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The information on these pages is designed to give you and idea of what drugs do and the risks involved. As a service, we accept that drug use is part of the World and Island we live in today and are here to help if you need us.

Drug use is risky, there are no regulations on illegal drugs (such as strength or content) and so you’ll never know what you’ve really bought. We want you to be safe and make informed decisions – it could affect the rest of your life. If your drugs use, or that of a friend, family member or colleague is causing you concern, don’t be ashamed or afraid to get in touch if you need help or support.
 
AMPHETAMINE
(Also known as Speed, Whizz, Sulph, Uppers)
CLASS B DRUG which means:

Maximum sentence for possession of Amphetamine is 5 years imprisonment and fine.

Maximum sentence for supply of illicit amphetamine is 14 years imprisonment and fine.

If amphetamines are prepared for injection, they become a
CLASS A DRUG and the penalties increase.

It is not an offence to possess amphetamine legally prescribed for you.


What is it? What do you do with it? Amphetamine sulphate is a ‘stimulant’. It is usually sniffed or swallowed but can be injected or smoked as well. In powder form the colour can vary from off-white or grey to a pinkish-white colour and also comes in paste and tablet form. Effects last 3-4 hours.

Why people might use it – To increase confidence, excitement, feel they have more energy to dance or stay awake for long distance driving or study for exams or to feel alert. Amphetamine also reduces the desire to eat or sleep.

What does it do? – As a stimulant, it makes people feel more alert and energetic. It increases body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure. Loss of appetite and therefore loss of weight occurs if regular use continues. Because it doesn’t magically create extra energy, you borrow it from your body store. This has to be paid back and users can feel anxious, tired and irritable. It can take the body a few days to recover.

Some people can become violent, paranoid, and aggressive and some become suicidal. Like Ecstasy, remember that dancing all night on amphetamine can lead to the same dangers of dehydration and drinking too much water.

Regular users may need to increase the dose as they build up a tolerance to the drug. Some may get psychologically addicted to it and may feel they cannot have a good time or enjoy themselves without it or get on a cycle of repeating use to avoid the come down.

Snorting/sniffing amphetamines can damage the nasal passage.
 
How do I avoid the come down? – The ‘come down’ refers to how we feel when the effects are wearing off or how we feel the next day. Stimulants don’t give you extra energy they borrow from the body’s existing store and has to be ‘paid back’ as it were. You can feel run down, irritable and restless. Some people become tense and anxious and feel tired and depressed for days after use. You can’t avoid the come down, so the only answer is to avoid using it. Always remember with any stimulant, what goes up must come down.
    
     
Long-term heavy use can put strain on your heart and regular high doses can lead to amphetamine psychosis, delusions, hallucinations and mental illness.

Injecting amphetamine is dangerous for a number of reasons. The purity of street amphetamine is particularly low, UK figures suggest a purity of 4%, so the other 96% is made up of whatever the dealer has bulked it out with – you’ll never know. So, injecting unknown substances is a problem. Injecting can become compulsive by the desire to chase the rush. The purity like other drugs can also vary and occasionally there may be strong batches appearing on the street and you may inadvertently inject a very high dose.

Sharing needles increases the risk of contracting infections like hepatitis and HIV. There are needle exchanges on the Island so get in touch if you would like a list - EMAIL US
 

OVERDOSE RISKS

Overdose of speed (amphetamine) is more likely to occur when mixed with depressants like alcohol, tranquillisers or heroin.


If you find yourself relying on Amphetamines to have a good time and feeling trapped by the ups and downs and want to get off, there is help available.

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