Speed

The Drug

Amphetamine is a powerful artificially-made drug and is described as a `stimulant', this means that it increases the activity in the mind and body. The most commonly available amphetamine on the street is amphetamine sulphate, often called speed, whiz, Billy. This usually comes in powder in a variety of colours from white, off white, brown, red or pink. Although this is usually found in the form of powder, it can also be found in capsules or tablets.

The drug contains impurities, and the average amount of `real' speed could be as little as 3-6%. Dealers `cut' the drug (mix it with other substances) so they can make more money. Speed will often be cut with glucose, lactose, paracetamol or even talcum powder. It has been known for dealers to mix speed with animal worming tablets - ER.

Amphetamines can be taken by mouth, by injecting or by `snorting' up the nose. Other way include bombing (wrapping the drug in a cigarette paper and swallowing it), rubbing the drug on to the gums, `dabbing' - wetting your finger and dabbing it into the drug or dissolving it in either a soft drink or alcohol; mixing alcohol and speed can be dangerous because of the way they react against each other can increase the effect of either drug, there is no way of predicting what the effects will be.

What it does to the mind and body

The effects of speed can be different from person to person, and like LSD the effects will depend on the users state of mind before taking the drug.

The `buzz' or rush experienced, whether taken by mouth or injected makes the user have huge feelings of well-being: this can show itself in feeling high, feeling nervous and excitable, not being able to sleep, being agitated, talking a lot, feeling aggressive, can eat and what seems like loads of energy. The endless energy is because the drug releases the body's deep energy reserves from within the liver and body fats, so once the drug has worn off the user will feel completely without energy, until these reserves are built up again.

Other effects of speed can be dry mouth, thirst, sweating, palpitations (heart beats fast), increased blood pressure, feeling sick, being sick, headaches, dizziness and tremors.

The affects of speed usually wears off after about three to four hours, when the user will become suddenly tired, irritable and depressed, and unable to concentrate. Often feelings of confusion persecution and violence can follow.

Psychological dependence to speed develops quickly. This means that a person gets such a strong wish for the feeling the drug produces, that the user prefers feeling `drugged' to feeling normal. Because of this the user is likely to experience feelings of deep depression, lack of interest, confusion and paranoia (suspicion and mistrust of others).

As the user takes more and more and larger amounts, so poisonous effects such as paranoid psychosis (severe mental problems affecting the whole personality) is likely to happen. Once the user stops taking the drug, the effects will gradually fade in most people, although it can take sometimes as long as several months to disappear.

Using speed for a long while makes to user run down because of the lack of sleep and not eating properly. There is also the risk that your hear may stop and your blood vessels may collapse because the drug makes your heart beat faster and makes your blood pressure higher.

An overdose of speed increases body temperature and can cause hallucinations (seeing things) convulsions (fits) and possible death.

The Law and Amphetamines

Amphetamines are controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), and are considered a class B drug, which could mean a prison sentence of 5 years plus a fine of £500+ for having it in your possession; or a prison sentence of 14 years and an unlimited fine for selling it or transporting it from one area to another. If the drug is prepared for injecting then it is considered a class A drug, which could mean a prison sentence of 7 years plus a fine of £1000+ for possession; or life imprisonment plus an unlimited fine for trafficking.

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