CRYSTAL METH
AKA: Ice, glass, Christine, Tina, crystal
methylamphetamine, crystal methamphetamine
- Crystal meth is part of the amphetamine
group but people are
starting to see it as a separate drug because it’s becoming so
popular.
- Crystal meth looks like small crystals and most people who take
it smoke 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
CRYSTAL METH
Why do people take it?
The effects of crystal meth are a bit like cocaine or speed, but
they last longer.
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What class is it?
Crystal meth has recently been reclassified because it is so
addictive and so dangerous. It is now a class A drug.
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How does it affect the heart?
- Crystal meth makes the heart beat faster and blood pressure
rise.
- Abnormal heart rhythms can occur.
- There is a risk of stroke.
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What are the other
effects on the body?
- The risks to your mental health are serious. People who take
crystal meth often suffer from psychosis – this is when you lose
touch with reality and become very mentally unwell, needing urgent
psychiatric help.
- It can also cause paranoia – paranoia is where you get panicky
and think that people are out to get you.
- People can become violent on this drug, they get wound-up and
confused.
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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