Amphetamines are a group of drugs commonly known as "speed". Amphetamines bought on the street are usually in the form of a white or yellow powder, manufactured illegally. They can also be sold as tablets or as a liquid in capsules. Amphetamines can be swallowed or inhaled through the nose ("snorted") or injected.
People who buy amphetamines illegally are often buying the drugs mixed with other substances. These substances can have an unpleasant or harmful effects.
Amphetamines were developed in the 1920s in the US. By the 1960s amphetamines were used by doctors in Australia to treat depression, obesity and a range of other conditions. Today amphetamines are only prescribed for a small number of uncommon medical problems. These include uncontrollable sleeping fits, (narcolepsy) and some types of hyperactivity in children.
The powder form is commonly taken orally, by dissolving in a drink, licking off a finger (this is very bad for your teeth), or, more rarely, by rubbing the powder into the gums. It is also dissolved in water and injected (the preferred method of the chronic, high-dose abuser). It can be sniffed up the nose or mixed with cannabis or tobacco for smoking, or smoked straight off tin foil.
The effects of amphetamines will vary from one person to another. These effects can occur rapidly after a single dose of amphetamines. They can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Speed, gooey, gas, white, bennies, black beauties, copilots, crystal, dexies, eye openers, lid poppers, meth, pep pills, uppers, wake-ups, buzz, whiz, amphet,sulph.
Amphetamines have been used to treat: narcolepsy (uncontrolled episodes of sleep), attention deficit disorder (ADD), sedation caused by drugs prescribed for epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, abnormally low blood pressure associated with anaesthesia, obesity due to improper diet, and psychic depression.
Street combinations include K bombs (amphetamines and ketamine) goofballs (amphetamines and barbiturates), speedballs (methamphetamine and cocaine and heroin), and zoom (cocaine, heroin and amphetamines). LSD is sometimes combined with amphetamines, but usually the buyer is not aware of the presence of the other drug when buying.
Tolerance develops rapidly with continued use.
Dependence. Psychological dependence develops quickly in most regular users. Chronic high-dose use results in physical dependence.
Withdrawal. There are no physical symptoms from abruptly discontinuing regular use. Rather, the prominent symptoms are extreme fatigue, followed by prolonged but disturbed sleep. Other symptoms include mental agitation, depression, irritability, panic and feelings of being unable to cope
As amphetamines are often mixed with other substances, it is not possible to know exactly what drug is contained in samples bought on the street. It is also difficult to know what dose of the drug is being taken. When amphetamines are used for medical purposes, they are usually prescribed in doses of about 5-10mg (about the same amount as a small pinch of salt).
Acute amphetamine poisoning (overdose) can cause a number of effects including:
- irregular heartbeat
- heart attack
- a very high fever
- burst blood vessels in the brain
Some deaths have occurred as a result of amphetamine overdoses. Most deaths, however, are due to accidents while under the influence of speed.
Amphetamine psychosis, a mental disturbance, may also occur as a result of either a high dose of amphetamines or a period of taking high doses of amphetamines. It’s symptoms include hearing voices, delusions, suspicion and fear of persecution.
Illegal use, possession or supply of amphetamines carries heavy fines and imprisonment. Penalties range from a $2000 fine and/or two years in prison to a $500,000 fine and/or imprisonment for life.