Amphetamine was first synthesised in 1887 in Germany. Methamphetamine - also known by the street names meth, ice, crank or speed - was synthesised from ephedrine in 1893 in Japan. Initially difficult to make, the process was eventually streamlined in 1919 by using red phosphorus and iodine to reduce the ephedrine into a crystallised form - crystal meth. 

During World War II, both amphetamine and methamphetamine were distributed extensively to soldiers to help depression and for keeping troops awake for combat. Methamphetamine and amphetamine continued to be commonly prescribed up until the 1950s and 1960s for a range of medical conditions, including depression and obesity.

The following poster is an example of an advertisement in the 1940's promoting amphetamine among housewives. The ad states the user will ‘stay fit and slim’ while doing the housework by taking a couple of grams of amphetamine on a daily basis. This 'magic powder’ is also claimed to purify and enrich the blood, so that the user feels better in health and has the ‘energy to carry on working throughout the night.’

Envirolab Services is a NATA Accredited laboratory offering professional testing services for methamphetamine, amphetamine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, MDA and MDMA. Sample testing services of other illicit drugs are also available on request. We can provide easy-to-use swab kits for sampling surfaces, which include the precursors in each test. 

Contact us today to discuss your sample testing requirements.