Crystal Meth in Chicago – A Closer Look
2SC Staff
As a Chicago therapist working with Crystal Meth addictions, I have known that Chicago has long battled some serious drug epidemics over the years. This is especially so in recent history with the opioid epidemic taking the stage front and center. However, methamphetamine has taken its toll behind the scenes of the opioid epidemic in the Chicagoland area.
On the street, crystal is known as “Tina“. This nickname is particularly true among gay men and in the wider LGBTQ community.
Per the University of Maryland: a “2017 survey of U.S. household members aged 12 and older estimated that approximately 774,000 (less than1%) people used methamphetamine at least once in the past month.
The number was larger than the estimated number of past month heroin users (494,000) but lower than the estimates for past month use of cocaine (2.2million) and marijuana (26 million).”
What is Methamphetamine?
The University of Maryland defined Methamphetamine “as a Schedule II stimulant that has a high potential for abuse and is available only by a nonrefillable prescription.
It can be prescribed to treat disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and prescribed doses are generally far lower than those typically abused. Methamphetamine is usually sold illicitly as a white, bitter-tasting powder or a pill or as crystal meth, which looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. Methamphetamine can be smoked, swallowed, snorted, or injected.”
It has various street names, such as glass and crystal.
History in Chicago
Mexican drug cartels, according to NBC 5 News, have long been fueling a market that has been here for some time. However, it was reported in 2018 that an increase in the amount of the drug being seized by authorities. Nearly quadruple the amount seized from the year prior. This isn’t a recent phenomenon, however.
There has been a history of upticks in meth seizures, such as in 2012 when the Chicago Tribune reported a similar finding, but that uptick was likely due to local labs, as opposed to “super labs” in Mexico. But they stated that super labs were starting to rise, and it seems like that impact is starting to be visible because of the last few years. From 2011-2017, meth-related deaths quadrupled as well across the country. The cartels were trying to establish their market in the early 2010’s.
Concerts are another point of interest in Chicago, because the rave/concert scene is very popular here with the various theaters that artists perform at. With these concerts comes drugs, depending on the concert and venue.
Some venues/events are more popular for using drugs, like EDM shows or Lollapalooza. Ecstasy, or Molly as it is sometimes known, is popular at these shows and amongst teens/young adults according to Footprints to Recovery. They state that Ecstasy can sometimes be meth in disguise, which is why it’s important to not purchase any substances, legal or illegal, from anyone unless you have a prescription from your doctor to go to a pharmacy.
Footprints to Recovery, along with Chicago physician Daniel Berger, MD state that meth usage is high amongst men who have sex with me, and Asian ethnic groups not just in the Chicagoland area, but in many parts of the Western United States. Per Berger:
-A common scenario, says Berger, is seeing patients with “promising, sophisticated occupations and livelihoods” lose their jobs, become burdened with debt, become clinically depressed, lose weight and appear to be undergoing HIV-related wasting or drug-related lipodystrophy. After unsuccessful therapy for wasting, physicians eventually discover that the symptoms are crystal-related.”
So, does Chicago have a crystal meth problem? It definitely seems that way, especially with the statistics showing it is on the rise and that the city is targeted as a market for it.
Chicago seems to have recognized it, because they specifically have Crystal Meth Anonymous meetings available to those affected by the drug.
If you are already struggling with a meth addiction or other substances, remember that it’s never too late to stop and make a change in your life. Be safe out there!
