Amphetamines/ Speed

‘Speed' is the street name for a range of amphetamines such as amphetamine sulphate, dexedrine and dexamphetamine. Like cocaine, amphetamines are stimulants that people take to keep them awake and alert.

The effects

• Speed makes people feel wide awake, excited and chatty.
• Clubbers take it because it gives them the energy to dance for hours without getting tired.
• Amphetamines was once the main ingredient in diet pills because it stops people feeling hungry.

Chances of getting hooked

You can get strongly addicted to amphetamines. The more times you take it, the more you'll need to get the same buzz.

The law

Speed is a Class B drug. It's illegal to have, give away or sell. Prepared-for-injection Speed becomes a Class A and can get you tougher sentencing if you're caught with it or selling it.  Possession can get you up to five years in jail and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.

Appearance and use

Speed is usually sold in wraps. The powder is off-white or pinkish and can sometimes look like small crystals. The ‘base' form of speed is purer and is a pinkish-grey colour and feels like putty.

‘Crystal meth' (methylamphetamine or methamphetamine) is a particularly powerful, addictive and dangerous form of speed that comes in a crystalline form.

Prescription amphetamines like dexamphetamine are usually small white pills. They are used to treat conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Speed is either dabbed onto the gums or is snorted in lines like cocaine using a rolled up bank note. Sometimes it's rolled up in cigarette paper and swallowed, called a speedbomb. It can also be mixed in drinks.

To obtain rapid high blood levels in heavy users it can also be injected or in the case of ‘crystal meth' smoked in its 'Ice' form.

Purity

Speed typically is not a pure drug - most of the powder only contains 5-15% amphetamine. Base speed is usually substantially purer.

The risks

• Depending on how much has actually been used, it can be difficult to relax or sleep after taking speed .
• The come down can make users feel irritable and depressed and can last for one or two days.
• Speed users have died from overdoses.
• Speed puts a strain on your heart. It's not advisable for people with high blood pressure or a heart condition.
• Avoid taking speed with anti-depressants or alcohol. This combination has been known to be fatal.
• Taking a lot of speed can give your immune system a battering. You could get more colds, flu and sore throats if you use it a lot.
• Speed can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability and aggression as well as mental illness such as psychosis and paranoid feelings.
• Prepared-for-injection speed may can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene (deadening or decaying of body tissue especially the digits and limbs) and especially with dirty needles.
• Shared needles and injecting works can help the spread of viral hepatitis and HIV infections. Injecting ‘speed' may be particularly dangerous because it's so impure. It's also easier to overdose when injecting.