WHAT IS CRYSTAL METH?

Crystal methamphetamine is derived from amphetamine, a synthetic drug
that stimulates the heart and respiration, restricts blood vessels,
and induces sleeplessness. Over the years amphetamines have been used
as a legitimate medication as an appetite suppressant for weight loss,
an anti-depressant, and a stimulant. The U.S. Air Force was known to
use amphetamines during World War II to keep its pilots awake on long
missions.

Crystal meth comes in clear, chunky crystals and can be smoked,
injected, or mixed into tablets of the popular party drug ecstasy,
also known as "e".

The drug is easily produced in small, clandestine labs by mixing a
volatile cocktail of about 15 chemicals. The main ingredient
pseudophedrine, a cold remedy, is cooked with chemicals commonly found
at hardware stores, including paint thinner, ammonia, Drano, and
lithium from batteries. The recipe is widely available on the Internet.

While relatively simple to make, crystal meth is also toxic and poses
a serious threat to the environment. Every kilogram of the drug
produces five kilograms of chemical waste that is often dumped into
streams, poured on fields, or flushed down toilets.

Canada's crystal meth problem is worst in the province of British
Columbia. The number of deaths from methamphetamine rose from three in
2000 to 33 in 2004. Most of the deaths were overdoses or traffic
accidents where the driver was high on crystal meth.