Prenatal Drug Exposure and Drug-Abusing Environments

Research Findings from February, 2001 Director's Report

This section lists selected summaries from NIDA funded research projects that investigate the consequences of prenatal drug exposure. The summaries provided were selected from recent issues of the Director's Report to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse. For a more comprehensive listing of NIDA funded projects see the Director's Report.

History of the Methamphetamine Problem

Methamphetamine (MA), called meth, crystal, or speed, is a central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, smoked, snorted, or ingested orally. Until the late 1980s, illicit use and manufacture of MA was endemic to California, but the MA user population has recently broadened in nature and in regional distribution, with increased use occurring in Midwestern states. An estimated 4.7 million Americans (2.1% of the U.S. population) have tried MA at some time in their lives. Short-and long-term health effects of MA use include stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, stomach cramps, shaking, anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, and structural changes to the brain. Prolonged use at high levels results in dependence. Children of MA abusers are at risk of neglect and abuse, and the use of MA by pregnant women can cause growth retardation, premature birth, and developmental disorders in neonates and enduring cognitive deficits in children. MA-related deaths and admissions to hospital emergency rooms are increasing. Although inpatient hospitalization may be indicated to treat severe cases of long-term MA dependence, optimum treatment for MA abusers appears to be an intensive outpatient setting with three to five visits per week of comprehensive counseling for at least the first three months. Anglin, M.D., Burke, C., Perrochet, B., Stamper, E., Dawud-Noursi, S. J Psychoactive Drugs, 32(2), pp. 137-141, 2000.