Speed

What is Speed?

Speed is the name given to amphetamines. Other names include whizz, uppers, amph, billy and sulphate.

Speed is a stimulant that can be snorted, swallowed, smoked or injected for a quick buzz of intense energy and confidence.

Facts and figures

• Amphetamines are Class B drugs when in powder or tablet form, but in liquid form (for injection) they are Class A drugs.
• The powder is usually a dirty greyish-white: these are the most impure of all illegal drugs in the UK.
• Regular users develop a tolerance to speed so that they need to take progressively more in order to achieve the same effect. Although it is not highly addictive, they may become dependent on the buzz they get from it.

What speed does

• As speed is a stimulant, the user’s mind will race, their heart will beat faster and their breathing rate will increase while under the influence. Appetite, meanwhile, will be suppressed.
• Some users may experience feelings of tension and anxiety.
• The ‘comedown’ lasts for one or two days, for some users it may last longer, and during this time the user will feel tired and depressed; their memory and their ability to sleep and to concentrate will also be affected.
• If high doses of speed are repeated over a short period of time (a few days), the user may begin to panic and hallucinate.

Dangers and health risks

• Long-term use of speed strains the heart and overdose can be fatal.
• Using speed can lead to mental illnesses such as psychosis.