NCJ Number
19363
Journal
DRUG ENFORCEMENT Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1975) Pages: 26-29
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
BRIEF HISTORY OF AMPHETAMINE, ITS CURRENT MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL USES, THE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME AND THE DRUG'S CURRENT LEGAL STATUS.
Abstract
AMPHETAMINE IS PART OF A CHEMICAL 'FAMILY' WHICH INCLUDES METHAMPHETAMINE, DEXTROAMPHETAMINE, AND OTHER DRUGS. ITS BEST KNOWN MAJOR EFFECTS INCLUDE THE DILATION OF THE BRONCHIAL PASSAGES, APPETITE DEPRESSION, THE RELIEF OF FATIGUE, AND THE STIMULATION OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. SOME OF THE UNDESIRABLE SIDE EFFECTS AT HIGH DOSE LEVELS INCLUDE INSOMNIA, STOMACH DISORDERS, CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA, AND, MORE RARELY, PARANOID PSYCHOSIS. AT PRESENT, AMPHETAMINE IS PLACED UNDER SCHEDULE II OF THE COMPREHENSIVE DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL ACT OF 1970. ACCORDING TO THE ACT, THIS SCHEDULE IS DESIGNED FOR DRUGS WHICH HAVE A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE; WHICH HAVE A CURRENTLY ACCEPTED MEDICAL USE IN TREATMENT IN THE UNITED STATES OR A CURRENTLY ACCEPTED MEDICAL USE WITH SEVERE RESTRICTIONS; OR WHICH MAY LEAD TO SEVERE PSYCHOLOGICAL OR PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE. OTHER DRUGS IN SCHEDULE II INCLUDE CERTAIN OPIATES, METHADONE, METHAMPHETAMINE, AND COCAINE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)