Amphetamines - including 'ice'
speed; amphetamine; drug; methamphetamine; ice; meth; crystal; ritalin; inject; injection; STI; HIV; AIDS; psychosis; psychotic;
Contents
Amphetamines, (speed, methamphetamine, 'meth', 'ice', 'crystal meth') are powerful stimulant drugs which people use to get 'high', stay awake and feel alert. However, they have a big down-side - they can make you jittery and tense, and too much can make users aggressive and moody, sometimes leading to violent behaviour and psychosis (including hallucinations and fear - have a look at the topic 'Psychosis'). People who use amphetamines usually feel down and tired for the following few days.
In recent years, amphetamine use has increased in Australia. They are the second most used illegal drugs in Australia after cannabis. Along with this increase in amphetamine use, the damaging effects have also become more frequent - things like relationship breakdown and young people needing to attend hospital emergency rooms due to use.
What does the law say?
It is illegal to have amphetamines, use them, make them or sell them in Australia. It's also illegal to bring them in or take them out of Australia. It is illegal (and dangerous) to drive while affected by amphetamines
What are amphetamines?
Speed is one of the slang names for amphetamines. Speed is a drug that stirs up the central nervous system, speeding up the body and the brain.
Some forms of amphetamines are used for medical conditions like narcolepsy (where the person can't help falling asleep anywhere, anytime) and attention disorders in children. It is dangerous to use medication prescribed for other people's medical conditions. It is illegal to sell any medication for another purpose.
'Ice' is usually imported into Australia (often from China) and is very pure. Other amphetamines bought on the streets are made in backyard laboratories, using dangerous chemicals and unhygienic equipment. They may contain impurities from the manufacturing process. They will be 'cut' with other powders by dealers before they are sold to the user - dealers will cut them with similar looking substances, eg. glucose, vitamin C powder, baking powder, talcum powder. So they are really a mixture of chemicals. Some of these can be very dangerous.
More information
Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia
www.dassa.sa.gov.au
Drug Info Clearinghouse - Australian Drug Foundation
http://druginfo.adf.org.au/
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/
- Fact sheets – several about methamphetamine/amphetamine
Worried about someone using amphetamines?
If you're concerned about a friend's use of a drug, there are some ways that you can let him or her know that you are worried - in the end, they will make their own decisions and it is their responsibility.
- Make sure that your information is right and that you haven't made a mistake.
- Talk to the person, and let him know you care about him but are concerned about the drug use.
- Think carefully about what you want to say before talking to the person.
- Listen to what the person has to say - she may have other problems that will need your support.
- Choose the right time - when you're both calm and not when she is affected by the drug.
- Don't yell or argue or blame. You'll only alienate him.
- Don't be judgemental or hypocritical.
Resources in South Australia
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).