Throughout history, humans have experimented with substances either to discover new knowledge or to improve their state of being. It often started with a small, distinct portion of the population and then became widely available to the rest of society. The history of the drug methamphetamine has been no different as, since its synthesis, an increasing number of people have sought its properties. The status in which methamphetamine currently finds itself is that of a source of social ills. This cannot be denied but, like other drugs, it had its time as an accepted medicine before becoming widely abused. Methamphetamine, despite being considered a growing social epidemic, has its benefits under controlled medical application, so the focus in addressing its problems must be placed on its users and not the drug itself. The social menace known as methamphetamine or meth began its life in 1919. inside a Japanese laboratory. It was initially created from the pre-existing drug, amphetamine, a nervous system stimulant, with greater qualities than its predecessor as it was more potent, soluble for intravenous injection and easier to synthesize. Initially the drug saw little or no use, but during World War II it achieved widespread use in Hitler's Germany. “Nazi leaders distributed millions of doses of methamphetamine tablets called Pervitin to their troops, but starting in 1938 they were sold to the German public, so use suffered” (Discovery Health, 3). Other countries have followed suit with their own military releases of methamphetamine and other amphetamine derivatives. By the end of the war, the desire for drugs was so deep-rooted that it was inevitable that its use would spread to the civilian population. Surplus in IV for...... half of paper ......s methamphetamine, the status and activities of its dependents must be considered and monitored so that the cycle of abuse can end. Discovering “How Methamphetamine Works” Health“History of Methamphetamine” Narconon OrganizationTenaglia-Webster, Maria. Drugs. Farmington Hills: Greenhaven Press, 2009.“Meth Addiction” Friends of Narconon“What is Ice?” Friends of Narconon“What is methamphetamine?” Friends of Narconon