Impact of Amphetamines on Modern Society

¶ … Consequence and Benefits to Society of the Use, Abuse, Misuse, and Overuse of Amphetamines

Used by the armed forces during World War II and U.S. Air Force pilots today to help them remain alert on long missions as well as in various legitimate medical applications such as treating attention deficit disorder in children, amphetamines have been shown to be a definite benefit to modern society. Conversely, when this drug is abused, misused or overused, the health consequences can be severe, including death. To determine the facts, this paper reviews the relevant literature a brief history of amphetamines, their licit and illicit pathways, and the impact of their use, abuse, misuse and overuse on individuals, families, and society. Finally, a summary of the research and important findings concerning amphetamines and modern society are provided in the conclusion.

Brief History of Amphetamines

Amphetamine was first synthesized in a laboratory in 1887 by a Romanian chemist named Lazar Edeleanu from a Chinese plant containing ephedrine (History of amphetamines, 2015). According to Newton (2010), though, "Edeleanu's discovery was largely ignored for four decades before Gordon Alles, working at the time at the University of California at Los Angeles, repeated Edeleanu's work to explore the effects of amphetamine on humans (using himself as a subject)" (pp. 28-29). Based on Alles' work, it was determined that amphetamine was even more effective than ephedrine as a stimulant and the drug has been incorporated into a wide range of medicines ever since (Newton, 2010). Widespread use of amphetamines by the armed forces in World War II combined with ease of access have resulted in amphetamine abuse being a national health care problem since the mid-20th century and many states report that its abuse remains their leading drug problem today (Newton, 2010).

Licit and Illicit Pathways

Amphetamine is a versatile drug that can be administered through a number of different pathways. The drug can be administered in pill form, injected, or inhaled in various ways such as snorting or smoking (Newton, 2010). The immediate effects of ingesting amphetamine in any form include elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate and respiration, euphoria, diminished appetite, enhanced attentiveness and desire for physical activity (Newton, 2010). Overdoses of amphetamines can have severe consequences, including arrhythmia, respiratory and cardiovascular complications and even death (Newton, 2010). The long-term effects of amphetamine abuse, misuse and overuse are likewise severe, and besides death, include increased violent behaviors, paranoia and hallucinations (Newton, 2010).

Impact of Amphetamines on Modern Society

The economic toll that is exacted by amphetamine abuse, misuse and overuse is staggering, and has been estimated at over $23 billion a year in the United States alone (Nicosia, 2010). These enormous costs, though, do not take into account the devastating effects that the abuse, misuse and overuse of the drug have on modern society. Countless lives have been destroyed as a result of these types of behaviors, and the problem remains severe in many countries around the world including the United States. Indeed, the highly addictive nature of this drug suggests that amphetamine abuse, misuse and overuse will remain a problem unless and until its availability can be curtailed, and given the ongoing demand for it, this eventuality appears remote.