Informative Speech
Topic: To discuss the history of and difference between amphetamines and methamphetamines.
Attention getting device:
Credibility Statement:
Audience relevancy statement: I will explain the history of amphetamines and methamphetamines and give some background on each.
Thesis: Amphetamines created before world war II, not known it was going to grow to be the largest misused drug in the world today.
Transition: Now to learn when and why it was first created.
Main point 1: History of amphetamines and methamphetamines.
1887 amphetamines first synthesized
1919 methamphetamine, a stimulant, is developed by a pharmacologist in Japan. The drug was then used to alleviate fatigue and produce feelings of alertness and well being.
1930’s Doctors begin using amphetamines in the United states to treat asthma and narcolepsy. And the amphetamine Benzedrine introduced as an OTC bronchial dilator for the treatment of nasal and bronchial congestion and colds.
World War II: Methamphetamines and amphetamines are given to allied bomber pilots to sustain them on long flights. The experiment failed because soldiers became irritable and couldn’t channel their aggression.
1950s Still marketed to treat obesity, narcolepsy and sinus inflammation. But now the street form named “pep pills” or “Bennies” are sold for non medical purposes. Some truckers, homemakers, college students and athletes popped pills to stay awake and keep active.
1960s Doctors in San Francisco prescribe injections of methamphetamine to treat heroin addiction.
1970-1980s Methamphetamine is regulated in the controlled substances act and a public education campaign is started.
2000 methamphetamine is the favored hard drug of choice, surpassing crack, cocaine and heroin. Amphetamines are still prescribed today for narcolepsy and ADHD.
Sited from Vermont department of health (2014)
The United States is experiencing an outbreak of amphetamine abuse. The latest national surveys show that about 3 million Americans used amphetamine-type stimulants non-medically in the past year, 600,000 in the past week, and that 250,000 – 350,000 are addicted.
Sited from American Public Health Association (2004)
Transition: It is not uncommon for people to mix up amphetamines with methamphetamines. This is understandable since both are similar in many ways, but they are not the same drug, each acts differently on the body and mind. So lets look at them separately.
Main point 2: Amphetamines; some legally prescribed names are: Adderall, Ritalin, Strattera, Dexedrine
Amphetamines are a class of drugs that stimulate the central nervous system producing an increase in alertness, wakefulness and awareness. They are sometimes used in the treatment of ADD and ADHD, obesity and narcolepsy but not widely accepted due to the fact that they are highly addictive.
Since amphetamines are a stimulant the reaction of increased energy and alertness make most people initially feel a sense of great power, increased confidence.
Long term use leads to tolerance and increased physical dependence of the drug. An increase in the diagnosis of ADD in children has caused an increase in the number of amphetamine prescriptions being administered leading to increase in number of amphetamine addiction seen around the world.
One reason of addiction is the physical symptoms of withdrawal. When one tries to stop taking a prescribed medication the withdrawal symptoms are unbearable and cause them to keep taking the medication.
Some of the withdrawal symptoms are: oversleeping, excessive hunger that don’t go away, lack of coordination, dehydration, tachycardia, arrhythmia. Irritability, short-temper, drug cravings, extreme mood swings, anxiety or depression, suicidal thoughts, realistic nightmares, and psychosis.
Amphetamines also cause increased