Amphetamines

Amphetamines (Speed, uppers, sulphate) is a stimulant drug. It typically appears as an off-white powder but can also be found as a gritty, dull white, or brown-colored paste. The substance is often mixed, or "cut," with other substances such as talc and caffeine to increase volume and alter its effects.

How it is used

There is multiple different methods of taking speed including:

  • Crushed and snorted
  • Mixed into a drink
  • Dabbed onto gums
  • Swallowed — wrapped in cigarette paper
  • Made into solution and then smoked via a pipe or injected (extremely dangerous as Speed is usually very impure)

How it feels

Highs

  • Alert and energised
  • Growth in confident
  • More sociable than normal

Lows

  • Agitation
  • Aggressive
  • Anxious

Physical symptoms

  • Increased heartbeat
  • Jaw pain, muscle clenching and teeth grinding
  • Sweaty and dehydrated
  • Visual hallucinations and delusions

Risks and the law

Risks

  • Amphetamines put a significant stress on your heart and can lead to extremely high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure and attacks and death
  • Affects immune system so more frequent illness and potential to get extremely unwell from more simple viruses and infections
  • Affects sleep and can cause insomnia with long term issue
  • Can cause acute or chronic liver and kidney problems due to those being the organs which break it down and excrete it
  • Due to impurity, injecting it is extremely risky and a much higher chance of cause local infections, ulcers or even gangrene and necrosis (when the skin and parts of body get severely infected and die)
  • Risk of blood-borne viruses like hepatitis and HIV from needle sharing
  • Significant mental health issues including anxiety, depression, acute psychosis

The law

  • Class B drug
  • Possession can lead to 5 years in prison and/or unlimited fine
  • Intent to supply can lead to 14 years in prison and/or unlimited fine