Amphetamine-type Stimulants

What is it?

Amphetamine type stimulants encompass some of the most common, well known and used drugs including Ecstasy, Speed and Base, Ice and Methamphetamine. They are synthetic drugs meaning they are not natural and created by processing chemical ingredients.

What does it look like?

Amphetamines come in several varieties and as a result appear in different forms.

• They can be different coloured powders

• Capsules of various colors

• Ice comes in sheet like crystals or crystalline powder

Street Names

• Amphetamine: Speed, whiz, uppers, goey, louee
• Dexamphetamine:(ADHD medication used illicitly) Kidi-speed, whiz, uppers, dexies, pep pills
• Phentermine:(Illegally imported weight loss medication used illicitly) Adipex-p or fastin
• Methylamphetamine (solid): Meth, speed, whiz, fast, uppers, goey, louee, rabbit, tail, pep pills, base, pure, point or wax.
• Methylamphetamine (liquid): Leopard's blood, ox blood, red speed or liquid red
• Crystal Methylamphetamine: Ice, meth, d-meth, glass, crystal, batu, shabu (from the Philippines)
• Paramethoxyamphetamine: Death, PMA, PMMA (often mixed with or marketed as ecstasy, all are known to be fatal)

How They Are Taken

• Injected – Liquid
• Snorted – Powder form
• Smoked – Crystals, Liquid
• Oral – Capsules tablets

How They Work

Amphetamines affect the activity of the nervous system. They speed up the messages between the brain and the body.

Why Is It Taken? (Desired Side Effects)

Amphetamines have the potential to make people feel energetic, confident with a high sense of positive feelings like love, happiness and gratitude. These drugs are often used by those who want to dance and party all night.

Unwanted Side Effects

• Increased heart rate – heart palpitations
• Faster breathing
• Higher blood pressure
• Panic attacks
• Headaches
• Reduced appetite
• Irritability
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Dilated pupils

Long Term Side Effects

• Sleeping disorders, such as insomnia
• Anxiety – depression
• Mental issues – paranoia, high blood pressure, aggression
• Irregular heart beat
• Malnutrition

Overdose And Death

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Coma
• Seizure
• Death