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Amphetamines
Chemical name: Amphetamine Sulphate
Street Name: Sulphate, Sulph, whiz, Speed.
What
is it?
Effects
Risks
Law
First-Aid
 What
is it?
Amphetamine sulphate is a man made drug that usually comes in a white,
grey, pink or yellow powder or pill/ tablet form They may be taken by
mouth, dissolved in water, injected, sniffed up the nose, or smoked. Tablets
and capsules may be manufactured illegally or diverted from medical use.
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Effects
Amphetamine is a stimulant, which acts on the central nervous system and
quickens the heartbeat. The effects tend to set in about half an hour
after taking the drug. Users may also experience increased confidence,
sociability and energy levels. Sometimes users feel anxious and restless
and may panic and feel everyone is getting at them. This tends to disappear
as the drug wears off.
• As it wears off people may feel very tired
and depressed. What goes up must come down. Feelings of irritability,
anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, depression and tremor may occur. Insomnia
is very common and can keep users awake for days afterwards. The "come
down" can last for days, even after small doses.
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Risks
• Individuals can suffer a bad reaction to
amphetamines; there have been cases of severe toxic reactions occurring
even at low doses. It can cause increased blood pressure; this can cause
small veins under the skin to burst, leaving red spots especially around
the face. Increased blood pressure can also rupture or block tiny blood
vessels, if this happens in the brain, it can lead to paralysis or coma.
Injecting can damage veins and lead to gangrene. Injection also puts users
at risk of dangerous infections such as hepatitis and HIV,
from contaminated needles, syringes and other equipment.
• Individuals can develop a tolerance to amphetamine
so they find themselves taking more and more to get an effect. Disruption
of sleep and eating patterns may lead to regular users becoming very physically
run down. This can reduce resistance to illness. The impurities in amphetamines
can be dangerous in themselves. Heavy, regular users may become very depressed
and paranoid. Taken over a period of time, this can cause psychotic mental
illness to develop.
• Research suggests that amphetamines damage
some type of neurone in the brain. No one knows whether these neurones
can regain their normal function when abuse is stopped.
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Law
The Misuse of Drugs Acts controls most of the amphetamine type drugs.
Their unauthorised production, supply or possession is an offence, as
is allowing premises to be used for producing or supplying the drugs.
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First-Aid responses
What to do if the user feels tense and anxious.
• Calm the person down and reassure them that
everything is alright.
•
Talk quietly and explain that the panicky feeling will gradually go.
•
Keep them away from loud noises and bright lights.
•
Encourage them to breathe slowly and deeply to prevent hyperventilation
If
someone is overheating
•
Move to a cool area (i.e outside)
• Remove excess clothing and try to cool them
down.
•
Encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids such as soft drinks.
•
Call an ambulance if the problem continues, and explain to the ambulance
crew what you have done If user faints or loses consciousness
Overheating
through taking amphetamines can cause the user to faint. If this happens:
 •
Call an ambulance as soon as possible and explain what has happened and
what you have done when they arrive.
•
Put the person in the recovery position.
•
Loosen any tight clothing that might restrict their breathing.
•
Keep them warm - however; do not do this if fainting is due to overheating.
If they are not breathing, do mouth to mouth resuscitation.
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