Amphetamine Use and Abuse - Essay Example

Strategic Air Command only sanctioned controlled ingestion of this powerful stimulant. Tactical Air Command also sanctioned such use in 1962. Its popularity grew heralding both licit and illicit trading of the drug. Profound levels of abuse were noted to have reached conspicuous levels in the year 1969 eliciting interventions from several quarters. The abuse of this drug are said to have subsided in the 1970s and 1980s with its use being confined to clinical purposes only. It is within this duration that’s its use went through a metamorphosis from licit to illicit .

Abuse of the same found its way back in the 1990s with young people abusing it during parties and dances. Evers since then its abuse seems to have spiraled exponentially with the latest surveys disclosing that up to 3 million American uses it annually on non-medical ground. Asian countries also exhibit close to similar levels of abuse, as the number is a few thousands shy of the twice what is being experienced in the United States. To curb this, several measures have been developed. Campaigns against substance abuse have increased in these regions.

This is mostly so among the vulnerable groups like teens and idle young persons. The availability of the drug has also been limited to prescription only. Any unlicensed trafficking, possession, and possession with the intention to traffic carry very heavy penalties. This has been instituted in the hope that this will curb the illegal trafficking and abuse of this very powerful stimulant with very perilous side effects.(Moore, 2010) CLASSIFICATION OF AMPHETAMINE Amphetamine is scheduled differently globally with other countries scheduling as a stimulant while other like the US schedules it a controlled substance.

According to the U.K laws, they are categorized as class B, schedule 2. Possession of the same without a valid prescription is considered a heinous crime. The supply or produce of the same without a valid license is considered illegal. Any breach of these laws could earn the offender up to 5 years in prison alongside a fine. In the Canadian act list amphetamines as schedule 3. The possession of it, trafficking and even possession with the intention to traffic attracts legal actions since these acts are illegal.

(Cleaner and Serenity, 2004) AALIYAH’S CASE Amphetamine is a very powerful stimulant known to speed up the heart and breathing besides dilating the eyes. As a result though, the individual under the effect of amphetamine feels alert and powerful. The individual feels waves of energy flowing in him or her. The desire to maintain this sweet feeling drives the individuals to the verge of further abuse the drug by taking in more with the bid of continuing to feel nice. Consequently, the individual will likely be emaciated and malnourished to the verge of looking gaunt and unhealthy.

The drug is therefore highly addictive baring any desires for sobriety. Prolonged use of it leads to acute effects like; Aggression Paranoid hostility Psychosis Hallucinations. This is just the tip of the iceberg considering the more chronic effects like; Chest pains Heart failure and convulsions. Aaliyah is still in the initial stages of abuse. The side effects are still tamable and withdrawal still manageable. The situation is not going to remain that way for long though. Sooner or later, if she does not stop abusing the drug, she will graduate to the unsalvageable levels and that will be sad for her.

Withdrawal is not any easy either. Besides the very strong craving for the