Speed (amphetamines)

Name It

Speed, whiz, uppers, amph, billy, sulphate

Know It

• Speed usually comes as a grey, white or dirty-white powder, or sometimes in tablets.
• It can be snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked.
• Speed is the most impure drug in the UK.
• Amphetamines are Class B drugs (but carry Class A penalties if prepared for injection.

The Effects

• Speed is a stimulant. It quickens the heartbeat and breathing rate.
• Users may feel confident. Their minds race and they may feel energetic.
• It suppresses the appetite, but doesn’t satisfy the body’s need for nourishment.
• Some people also become tense and experience feelings of anxiety.

The Risks

• The comedown (tiredness and depression) lasts for one or two days, and sometimes longer.
• Sleep, memory and concentration are all affected in the short-term.
• High doses repeated over a few days may cause panic and hallucinations.
• Long-term use puts a strain on the heart. Overdose can be fatal.
• Use of speed can lead to mental illness such as psychosis.