I find it funny that noone (actually didn't read whole thread) has mentioned the MIND CRUSHING SOUL DESTROYING comedowns that are inherent with speed alone.
I'm in UK and used to take speed alot at one point. Even then I was the only one who would take it as everyone shied away from it due to the aweful comedown (as they presumably had more experience with it than I).
It was new to me at the time, like how rookie drinkers say they don't get hangovers, so didn't realize what they were on about at first but after a few months of use I realized how aweful it was.
That was on putty base which I was told was pretty strong for speed so I DREAD to think how much worse the meth comedown would be.
So I doubt it's that it hasn't come around, speed has always been and always is around at raves etc. but most ppl hate it cos of the aweful comedown. Same how most people complain when there is just a bit of speed in pills as the comedown is just aweful. MDMA comedown is bad too but somewhat manageable (not any more imo but compared to speed for the average raver).
Meth never took off here cos I think although we may be known as the country of excess we just don't want such a nasty 'dirty' drug in general.
That is all speed has been known as in my experience (whatever brand)- a 'dirty drug'.