Late 1800s |
- Amphetamine and Methamphetamine first created in Germany, originally with no medicinal purpose
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1930s |
- Amphetamine used as over-the-counter bronchodilator in US and Australia for coughs and colds
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1937 |
- Tablet amphetamine developed to treat obesity, narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD and fatigue
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1940s |
- Amphetamine taken by German, Japanese and American soldiers for energy, to stay awake and aggressive. Adolf Hitler received injections daily.
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1950 |
- Japanese workforce uses amphetamine to rebuild country’s economy.
- Amphetamine used widely by housewives, athletes and students in North America.
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Late 1950s |
- Methamphetamine psychosis identified as a problem affecting Japanese workforce
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1950s – 1960s |
- Amphetamine used to treat obesity, depression, narcolepsy, fatigue, ADD/ADHD
- Methamphetamine becomes more popularly used by late 1950s.
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1959 |
- Amphetamine no longer over-the-counter in US, prescription only
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1960s |
- Methamphetamine reduced in production and use due to adverse health effects
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1955-1975 |
- Vietnam War soldiers use Amphetamine on a larger scale than in WWII
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1970s |
- Amphetamine and Methamphetamine regulated in Australia
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Late 1970s |
- Global market of illicit methamphetamine use increases, as Vietnam vets return from war.
- Amphetamines and Methamphetamines used among biker gangs.
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Late 1980s |
- Crystal Methamphetamine, a more potent form of Methamphetamine appears
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1991 |
- Crystal Meth identified as potential health problem in Australia
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1990s |
- Internet facilitates dissemination of various recipes for making meth using household and store bought ingredients. Meth is made domestically in North America.
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Late 1990s |
- Crystal Meth made more widely available in world markets, due to a world “heroin drought.” Crystal floods Australian drug scene.
- Crystal enters North American gay scene, as a useful dance drug, for weekend-long circuit parties: centerpoints of community and connection among gay men
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Early 2000s |
- Crystal Meth reported as popularly used for sex among gay men in North America
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Mid-Late 2000s |
- Crystal Meth seems to temporarily decrease in popularity among gay men’s party scenes in North America. Meth identified as coming in waves, with ebbs and flows.
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2013 |
- Australian Crime Commission reports that Crystal Meth is a large-scale health problem for law enforcement and health care services
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2015 |
- Ontario Drug Treatment programs report increases in Methamphetamine use. Crystal Meth widely available through social media and sexual networking apps for gay men
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Today |
- Amphetamine a last resort treatment for ADHD if other stimulants, e.g. Ritalin, Adderall etc., do not work
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