AMPHETAMINES OR SPEED
AKA: Billy, whiz
They are usually in
powder form and people take them by rubbing the powder on their
gums, snorting lines or occasionally by injecting it.
Why do people take
it?
What class is it?
How does it
affect the heart?
What are the other effects on the body?
What are illegal drugs?
Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important
organs. Different drugs affect you in different ways and include
different risks. Here you can find out more about them.
Class A, B or C?
The British government separate the different kinds of illegal
drugs into three different categories. These classes (A, B and C)
carry different levels of penalty for possession and dealing. Drugs
classified ‘A’ have the strongest penalties, drugs classified ‘C’
have the lowest.
(These classes have nothing to do with how strong or dangerous a
drug is – some class ‘C’ drugs can kill you.)
To find out more about the fines and prison sentences you can
get for carrying drugs, go to talktofrank
AMPHETAMINES OR SPEED
Why do people take it?
Amphetamines make people feel wide awake, chatty and confident.
They also stop you feeling hungry.
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What class is it?
B, unless it is prepared for injecting and then it turns into
class A. Crystal meth is a type of
amphetamine and is class A however it is used.
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How does it affect the heart?
Amphetamines are very bad for the heart. They increase your
heart rate and blood pressure. Arrhythmias and strokes can also
occur.
There is a risk of death from pulmonary oedema – this is when
fluid backflows to the lungs due to extra strain on the heart.
Injecting speed increases the risk of endocarditis – a
life-threatening heart condition, which many people with congenital
heart disease are already more susceptible to. There is also
obviously a risk of HIV or Hepatitis for anyone injecting
drugs.
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What are the other effects on the body?
As speed is often used by rubbing on the gums, it can damage
your mouth and gums.
Amphetamines also cause anxiety, depression, and paranoia–
paranoia is where you get panicky and think that people are out to
get you.
They can also make people aggressive and in some cases can cause
mental health problems.
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Useful links
Talk to Frank:
www.talktofrank.com
0800 776600
24 hours a day, every day.
Textphone for people with hearing
difficulties
0800 9178765
Release:
www.release.org.uk
0845 4500 215
help and legal advice line
(open 11am-1pm for drug or legal advice. 2-4pm drugs advice
only)
References
Talk to Frank
(drugs information service)
www.talktofrank.com
0800 776600
Release
(drugs information service)
www.release.org.uk
0845 4500 215
'Cocaine and the Heart'
New England Journal of Medicine 2003
Vol 348:487-488
Kloner.R, Rezkalla.S
Cocaine Abuse: Repolarisation Abnormalities
and Ventricular Arrhythmias. The American Journal of Medical
Science 2000
Vol 320 (1)
Gamouras.G et al