Rural Crime & Justice CenterA University Center of Excellence

Minot, North Dakota

Historical Overview

• 1887Amphetamine was first synthesized in Germany.

• 1919Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, was synthesized in Japan. It was discovered to be more potent and easier to make than amphetamine. Narconon Arrowhead

www.methamphetamineaddiction.com

• Late 1920’sAmphetamine was used to treat epilepsy, schizophrenia, alcoholism, opiate addiction, migraines, head injuries, and irradiation sickness.

• 1932Amphetamine was first marketed as Benzedrine, an over-the-counter inhaler to treat congestion.

Recreational Drugs Info www.inforules.com/models/m-net.pdf

Historical Overview

Historical Overview

• 1935 Narcolepsy was added to the list

of accepted uses. • 1937

Amphetamine was found to have a positive effect on some children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Recreational Drugs Info www.inforules.com/models/m-net.pdf

Historical Overview

• 1937 Amphetamine became available in

a tablet form by prescription. • 1939 – 1945 (World War II)

An estimated 200 million tablets were distributed to American troops.

Longest recorded period of wakefulness was 54 days!

Drug Identification Bible 2004-2005 www.drugidbible.com

Historical Overview

• 1951 Amphetamine became regulated

and was available only by a prescription, however, the accepted uses increased.

• 1967A record 31 million prescriptions were written for amphetamine.

Drug Identification Bible 2004-2005 www.drugidbible.com

Historical Overview

• 1970 The Controlled Substances Act of

1970 placed all drugs into one of five schedules.Restricted the manufacture, distribution and

use of amphetamines.

Limited the medically-accepted uses to narcolepsy, attention deficit disorders, and short-term obesity.

Can only be received by a written prescription that

can not be refilled.

Drug Identification Bible 2004-2005 www.drugidbible.com

Historical Overview

• 1970’s to 1990’s Amphetamine abuse began to

decline; however, methamphetamine abuse dramatically increased.

• 1996 Comprehensive

Methamphetamine Control Act increased regulation on chemicals used in illegal production.Drug Identification Bible

2004-2005 www.drugidbible.com

Historical Overview

• 2002 to 2003 The incidence of positive drug

tests attributed to methamphetamine increased by more than 68%.

• 2005 Approximately 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine at least once, with 1.4 million reporting use in the past year.

Drug Trusting Index Quest Diagnostics Inc.

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