“The Meth Epidemic” is a documentary film made by Frontline in association with The Oregonian. The purpose of the filmmakers is to inform the Americans about the dangers of methamphetamine abuse and importance of the drug elimination from the streets, since in recent decades meth has spread like an epidemic across the states. The main concern of the documentary is above mentioned methamphetamine, its impact on individuals as well as their families, and the discussion of policies that control (or should control) the key ingredient of meth – ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
The documentary makers claim that meth is the most addictive illegal drug in America that has its “origins” in Oregon. The claim is supported by video records of real arrests, interviews with the police officers as well as the victims of meth abuse, reporter, who investigated the patterns of meth circulation in the States and a professor specializing on methamphetamine. Moreover, dramatic physical changes, which occurred to meth addicts, were shown as a series of photographs “before and after”. The documentary also tries to attract the audience’s attention by the impacts of meth, which is considered to be the cause of 85% of all property crimes in Oregon; moreover, many children are being put into foster care because of addict parents. Thus, methamphetamine affects not only the users, but also destroys their families.
In order to show the tendencies for meth abuse, the charts, maps and statistical data were presented. It was discovered that the purity of the product as well as the abuse of this drug were rising and falling regularly from time to time in all states in a similar manner. The reason for such a tendency appeared to be the availability of the key ingredient in meth’s production – ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Oregon was the first to propose new regulations to control the sales of cold medicines, which contain ephedrine. However, contradicting viewpoint is also presented – pharmaceutical industry was strongly opposed to such laws believing that the reason for drug abuse must be found first, while the ingredient has nothing to do with the epidemic.
Works Cited
The Meth Epidemic. Dir. Tim Mangini. PBS Home Video, 2006 and 2011. Web. 28 June 2015.
