Amphetamines

Uppers
Sulphate
Sulph
Go Fast
Fast
Dexies
Dex
Crank
Ice
Billy Whizz
Billy
Whizz
Phet
Speed
Methylamphetamine
Dextroamphetamine
Dexamphetamine Sulphate
Amphetamine Sulphate

Scientific Names: Amphetamine sulphate, dexamphetamine sulphate, dextroamphetamine, methylamphetamine. Amphetamine-like drugs include apisate (diethylproprion), duromine (phentermine), volital (pemoline), ritalin (methylphenidate), tenuate dospan (diethylpropion).

Generic Names: Enwau Generig: Amphetamines

An example of what Amphetamines looks like

You cannot always be sure that what you buy is what you get, but if you want to send any substance off for testing, you can send it to WEDINOS

What does it look like?

Licit:
5mg dexamphetamine tablets (Dexedrine), white, marked SKF.

Illicit:
Amphetamine sulphate powder ranges in colour from off-white to pink (known as pink champagne). Methylamphetamine comes as white crystals, and is known as ice, or in tablets known in Thailand as yabba or shabu.

Effects of Amphetamines

Desired Effects:

Euphoria, alertness, confidence.

Side Effects:

Insomnia, loss of appetite, dry mouth.

Harm Reduction

Amphetamines are stimulants.
They will keep you awake for long periods of time before the comedown.
Using more than one stimulant drug at a time drug can put your heart under significant stress.
Don't inject - injecting amphetamine can become compulsive and is very risky.
If you do inject, always use clean needles and never share any equipment.
Safer ways of using are smoking, snorting, swallowing as there is lower risk of overdose, infection and contraction of blood borne viruses.
Swallowing it is by far the safest way to use it. Snorting it is more risky and injecting is the riskiest way to use.
Stimulant drugs are caustic so if swallowed they can damage the lining of the throat, oesophagus and stomach; if you are going to take them this way then use a capsule or cigarette paper.
Amphetamines can cause the body to dehydrate and over heat; if you choose to use make sure you drink water or soft drinks regularly.
Don't forget to eat - amphetamines suppress the appetite so eat before and after using.
Amphetamines disrupt sleep patterns so sleep is essential to help your body recover.
Try not to use other drugs, such as benzos, to come down; food and sleep are the best way.
Make sure you have more days where you don't use, than days that you do.
Use in a safe environment with trusted company and tell someone you are with what you are taking.
Amphetamines may interact badly with some anti-depressant medicines such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Short term risks

Anxiety, paranoia, tolerance.

Desired risks

Euphoria, alertness, confidence.

Long term risks

Psychosis, psychological dependence.

Risks

Long term risks:

Psychosis, psychological dependence.

Short term risks:

Anxiety, paranoia, tolerance.

How does Amphetamines work?

Central nervous system stimulant.

Legal status of Amphetamines

Class B, under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Class A if prepared for injection.

How is Amphetamines taken?

Tablets can be swallowed, powders can snorted up the nose, dissolved in a drink, or swallowed (known as bombing). Both powders and tablets can prepared for injection. Methylamphetamine, or ice, can be smoked.

Paraphernalia

Illicit amphetamine is usually sold as 'grams' or in a paper wrap. If the drug is snorted - a razor blade will be used to chop it on a hard level surface such as a mirror or a sheet of glass or a tile. A tube or rolled banknote will be used as a 'pipe'. If injected: syringe and needle, water, tourniquet. If smoked: matches and tinfoil.

Medical uses of Amphetamines

Sometimes prescribed as an appetite suppressant, to treat narcolepsy, hyperactivity in children, and depression.

Where Does it Come From?

Diverted from manufacturers, pharmacies, GPs, or made in clandestine laboratories in Britain and elsewhere and distributed through the illicit drug market.

Helping Services

Most areas of the UK have 'street agencies' or projects (sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams) which offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, needle exchanges and sometimes support groups and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. The increase in stimulant use has led to some agencies offering specialist counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, acupuncture and other alternative therapies and prescribing of anti-depressants, and also possible referral to residential rehabilitation. Some services have extended working hours and may offer weekend support. GPs and possibly the local hospital A&E department can make referrals to specialist drug services as well as general medical services, information and advice often in partnership with a drug agency or Drug Dependency Unit.

Parents & other relatives

Drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents of people using these drugs. Many street agencies can provide relative support groups or counselling for family members, partners etc.