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What is ‘speed?’
Speed is the street name for a range of drugs called amphetamines - including amphetamine sulphate, Dexedrine, and dexamphetamine. Use of 4-methylamphetamine, an amphetamine that is closely related to the particularly harmful drug - methamphetamine, has recently been reported. Like cocaine, amphetamines are stimulants that people take to keep them awake and alert.
Different amphetamines differ in how powerful they are and how they are considered under the Misuse of Drugs Act. For example, recent reports of 4-methylamphetamine (being sold as Ket Phet or Phet Ket) have suggested that it may be more toxic than the classical speed, amphetamine sulphate. 4-methylamphetamine, like methamphetamine, is a Class A drug, while amphetamine sulphate is a Class B drug.
Amphetamines have been used in wars to help keep soldiers alert and they were once the main ingredient in diet pills, because they stop people feeling hungry. Some amphetamines are used in medicine, for example, Ritalin is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Here are the key effects and risks of taking ‘speed’:
Methamphetamine or ‘crystal meth’ has its own A-Z page
What does speed look like?
Speed is an off-white or pinkish powder and can sometimes look like small crystals. Sold in wraps, it usually costs around £8 – £12 a gram.
However, there are other types of speed:
How do people take speed?
Speed is either dabbed onto the gums, or is snorted in lines (like cocaine powder). Sometimes it's rolled up in a cigarette paper and swallowed, this is called a ‘speedbomb’. It can also be injected or mixed into drinks.
The effects of speed kick in within half an hour of swallowing. If you snort or inject speed it will kick in quicker – the effects can last for up to six hours.
Injecting ’speed’, and sharing injecting equipment, runs the risk of the injector catching or spreading a virus such as HIV or hepatitis C. There is also the risk that veins may be damaged and that an abscess or a blood clot will develop.
What are the effects of speed?
‘Speed’ makes users feel very up, alert and energised, but can also make them agitated and aggressive. It can also have other effects:
Speed use can lead to agitation, panics or even a psychotic episode.
What are the risks?
Taking ‘speed’ does involve risks. Here’s what it could do to you:
How pure is speed?
Speed is usually a very impure street drug – most of the powder only contains 5-15% amphetamine. Base speed is usually somewhat purer.
Can you get addicted to ‘speed’?
Speed is the street name for a range of amphetamines, which are all addictive, meaning you can become strongly dependent on them. The more you take, the more you tend to want to take; and the more you build up your tolerance, so that you need higher doses just to get the same buzz or just to feel 'normal'.
With regular use, you may increasingly take speed to avoid unpleasant withdrawals.
Is speed illegal?
What if you’re caught?
If the Police catch you with speed, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.
Did you know?
When you are young you’re determined you will never smoke, take drugs or even drink excessively. At the age of twelve I started smoking cigarettes (I am now 16), that was only because most kids in my year was trying it out and I didn’t want to be seen as an outcast or different.
Whilst out clubbing one night, one of my friends offered me Speed. I had already been drinking and I didn't know much about the drug, but decided to take some anyway. I quickly started to feel the effects. At first, I felt very happy, talkative and energetic.
I was with my friends one day and it was a rainy day and we were walking around Ashington, with 3 friends. We ended up near the white elephant and my mate met this lad who takes speed, and she got some off him, and they gave me some I had it in my hand, and every one else had took it, and I was standing with it in my hand, I felt under pressure
I first started taking speed about 10yrs ago when clubbing with friends..the feeling it gave was unbelievable..but the next few days were unbearable it starts as a weekend thing then u try some in the week and before u know it your taking it before u can leave the house..the effects aren't the same the longer u use, i used it just to make me feel "normal"....
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This depends on which drug you are talking about and what method is being used to test for the drug. The list below shows the drug detection times (using a urine test) for the most common drugs:
By mixing drugs you increase the chances of having a bad time. The effects of the drugs might be greatly increased, the drugs might interact in an unexpected way or one drug may stop part of your body working properly which makes the other drug(s) that have been taken more dangerous.
All drugs are potentially dangerous and have varying effects on individuals, so it is not possible to name the worst drug. For more information on the effects and risks of various drugs go to the A-Z of drugs.
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