Social Problems

Epidemic in the Heartland:

The Existence of Meth in Missouri

According to the U.S Department of Justice, Methamphetamine, or “meth,” is a lethal and unpredictable drug. Like cocaine, it is a stimulant for the central nervous system. Meth goes by many different street names, such as speed, ice, crystal, and crank. “Meth represents the fastest growing drug threat in America today” (usdoj.gov).

“Meth can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally, and its appearance varies depending on how it is used. Meth is usually a white, odorless, bitter-tasting powder” (usdoj.gov). According to the Dept. of Justice report, methamphetamine use increases the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and rate of breathing, and it frequently results in violent behavior in users. “Users take meth for its temporary production of hyperactivity, euphoria, and sense of increased energy” (usdoj.gov).

“Historically . . . the majority of meth (was) made and distributed by Mexican-based operations out of the United Sates, particularly in California. Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of meth labs operating in such states as, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas” (usdoj.gov). As reported in an ENN Emergency Services Report, meth has long been associated with the West Coast of the United States, though it has now invaded Middle America. “In 1999 there were 438 laboratory seizures in Missouri alone” (usdoj.gov).

Methamphetamine use has become not only a social problem; it has become a growing epidemic, a crisis in the heartland. According to J. John Paleen in his book, Social Problems for the Twenty First Century, a social problem is an issue that a substantial number of society views as a violation of that society’s social norms, and which is believed something can be done. But can something be done? To solve a problem you must better understand that problem. To better understand methamphetamine use in Missouri, we must approach it from three sociological perspectives. These are the Functionalist approach, the Conflict, and Interactionist approach.

Functionalist Approach

“A Functionalist doesn’t attempt to explain individual drug use. Rather, they look at how macro-level changes in society might affect drug use” (Paleen 366). Though functionalists typically look towards the poor and minorities for drug use, meth is more a drug of the suburbs. “The meth trade is probably different from any other drug trade. Instead of going to some dark corner of the city, you might be able to get some from your co-worker or the person next door in the suburbs,” according to Des Moines, Iowa, Police Sergeant Russ Underwood (qtd. in “ENN”). “Functionalist see the sale of illegal drugs as a means for those economically excluded to achieve the American cultural value of quick economic success” (Paleen 366). To many, meth is the easiest way to accomplish that American dream of getting rich, “to the maker and seller a $1,000 investment can easily turn a $20,000 profit” (“ENN”). This “get rich quick” routine is an inviting draw to those who are only scraping to get by. In a society where the values are of monetary gain and getting as much done as possible, meth is the ideal chose for people that want to achieve it anyway possible.

Conflict Approach

“Similarly to functionalist, conflict theory advocates focus on drug usage as a consequence of other social problems, such as unemployment and racism” (Paleen 366). Though it is reported that drug use is typically a result of unemployment, meth is not your typical drug and is seen more as problem of being employed. According to a Court TV special, The Dangerous High – The Meth Explosion, “many residence(s) of Newton, Iowa (a town not unlike Sedalia) blame the meth use on the grind of local factory work. Where workers are caught in 12 hour work days.” In many states meth is imported, “since June of 1995, a federal task force has seized 60 pounds of the drug and has arrested 45 illegal immigrants.” According to Jerry Heinauer, Omaha director of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, “Illegals are coming up and selling this stuff, melting within the community where there are meatpacking plants” (“ENN”).

“Conflict advocates suggest that the existing power structure determines which drugs are legal and which are not” (Paleen 366). Meth is not only a favorite among users, but it is a favorite among politicians as well. Not so much as partakers of the drug, politicians see it as political clout, a means to spending taxpayer money. In a1998 article, Stolen fertilizer helping cultivate Missouri meth crop, from the Hannibal Courier-Post, “(then) Gov. Mel Carnahan labeled meth an ‘epidemic of evil.’ He asked lawmakers for $3.4 million to help state agencies and law enforcement battle meth. Carnahan also wanted stiffer penalties against meth traffickers and manufacturers. Those penalties would be more in line with penalties for other addictive drugs.” According to a 2001 article in the Jefferson City News Tribune Online Edition, Spending bills contain millions for MO meth fighting, “Missouri law enforcement would get a $1 million boost in fighting methamphetamine, under legislation headed to the (U.S.) Senate floor.” According to the Court TV special, The Dangerous High – The Meth Explosion, “the range to clean up a meth site is $2000 to $250,000 dollars.” It should be noted then, “Missouri meth-fighters would get another $2 million under a separate spending bill, one covering the departments of commerce, justice and state. Various law enforcement agencies would share the Midwest Methamphetamine Initiative funds. These funds would help take down meth labs and clean up sites” (“Spending”). Meth it seems, is another problem that we are willing to throw many at in hopes that it will suddenly go away. And plenty of money is being spent, “Missouri’s total is at least $4.1 million for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1” (“Spending”).

Interactionist Approach

“Social Interactionist advocates note that much drug usage is a learned behavior. Drug use occurs as part of the socialization process” (Paleen 367). In the case of meth use, socialization is happening at home more then it is with peers. “Kids are using, parents are using, and both kids and parents are supplying each other” (The Dangerous High). Ken Carter, director of the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, as quoted in the 1997 ENN report said, “This state (MO) has a tremendous appetite for that stuff ... It’s from high school all the way up to the age people should know better.”

Meth has not only affected our family life, it is also blamed for the increase of crime. Though crime is most likely associated with a conflict approach, it is as much an interaction with one another then anything. “Some communities in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota have noticed a surge in crime. They are also encountering individuals with inexplicable behavior. Many times, and out of nowhere, a flash fire erupts and an explosion destroys a mobile home trailer. There’s more ... in a single night, a desperate young thief steals a car, a pickup truck and a motorcycle” (“ENN”). According to the 1998 article in the Hannibal Courier-Post, “Police say someone began tapping a supply of anhydrous ammonia, a fertilizer that is a key in meth production.” Meth use is also the key to the “rise in spousal abuse and child endangerment” (The Dangerous High). Children must live amongst parents producing crank. Mothers and Fathers are being sent to prison, for its use and distribution. Our interaction with meth is not only hurting ourselves but we are hurting each other as well.

According to Government figures about 10 million American have tried meth. One half of all regular users are under the age of twenty-three (The Dangerous High). Meth is a disturbing epidemic. Is there a solution? Possibly. As witnessed in the Court TV report, The Dangerous High – the Meth Explosion, those that went on a twelve-step program were staying clean for years. This can’t and should not be the only solution, though. “In 1996, the DEA seized 303 meth labs in the Midwest, almost one per day, compared to just six seizures in 1992. Of those 303 seizures, the vast majorities -- 250 -- were made in the state of Missouri” (“ENN”). Many more takedowns, like this occur almost continually. And as one lab is dismantled another pops up. If we have learned anything from the pass war on drugs, it is that not a single solution will be our complete cure for such an epidemic. Counseling, interaction, prevention, government financing, and imprisonment, all have to be combined; and then we can only hope to make a dent in this large problem of meth use.

Work Cited

“The Dangerous High – The Meth Explosion.” The System. Court TV. L.A.

07 March 2002.

Macko, Steven, ENN editor. METHAMPHETAMINE INVADES

MIDDLE AMERICA. ENN Emergency Services Report. 13 April 1997. 12 March 2002 http://www.emergency.com/methinvd.html.

“Methamphetamine.” U.S. Department of Justice. Drug Enforcement Agency.

11 March 2002. 12 March 2002 http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/meth.html.

Paleen, J. John. Social Problems for the Twenty-First Century. 366-7. New York.

McGraw-Hill 2001.

“Spending Bills Contain Millions for Missouri Meth-Fighting.” Jefferson City News

Tribune Online Edition. 28 July 2001. 12 March 2002 http://www.newstribune.com/stories/072801/sta_0728010034.asp.

“Stolen Fertilizer Helping Cultivate Missouri Meth Crop.” Hannibal Courier-Post.

13 January 1998. 12 March 2002 http://www.Hannibal.net/stories/01198/meth.html.

BACK