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 establish 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 available today than was five years ago. But those are pretty good timeframes.
Juanita: What is the physical/physiological effect of methamphetamine on the human body?
Sterling: Physically, very debilitating, especially for lasting 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, either 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 former applications to how it has become the national epidemic that it is today?
Sterling:Originally, it was plan that meth could operate clear physical ailments, for example, Parkinson’s Disease. Also it could be used to operate weight, and it could be used to assist population with clear 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 clear side affects, the possible for abuse is high. After being spread throughout the Us, originally by the Hell’s Angels, it became clear to clear population that the ingredients to make methamphetamine were absolutely obtainable, and that only a high school knowledge of chemistry was required to establish 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 over all socio-economic boundaries. As casual cocaine users began to comprehend 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 total physical condition become obvious.
Juanita: It is tasteless knowledge that methamphetamine is very hazardous 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 management or suitable lab procedures, the chemical reactions can cause explosions. Also, cooking is commonly done on transported gas stoves, which are inherently hazardous when not ventilated or used properly. A person that will risk manufacturing the drug probably does not have the same idea of protection 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 complicated 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 single 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 over the country. Open spaces away from big cities and population centers give the cook the best chance of avoiding being caught. This is absolutely what happened on my ranch in Central Texas.
Juanita: You had a deeply personal sense with a family member that was complex with methamphetamine. Your book conveys this but can you give us some insight into how this sense has effected or changed you?
Sterling: To be honest, this roughly destroyed me. Not only because of the death threats while this was happening, but the emotional baggage and depression from the disunion dragging on for two years. As one physician told me, a disunion 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, either 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 fill in 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 comprehend how hazardous this drug can be to the tasteless person, and how it can make a tasteless 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 over the Us. It is also spreading around the world, and has been for a long time. But that is a branch for added research.
Juanita: How can readers sense 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 chance 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 qoute 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
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