The Devil’s Drug: The Global Emergence of Crystal Meth

Crystal meth has become known as one of the world’s most dangerous drugs, not only for its addictive power and physical impact on the body but also the effect it’s having on societies worldwide. For this work, war photographer and anthropologist Voeten (Mexican Drug Violence: Hybrid Warfare, Predatory Capitalism and the Logic of Cruelty) sought information from the many people who buy, sell, distribute, or fight against meth, including Mexican cartels, numerous people who have substance-use disorders, and law enforcement officers who are dealing with the crime associated with its distribution in their communities. An intriguing historical overview of meth use is given at the beginning of the book; for example, one of meth’s first recorded uses was in World War II, when the Nazis provided it to their soldiers to help increase their work production. The book also shows that they gave meth to their own people to help them deal with the war’s horrific aftermath.