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Speed
 Speed
(amphetamines) has been called the party drug because some people use it to stay
up and energized all night. It does not always work that way, however, it
can make you jittery, angry and moody and this usually means being down and
tired the next day. This topic gives facts about speed including what it looks
like, how and why it's used as well as the down side to using speed. There is
some advice on what to do if you're worried about speed use.
IMPORTANT
NOTE:
-
If
you believe that a person is overdosing (ODing) on drugs or alcohol, get
immediate medical assistance.
-
Call
an ambulance and describe the symptoms (e.g. my friend has collapsed, is
unconscious). Follow the operator's instructions.
-
Have
the address ready when you phone.
-
When
the ambulance officers get there let them know exactly what drugs have been
taken. Be honest about what has been taken. Your friend needs your help
right now.
WHAT
IS SPEED?
Speed
is the slang name for amphetamines. Speed is a drug that stirs up the central
nervous system, speeding up the body and the brain. It can be used for medical
conditions like narcolepsy (where the person can't help falling asleep anywhere,
anytime) and attention disorders in children.
Note:
It is dangerous to use medication prescribed for other people's medical
conditions. It is illegal to sell any medication for another purpose. The speed
bought on the streets is mostly all made in backyard laboratories. As it's
passed from maker to dealer to person on the street, it can be cut (mixed with
other things) along the way. People will cut it with similar looking substances
e.g. glucose or talcum powder. So speed is really a mixture of chemicals. Some
of these can be very dangerous.
WHAT
DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
It
is usually a white, red, yellowish or brownish paste/powder that tastes bitter.
It can also come in tablet/capsule form, or as a liquid. The paste is
Methamphetamine, which is stronger and is more often injected.
SLANG
WORDS
Amphetamine:
Speed, White, Goey, Fast, Snow, Whiz, Dragon's Blood, Oxblood, Uppers. A
"G" is a gram of speed.
Using:
Having a Snort, Having a Line, Skiing, Shooting Up, Hitting Up, Having a Blast,
Having a Hit, Wacking Up.
WHY
SOME PEOPLE USE IT?
Some
people use speed because it makes them feel much more alert, energetic, wide
awake, excited and confident. They talk non-stop and can go for ages without
eating or sleeping. Some people use it to stay awake e.g. if working long hours
or two jobs work or for all night study. Some people might use it to try and
lose weight. When people inject it they get a rush of excitement all over their
body.
HOW
IS IT USED?
Most
often people snort it (breathe it in through the nose). Many users inject speed,
while others dissolve it in a drink or eat it. Different ways of taking speed
have different effects e.g. injecting gives a physical sensation, drinking it in
a drink means the effect will last longer so this may be preferred by people who
use it to stay awake for long periods.
THE
DOWN SIDE
There
are risks from injecting speed. These risks are:
-
sharing
needles and other injecting equipment can lead to infection such as HIV (the
AIDS virus), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted
diseases.
-
unsafe
injecting and additives used to cut speed can lead to abscesses, tetanus and
collapsed veins.
There
are risks because of what is in speed as it is made in backyard laboratories and
is cut by people along the line. Some very strong chemicals are used to make the
stuff and it's later cut with anything from vitamin C powder to baking soda to
toilet cleaner. This can all add up to a dangerous mix.
Other
down sides are:
-
feeling
nervous, hostile or aggressive
-
it
can affect driving skills like judging distances and how fast the car's
going.
-
taking
a lot can cause shakiness, erratic heartbeat, cramps, headaches and loss of
coordination - some people have collapsed
-
there
have been ODs (overdoses) that end up in stroke, seizures (fits) and death
-
speed
mixed with alcohol can mean an awake very drunk person and all the
aggression that can go with that state of mind
-
there's
a risk of being arrested by police - because use of it is illegal.
If
used over a long time some down sides are:
-
PSYCHOSIS
- this is a usually a temporary form of psychosis - the person can see
things or hear things that aren't there, believe weird things like people
are after him and other strange feelings
-
depression
-
anxiety
-
suicidal
thoughts
-
being
very moody
-
the
person gets run down from not eating or sleeping properly
-
the
person could need to take other drugs to get to sleep
-
the
person can suddenly become violent
-
if
used during pregnancy it can harm the unborn child
-
people
can become dependent, either in their mind where they crave for speed, or
their body becomes so used to it that they go through trauma if they stop
-
people
need more and more to get the same feeling
-
there
could be family arguments and conflict about using speed
-
risk
of family break down, risk of losing friends
-
financial
problems due to the costs of speed
-
using
speed can mask pain which means infections can go unnoticed.
WHAT
DOES THE LAW SAY?
Depending
on where you live there are different laws about speed. You need to check
the law where you live.
WORRIED
ABOUT SPEED USE?
Other
people using speed
There are different levels of use. Many people never use it. Others try it
once. Others use it occasionally. For some people it becomes a habit and can
become a much bigger problem. Drug use does not mean the person is addicted.
If
you're concerned about anyone using a drug there are some ways that are better
to let them know. In the end, he'll make his own decisions and it is his
responsibility.
-
Make
sure that your information is right and you haven't made a mistake.
-
Talk
to the person, let her know you care about her but are concerned about the
drug use.
-
Think
carefully about what you want to say before talking to the person.
-
Listen
to what the person has to say - he may have other problems that will need
your support.
-
Choose
the right time - when you're both calm and not when she is affected by the
drug.
-
Don't
yell or argue or blame. You'll only alienate him.
-
Don't
be judgmental or hypocritical - remember there are many kinds of drug use,
some of them legal such as smoking and tobacco use.
If
you're using speed
If
you're injecting speed you'd be right to be concerned about sharing needles and
other injecting gear, as well as concerns about whether you're likely to get
infections from incorrect needle use. There are health professionals who can
offer advice and information.
If
you're wanting to give up and have been using often you could go through
withdrawals like having strong cravings, being tired and bad tempered and having
nightmares when you can sleep.
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