country where methamphetamine abuse is significantly higher than others?
Sterling: Originally California was the hot spot. However, it spread rapidly into the Midwest and Pacwest. Although not covered specifically in the book, when the Us curtailed raw materials arrival from Mexico to California, the smaller home grown labs moved out across the country. Open spaces away from big cities and population centers give the cook the best opening of avoiding being caught. This is categorically what happened on my ranch in Central Texas.
Juanita: You had a deeply personal touch with a family member that was complicated with methamphetamine. Your book conveys this but can you give us some insight into how this touch has effected or changed you?
Sterling: To be honest, this almost destroyed me. Not only because of the death threats while this was happening, but the emotional baggage and depression from the disjunction dragging on for two years. As one physician told me, a disjunction like this, when it involves substance abuse of this nature, destroys one’s body, mind, and soul, not to mention finances. But a few years later, I have rebuilt my life; the book was hard to write but good therapy. As for personal change, I look at many things differently when it concerns substance abuse of any kind, whether it is with friends, family or coworkers. I believe this made me much more aware of events that I never knew were happening around me.
Juanita:Sterling, why do you think it is critically important for population to edify themselves with the history of methamphetamine?
Sterling: I think the history of the drug is important so that population will understand the implications of how this drug can destroy a person. Would we have had Wwii if Hitler hadn’t been a meth addict? Probably. Would Charles Manson have ordered the killing of innocent population in Los Angeles had he not been addicted to meth? Maybe. But population need to perceive how dangerous this drug can be to the base person, and how it can make a base person do things that rational population would not do. Also, population should be aware that this drug just did not appear overnight in the 1990’s. It had a quiet growing affect on the population, and suddenly, with the world wide web sharing of recipes for manufacture, the idea of meth spread rapidly across the Us. It is also spreading around the world, and has been for a long time. But that is a field for further research.
Juanita: How can readers touch you and/or find out more about “American Meth”?
Sterling: You can check out my website/blog at [http://www.americanmeth.com]. Also, many readers have contacted me via email, and you can reach me via email at sterlinb@streetgang.org.
Juanita: Thank you for talking with us today Sterling. You have written a very relevant book for our time. The Meth epidemic is on the rise and we may all have the opening of it some way touching our lives in the future. Do you have any last thoughts for your readers?
Sterling: Educate yourselves, and be aware of the warning signs of methamphetamine abuse. If you presuppose it’s happening in or near your life, seek facts in the form of books, videos, and the world wide web. And ask for help with your situation. Drug Counselors and Doctors are much more aware of this problem than five or even two years ago, and there are programs that can help you if you find yourself confronted with meth.
Interview for "American Meth: A History of the Methamphetamine Epidemic" author Sterling R Braswell
