Amphetamines and Methamphetamine:
What are Amphetamines / Methamphetamine?
Synthetic stimulants that effect brain neurotransmitters. They mimic the fight-flight response that enables the body to perform physical activity under situations of stress.
- The most common type is amphetamine sulphate which is relatively easy to produce. This is commonly known as amphetamine, it is also known as speed, whiz, uppers, amph, billy, Phet, sulph, and sulphate.
- Off-white, grey or pinkish powder (snorted, swallowed, injected, swallowed in drink, taken as tablets, or dabbed onto the gums ),
- Base speed is purer and is a pinkish-grey colour and feels like putty.
- Prescription amphetamines are usually small white pills.
Methamphetamine is one of a group of amphetamine stimulants,
smokable methamphetamine that comes in a crystalline form
is usually called ice also known as: Krank, Nazi krank, tina, crystal meths, tweak,
The law
- Amphetamine: Class B drug, but carries class A penalties if prepared for injection
- Possession: maximum five years in jail and/or fine.
- Possession with intent to supply, or supplying maximum 14 years prison and/or fine.
- if prepared for injection: Possession maximum seven years prison and/or fine
- If prepared for injection: Possession with intent to supply, or supplying life imprisonment and/or fine.
- Methamphetamine:Class A drug from 18 January 2007
History
- Amphetamine was introduced in the 1930s for the treatment of colds and hay fever. Later used as an appetite suppressant
- Amphetamine (including methamphetamine) was issued to soldiers in world war II to maintain energy. Today, recommended use is restricted to narcolepsy and hyperactivity disorder.
- Amphetamine became popular amongst ‘mods’ in the 1960s
- Methamphetamine: Adolf Hitler received daily injections of methamphetamine from his personal physician
Effects
- Dilated pupils, increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, excitement, confidence and energy, and increased concentration and alertness
- Dose lasts three or four hours
- Loss of appetite.
Purity
- Often powder only contains 5-15% amphetamine. Base speed is usually purer.
Risks
- Death from overdose
- Some users become tense and anxious
- Users can become tired and depressed for days
- insomnia
- Reduced immune system
- High repeated doses may cause panic and hallucinations
- Long term use puts a strain on the heart
- Heavy long-term use can cause mental illness
- Methamphetamine-induced psychosis
- Some users move to injecting to maximise the effect, which may lead to delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. This also increases risks of HIV and hepatitis infections if equipment is shared
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Methamphetamine rots the teeth: Often referred to as ’meth mouth’, methamphetamine significantly reduces the production of saliva in the mouth, Saliva neutralizes acids and physically protects the teeth from bacterial plaque. large images >> 
Methamphetamine-induced delusional parasitosis:
A form of psychosis in which sufferers hold a delusional belief they are infested with parasites, this usually causes the sufferer to scratch away at the skin often the mouth, face, hands and arms causing open wounds.large images >>
Dependence and treatment
- Tolerance develops with regular use with bigger doses being needed for desired effects
- Suddenly stopping can lead to tiredness, depression and lethargy
- There is no accepted substitution treatment.
- Medication may be used to treat symptoms of withdrawal. Rehabilitation, counselling, group work and supported reintegration into the community may be needed.
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