A drug with immense abuse potential, methamphetamine (known on the street as "speed," "meth," "crank," "crystal-meth," and "glass") is a central nervous system stimulant of the amphetamine family. Like cocaine, it is a powerful "upper" that produces alertness and elation, along with a variety of adverse reactions. The effects of methamphetamine, however, are much longer lasting than the effects of cocaine, yet the cost is much the same. For that reason, methamphetamine is sometimes called the "poor man's cocaine." Meth addiction is a problem that has spread to all areas of the United States. In the past years 4.3% (9.4 million people) of the U.S. population reported trying meth at least once in their lifetime. The highest rate of meth use was among adults ages 18-25. Meth use is an epidemic across the United States, nowhere is it a bigger problem that in the Midwest, however the problem is quickly moving to the Northeast. Meth is quickly surpassing cocaine as the drug of choice in many areas.