Science Headlines - Amphetamines

An information service for media in New Zealand

20 February 2007

As ‘P’arrests clog up the Auckland courts, and ecstasy tablets are found to also contain methamphetamine, New Zealand scientists comment on the amphetamine drug scene.

(Amphetamines include methamphetamine (the highly addictive ‘P’), amphetamine sulphate (‘speed’), and MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.)

1. Dr Keith Bedford, Forensic Programme Manager at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited (ESR)

"We’ve seen no evidence that suggests methamphetamine or "P" use in New Zealand has peaked. Methamphetamine sample submissions to ESR by law enforcement agencies increased in each year of 2003/4, 2004/5, 2005/6, and for each of the quarters from October 2005 to September 2006. Methamphetamine has the largest number of samples submitted for analysis of any non-cannabis drug category.

“The number of "P lab" scenes our chemists attend may have plateau-ed but there are indications of greater quantities of methamphetamine being imported."

2. Dr Trecia Wouldes, a developmental psychologist at The University of Auckland

“Starting in 2001 we noticed that there was a substantial increase in the number of pregnant methamphetamine users being referred to the alcohol drug and pregnancy team at National Women’s Hospital. Now we’re part of a longitudinal study looking at the children born to these mothers, with a control group matched for socio-economic status. There are four other sites in the United States – some of their children are approaching five years of age. We began recruiting participants at the Auckland site in early 2006 and we’re just starting our 12-month old follow up.

“Early results from this research have shown that infants exposed to methamphetamine are more likely to weigh less and are 4.5 times more likely to be born small for gestational age. In addition, methamphetamine exposure was associated with lower arousal and increased stress of the central nervous system.

“In the U.S. during the 1980s and early 1990s there were initial public fears that children with prenatal exposure to crack/cocaine would have serious congenital defects, mental retardation or psychological damage. Although research has shown a range of adverse developmental effects from prenatal crack/cocaine exposure, the excessive claims of severe mental retardation have not been substantiated by the research. Hopefully there will not be a ”rush to judgement” about methamphetamine exposed infants as this can prevent women from accessing antenatal care and their children from getting the appropriate care and treatment.”

3. Dr Bronwyn Kivell, a neurobiologist at Victoria University of Wellington

“Ecstasy is an amphetamine derivative which acts through the central nervous system to alter brain function. Although the short term effects of ecstasy use are well documented very little is known about the long term effects of its use.

“Ecstasy, unlike methamphetamine, does not result in the death of brain cells. Alternatively, it causes long term changes in the serotonin system which is important in controlling mood and depression. It is unknown if these changes are reversible.

“Amphetamines activate the natural reward pathway in the brain. After long term use however, decreased neurotransmitter levels in this natural reward pathway result in depression and mood disorders. One of the major factors predisposing drug abusers to relapse after a period of abstinence is depression, this depression is likely due to long term decreases in neurotransmitter levels”.

“Our research focuses on the cellular changes that occur in response to drugs of abuse. By understanding these effects we may in future be able to prevent or reverse the cellular changes resulting from drug abuse.”

Science Headlines is a service managed by the Royal Society of New Zealand and funded by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

ENDS