Also known as:
Speed, Sulphate, Sulph, Whizz, Billy, Pink Champagne, Dexedrine, Dexies, Methamphetamine, Ice

 

Appearance
Usually sold in small rectangular paper wraps, street amphetamine is a white, off white or yellow powder, Dexedrine tablets are small and white or yellow.

Methamphetamine comes in the form of crystals, usually white or clear. Occasionally one might come across 'base', which is a purer form of amphetamine and looks like a grey putty.

 

Legal status
Class B unless prepared for injection - [class A].

 

Cost
Varies between £8 and £12 a gram.

 

Quality
Street speed is of very poor quality (between five and ten per cent purity). Base is much more potent and can be up to 90 per cent pure.

 

Methods of use
Amphetamine is usually snorted, but it can be swallowed, dabbed on to the gums or injected. Methamphetamine is usually smoked. Base may be dissolved in cold water and injected.

 

Effects
Amphetamines are stimulants and increase heart rate and blood pressure. Effects usually come on within 15 minutes and much quicker if the user is injecting. The user experiences increased alertness and becomes talkative, apparently more confident and has increased energy levels.

They reduce the desire to eat and sleep and one of the effects can be a tightness in the jaw which causes some users to grind their teeth and chew constantly. Over-use can lead to increased susceptibility to paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks and irritability.

The effects of a single dose can last for between three and four hours and may leave the user feeling tired. It may take a couple of days to feel normal again.

 

Health implications
Amphetamines only help the body to access energy reserves and do not obviate the need for sleep. Hence the come down can be a bad experience with the user prone to achiness, hunger, depression and loss of self esteem.

The best option for recuperation is sleeping and eating. Overuse will also cause weight loss.

Depending on the method of use, amphetamines can cause nasal lining to erode, gums to recede or stomach irritation. Injection carries all the usual risks associated with intravenous drug use.

There is a particular risk of death from coronary problems with those already suffering from a heart condition.

Amphetamines can dull sexual sensitivity and increase aggression. Psychologically, regular and frequent use can induce a state known as Amphetamine Psychosis, which is typified by an intense paranoia. This usually abates once amphetamine use has been discontinued for some time.

They are not physically addictive but there have been many proven cases of pronounced psychological dependency, especially among injectors.