Information » Health » Substance Misuse » Speed
- Speed is an off white to pinkish powder. Its other names include Amphetamine, Whizz, and Yabba. Amphetamine can be a prescription drug and one name for it is Dexamphetamine, which are small white tablets.
- Speed can be taken in many different forms, these include being swallowed, sniffed, rubbed onto the gums, mixed in drinks or injected.
- The effect of speed is to make the user feel excited and have lots of energy and stops them feeling hungry. However it also makes the person restless and unable to sleep. The lasting effect for a couple of days can be to feel depressed and irritable.
- Speed can be addictive, the more you take the more likely you are to need more to get the same effect.
- Included in the risks are:
- Using speed affects the heart and is particularly dangerous for anyone with a heart condition or high blood pressure
- Other effects include aggression, depression, and being more likely to get sore throats and colds as it affects your immune system
- Speed users risk damage if they inject into veins as it can lead to gangrene. There is also a risk of HIV/Aids, hepatitis B or C when users share needles. Speed can be mixed with other substances such as caffeine and vitamin c and this is another hazard when injecting.
- Speed is a class B drug so it is illegal to have, give away or sell.
- If speed has been prepared for injection it becomes a class A drug.
- Possession of speed can mean a five year prison sentence.
- Supplying another person with speed can mean up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
