From what I know about meth the recovery percentage is about the same as heroin, if not less. I think we will probably never completely eliminate demand, nor reduce use significantly from the current measures.
From my recollection, the effects and potential recovery depended greatly on purity. Also, introduction and recurrent use were dependent greatly on purity. This was mimicked in the amount of use versus purity measures for that year. I really wish I could find that graph. I'll have to ask my professor to see if she has it.
The thing that makes meth so attractive to some people is that it is cheaper and lasts much longer than cocaine. Much of the current increase in meth usage is people switching over from cocaine. At any rate, I do not think we should be relying on decreasing the demand so much as enacting policy that is more precisely focused on addressing the people who are the problem and not making the rest of us have to jump through all these hoops waiting for them all to stop using of their own accord.
Crack cocaine or cocaine? These tended to be used along social guide lines with cocaine being a middle to upper class drug and crack being a lower class drug, in general. Anyways...
The problem is how? The current model is all about supply-side. And you've only got two choices when it comes to the matter. (I'll also mention the Balloon model of drug use, as you "squeeze on one end the other inflates.") So if you go after the dealers you're going to affect the average citizen in some way. Because data is required to identify those who may be engaged in the production and distribution. The easiest and most obvious way is to gather information on who is buying the raw material.
Or, you can institute social programs like detox, rehab, counter-active drugs, etc. But these also have a negative connotation with the general public. As it is seen as protecting the user. Just ask anyone about the multitude of European drug rehab programs. Those do tend to work and do help society in the long run but it's contrary to our culture in America.
If we muck with the supply in such a manner, we will also be increasing the price for the legal medication. Why should the price of decongestants go up, simply because of the use of the chemical in illegal manufacture?
Not necessarily. If we track their buyers we can attempt to isolate the larger producers who have set up business fronts in order to produce large amounts meth. These distributors also have a great impact on the distribution and sale of meth and produce underground trafficking of the drug, like cocaine and marijuana. It sheds light and takes advantage of a system already in place.
Agreed. What method do you propose of decreasing sale, production, or distribution of meth?
