Methamphetamine HCL, a type of amphetamine, is also known as “cocaine of the poor”. Shabu is a street name for methamphetamine, which belongs to the class of drugs known as methamphetamines. Other names are Shabu, Ubas, Siopao, Sha, Ice, and yellow barn.
Introduction to Shabu
Shabu, widely known as crystal meth or methamphetamine, is a highly addictive stimulant that powerfully affects the central nervous system. Methamphetamine was originally synthesized from compounds found in nasal decongestants and was initially used as a nasal decongestant and bronchial inhaler. While methamphetamine is sometimes prescribed in controlled settings to treat conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and, in rare cases, obesity, its use is tightly regulated due to its high potential for abuse and addiction. Methamphetamine use can quickly lead to severe physical and psychological dependence, making it a major public health issue. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that methamphetamine is among the most commonly abused illicit drugs worldwide, with its impact felt across diverse communities. The drug’s ability to produce intense feelings of well-being and energy makes it particularly dangerous, as users may rapidly develop addiction and experience significant health consequences.
Drug Composition
Methamphetamine is a synthetic drug that can appear in several forms, including crystalline powder, tablets, and liquid. The most potent and commonly abused form is methamphetamine hydrochloride, which is often called “ice” or “crystal” because of its clear, glass-like appearance. The composition of methamphetamine varies depending on how it is produced, especially in illegal laboratories known as meth labs. These meth labs typically use precursor chemicals such as pseudoephedrine or phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) to synthesize the drug through complex chemical reactions. The resulting product is highly potent and carries a significant risk of addiction and toxicity, especially when impurities from unregulated production are present.
Production and Distribution
The production and distribution of methamphetamine present major challenges for law enforcement agencies around the world. Meth labs can be found in a variety of settings, from residential homes to remote rural locations and industrial warehouses. These illegal laboratories are often operated by organized crime groups, who manufacture large quantities of methamphetamine for distribution both locally and internationally. According to the United Nations, methamphetamine is one of the most widely trafficked illicit drugs, with authorities reporting significant seizures in many countries each year. The drug is distributed through a range of channels, including online marketplaces, social media, and traditional drug trafficking networks, making it difficult to control its spread.
Health Risks of Drug Use
Methamphetamine use carries serious health risks, both in the short and long term. In the short term, users may experience elevated mood, increased energy, and decreased appetite. Methamphetamine is often smoked, which can lead to respiratory problems and other health risks. However, these effects are often followed by negative symptoms such as anxiety, paranoia, and agitation. Long-term methamphetamine use can lead to chronic health problems, including heart failure, stroke, and respiratory complications. Methamphetamine users are also at increased risk for infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis, especially if the drug is injected. Psychological dependence can develop rapidly, leading to compulsive drug-seeking behavior and a high risk of overdose and death. Combining methamphetamine with depressants such as opioids can increase the risk of overdose and exacerbate negative psychological effects. The World Drug Report highlights that methamphetamine use is associated with a range of severe symptoms, including psychosis, paranoia, and significant physical deterioration.
Social Impact
The social consequences of methamphetamine use are profound, affecting not only individuals but also families and entire communities. Over the past two decades, the social and legal responses to methamphetamine use have evolved significantly, reflecting changes in patterns of use and public health priorities.
Methamphetamine use can lead to social isolation, strained relationships, and financial hardship, as users may prioritize drug use over other responsibilities. The drug’s impact on mental health is significant, with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and psychosis among users. Communities affected by methamphetamine often experience higher rates of crime and violence, as individuals may engage in illegal activities to support their addiction. The United Nations recognizes methamphetamine use as a major public health concern, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies that include prevention, treatment, and law enforcement. Community-based programs, education, and support services are essential in reducing the social harm caused by methamphetamine and helping users recover and reintegrate into society.
Prevention and Treatment
Preventing and treating methamphetamine use, especially in the form of crystal meth or methamphetamine hydrochloride, requires a multi-layered approach that addresses both individual and community needs. Education is a cornerstone of prevention—raising awareness about the severe health risks associated with methamphetamine use, such as heart failure, elevated blood pressure, decreased appetite, and the high potential for addiction, is essential. Targeted prevention programs can also address underlying factors that may contribute to drug use, such as untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or the misuse of stimulants to treat obesity.
When it comes to treatment, methamphetamine addiction is best managed through a combination of behavioral therapies and, in some cases, medications. Evidence-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management have shown promise in helping methamphetamine users break the cycle of addiction, manage cravings, and reduce the risk of relapse. While there are currently no medications specifically approved to treat methamphetamine addiction, some drugs—such as bupropion and naltrexone—are being studied for their potential to ease withdrawal symptoms and support recovery.
Addressing the physical and psychological symptoms of methamphetamine use is crucial. Users may experience a range of severe symptoms, from elevated mood and increased energy to paranoia, psychosis, and even heart attack or stroke with long-term methamphetamine use. Chronic use can also lead to significant weight loss, dental problems, and increased vulnerability to infectious diseases, especially when meth is injected or combined with other substances like heroin or cocaine.
Meth labs, or illegal laboratories where methamphetamine is produced, pose additional risks to both users and the wider community. These labs often use toxic chemicals and can contaminate the final product with dangerous impurities, increasing the risk of overdose and other health complications. Disrupting the supply chain of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs is a critical part of prevention, requiring coordinated efforts from law enforcement, public health agencies, and community organizations.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Drug Report have both highlighted the growing global challenge posed by methamphetamine use. The rise in methamphetamine use, particularly among young people, underscores the urgent need for effective prevention and treatment strategies. By combining education, evidence-based treatment, and robust efforts to dismantle meth labs and disrupt drug trafficking networks, communities can reduce the risks associated with methamphetamine and promote better public health outcomes.
Ultimately, tackling the problem of methamphetamine use demands a comprehensive approach—one that addresses the root causes of drug use, provides accessible treatment and support services, and works to prevent the spread of this highly addictive and dangerous substance. Through collaboration and sustained effort, it is possible to reduce the harm caused by methamphetamine and protect the health and well-being of individuals and communities alike.
Shabu (crystal methamphetamine)
is a white, odourless crystalline crystal or powder with a bitter, numbing taste. Shabu is another stimulant name for methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as crystalline methamphetamine.
The use of shabu continues to increase and methamphetamine addiction remains the most important drug problem in the Philippines. Medications are generally used to create a sense of delight, increase wakefulness and physical activity. Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Crystalline methamphetamine is a form of the drug that looks like glass shards or shiny bluish-white rocks.
The short term effects of methamphetamine use include euphoria, increased energy, and decreased appetite. For example, users may experience rapid heart rate, agitation, and insomnia shortly after taking the drug. It is chemically similar to amphetamine, a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. Normally seen as a white powder, it acts as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. First manufactured in Japan in 1919, methamphetamine has limited therapeutic use, but most are manufactured in clandestine laboratories, particularly in the United States and the Far East. It is under international control and is closely related to amphetamine.
Methamphetamine use can cause increased body temperature and elevated blood pressure, both of which are indicators of toxicity or overdose. These physiological changes can increase the risk of serious health issues, such as stroke and heart failure. There is also a heightened risk of heart attack due to the drug's impact on the cardiovascular system.
Studies show that HIV causes more damage to nerve cells and more cognitive problems in people who use methamphetamine than in people who have HIV and don’t use the drug. Methamphetamine also has significant effects on the brain, causing damage to neural structures and altering brain function, which can lead to long-term neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. A drug known as “shabu”, which is actually nothing more than methamphetamine with a new slang name, is increasingly being trafficked through Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. This information became available after local Vietnam police seized approximately 300 kilos of shabu in Ho Chi Minh City, which used containers similar to those in drug containers recovered in Manila. In some cases, people take methamphetamine in a form of binge eating known as running, that is, stopping eating and sleeping while continuing to take the medication every few hours for several days.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is working hard to stop the flow of shabu, but it’s difficult. These views are based on the perception that shabu is especially dangerous, unlike other drugs, and therefore represents an exceptional threat to the political body. United Nations (200), Recommended methods for the identification and analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine and their ring-substituted analogs in seized materials (revised and updated), Manual for use by national drug testing laboratories, United Nations, New York. However, the Philippine drug war’s approach to shabu is not only about epidemiology, but also about the ways in which drugs have been constructed and taxonomized in political and popular discourse.
The person craves the drug Shabu, and their mental dependence makes them feel uneasy if they are denied access, even temporarily. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines methamphetamine, also known as methamphetamine, blue, ice and crystal, among many other terms, as a powerful and highly addictive stimulant affecting the central nervous system. You are likely to develop increased tolerance to shabu medications, which means that the person using them must take higher doses to achieve a similar impact, creating a risk of methamphetamine overdose. High doses and higher doses of methamphetamine can lead to dangerous health outcomes, including psychosis, seizures, and even death. Combining methamphetamine with alcohol can further increase toxicity, exacerbate adverse outcomes, and complicate the diagnosis and treatment of overdose cases.
Long-term use of methamphetamine can result in severe physical deterioration; for example, chronic users often experience significant weight loss due to appetite suppression and malnutrition. Therefore, political and communication interventions must specifically address the ways in which the shabu has been framed to justify not only Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, but also other similar wars across the region.
The good news is that methamphetamine misuse can be prevented and drug addiction can be treated with behavioral therapy. The pleasurable effects of Shabu disappear even before the duration of the drug in the blood decreases significantly. .
