Speed

‘Speed’ is the street name for a range of amphetamines such as amphetamine sulphate, dexedrine and dexamphetamine. Like cocaine, amphetamines are stimulants that people take to keep them awake and alert. The effects of amphetamine kicks in within half an hour of ingesting it by mouth. If you inject it you’ll experience the effects quicker and these effects can last for up to six hours. The high is generally followed by a long slow comedown.

Slang

Street names for drugs can vary around the country. Phet, Billy, Whizz, Sulph, Base, Paste, Dexies.

The effects

Speed makes people feel wide awake, excited and chatty.
Clubbers take it because it gives them the energy to dance for hours without getting tired.
Amphetamines was once the main ingredient in diet pills because it stops people feeling hungry.

Chances of getting hooked

You can get strongly addicted to amphetamines. The more times you take it, the more you’ll need to get the same buzz.

The law

Speed is a Class B drug. It’s illegal to have, give away or sell. Prepared-for-injection Speed becomes a Class A and can get you tougher sentencing if you're caught with it or selling it. Possession can get you up to five years in jail and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.

Appearance and use

Speed is usually sold in wraps. The powder is off-white or pinkish and can sometimes look like small crystals. The ‘base’ form of speed is purer and is a pinkish-grey colour and feels like putty.

‘Crystal meth’ (methylamphetamine or methamphetamine) is a particularly powerful, addictive and dangerous form of speed that comes in a crystalline form.
Prescription amphetamines like dexamphetamine are usually small white pills. They are used to treat conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Speed is either dabbed onto the gums or is snorted in lines like cocaine using a rolled up bank note. Sometimes it's rolled up in cigarette paper and swallowed, called a speedbomb. It can also be mixed in drinks. To obtain rapid high blood levels in heavy users it can also be injected or in the case of ‘crystal meth’ smoked in its 'Ice' form.

Cost

Prices can vary from region to region. The prices given here are an average of street prices reported from 20 different parts of England. £8 - £12 per wrap

Purity

Speed typically is not a pure drug – most of the powder only contains 5-15% amphetamine. Base speed is usually substantially purer. Speed’s often taken along with ecstasy.

The risks

Depending on how much has actually been used, it can be difficult to relax or sleep after taking speed .
The come down can make users feel irritable and depressed and can last for one or two days.
Speed users have died from overdoses.
Speed puts a strain on your heart. It's not advisable for people with high blood pressure or a heart condition.
Avoid taking speed with anti-depressants or alcohol. This combination has been known to be fatal.
Taking a lot of speed can give your immune system a battering. You could get more colds, flu and sore throats if you use it a lot.
Speed can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability and aggression as well as mental illness such as psychosis and paranoid feelings.
Prepared-for-injection speed may can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene (deadening or decaying of body tissue especially the digits and limbs) and especially with dirty needles.
Shared needles and injecting works can help the spread of viral hepatitis and HIV infections. Injecting ‘speed’ may be particularly dangerous because it's so impure. It's also easier to overdose when injecting.

Speed

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