What are they?
Amphetamines belong to a group of drugs called stimulants. Amphetamines speed up the messages going between the brain and the body. Some types of amphetamines are legally prescribed by doctors to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (where a person has an uncontrollable urge to sleep). However, some people use amphetamines illegally to become intoxicated. Amphetamines are sometimes produced in backyard laboratories and mixed with other substances that can have unpleasant or harmful effects. Street Names Common names for amphetamines are speed, fast, up, uppers, louee, goey, bennies and whiz. |
Appearance
Amphetamines are a family of related drugs. They can be in the form of a powder, tablets, capsules or crystals. They may be packaged in 'foils' (aluminium foil), plastic bags or small balloons when sold illegally. Amphetamine powder can range in colour from white through to brown; sometimes it may be orange or dark purple. It has a strong smell and bitter taste. Amphetamine capsules and tablets vary considerably in colour. They can be a mix of drugs, binding agents, caffeine and sugar. Crystal methamphetamine, a potent form of amphetamine, generally comes in large, sheet-like crystals, or as a crystalline powder. |
How Is It Used?
Amphetamine and methamphetamine pills can be ingested orally, crushed and snorted, dissolved in water and injected, or smoked (inhalation of the vaporized drug). “Glass” and “ice” (pure methamphetamine, which look like clear crystalline rock) is most often smoked (vaporized and inhaled) in a glass pipe, allowing for quick absorption into the bloodstream without the risks of injecting the drug. “Crystal” the powder form of methamphetamine, is consumed orally, injected, or inhaled. |
Effects
Its effect is to stimulate a person to greater wakefulness and energy, bypassing the body's usual pathways for creating energy. A person using amphetamines may be extremely active and talkative, will not sleep in a normal pattern and is likely to have little or no appetite. If amphetamines are abused continuously, the person may stay awake and fail to eat for long periods, leading to a physical crash.
The effects of any drug (including amphetamines) vary from person to person. How amphetamines affect a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to taking it. The effects of amphetamines, as with any drug, also depend on the amount taken. There is no safe level of amphetamine use. Use of any drug always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Short-term Effects
Depending on how amphetamines are taken, the effects may be felt immediately (through injecting or smoking) or within 30 minutes (if snorted or swallowed).
Its effect is to stimulate a person to greater wakefulness and energy, bypassing the body's usual pathways for creating energy. A person using amphetamines may be extremely active and talkative, will not sleep in a normal pattern and is likely to have little or no appetite. If amphetamines are abused continuously, the person may stay awake and fail to eat for long periods, leading to a physical crash.
The effects of any drug (including amphetamines) vary from person to person. How amphetamines affect a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to taking it. The effects of amphetamines, as with any drug, also depend on the amount taken. There is no safe level of amphetamine use. Use of any drug always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Short-term Effects
Depending on how amphetamines are taken, the effects may be felt immediately (through injecting or smoking) or within 30 minutes (if snorted or swallowed).
Low to Moderate Doses
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High Doses
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Long-term Effects
The effects of mixing amphetamines with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines, are often unpredictable. Mixing amphetamines with other stimulant drugs (such as cocaine or ecstasy) increases the stimulant effects and places enormous pressure on the heart and body, which can lead to stroke. Combining amphetamines with depressant drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, heroin or benzodiazepines also places the body under great stress.
- malnutrition and rapid weight loss due to reduced appetite
- chronic sleeping problems
- reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to infections due to not sleeping or eating properly
- cracked teeth and other dental problems from clenching the jaw, grinding the teeth, dry mouth and poor hygiene
- high blood pressure and rapid and irregular heartbeat which place stress on the heart and can increase the risk of heart-related complications such as heart attack and heart failure
- increased strain on the kidneys which can result in kidney failure
- increased risk of stroke
- depression, anxiety and tension
- paranoia
- violence
- panic and confusion
- muscle rigidity
- breathlessness
- damage to the heart muscle
- psychological problems such as poor memory and concentration
- physiological and behavioral disorders/ mental illness
- dizziness
- mood or mental changes
- cardiac arrhythmia
- repetitive motor activity
- convulsions, coma, and death
- skin disorders
- vitamin deficiency
- flush or pale skin
- loss of coordination and physical collapse
The effects of mixing amphetamines with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines, are often unpredictable. Mixing amphetamines with other stimulant drugs (such as cocaine or ecstasy) increases the stimulant effects and places enormous pressure on the heart and body, which can lead to stroke. Combining amphetamines with depressant drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, heroin or benzodiazepines also places the body under great stress.
Legal Status in Canada
In Canada, Amphetamines are a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Possession of a small amount of the drug is treated as a summary offense under the Act. On conviction, the accused is subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail, or both. In a case where the individual has a previous conviction or the amount of the drug in question is larger, the penalties increase. Being convicted of trafficking carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
In Canada, Amphetamines are a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Possession of a small amount of the drug is treated as a summary offense under the Act. On conviction, the accused is subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail, or both. In a case where the individual has a previous conviction or the amount of the drug in question is larger, the penalties increase. Being convicted of trafficking carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.