Material on the National Drugs Campaign site is being reviewed following the federal election on 24 November 2007. This revised web site will reflect the new government's policies, programs and priorities for the health and ageing portfolio.

WHERE'S YOUR HEAD AT?

National Drugs Campaign

GET THE FACTS

M

Marijuana (CANNABIS)

Pot, grass, weed, reefer, joint, Mary-Jane, Acapulco Gold, rope, mull, cone, spliff, dope, skunk, bhang, ganja, hash, chronic... More

I

Ice

Meth, crystal meth, d-meth, shabu, tina, glass... More

S

Speed

Uppers, ice, meth, crystal, whizz, snow, go-ee, shabu, point, paste, base, zip, eve, leopard's blood, oxblood, gogo, MDEA... More

E

Ecstasy

E, Ex, E and C, eccy, MDMA, PMA, adam, XTC, love drug, eggs... More

C

Cocaine

Coke, flake, snow, happy dust, Charlie, gold dust, Cecil, C, freebase, toot, white girl, Scotty, white lady. Crack cocaine-crack, rock, base, sugar block... More

H

Heroin

Horse, hammer, H, dope, smack, junk, gear, boy... More

C

GHB

G, fantasy, grievous bodily harm (GBH), liquid ecstasy and liquid E... More

AT

Alcohol + Tobacco

It's easy to forget that alcohol and tobacco are drugs too... More

DRUGS


Speed (amphetamines)


OTHER NAMES:
Uppers, ice, meth, crystal, whizz, snow, go-ee, shabu, point, paste, base, zip, eve, leopard's blood, oxblood, gogo, MDEA.

IMPACTS:
The symptoms of using speed can include:

    • Increased blood pressure and pulse rate
    • Increased breathing
    • Teeth grinding
    • Anxiety
    • Restlessness
    • Insomnia
    • Fever and sweating
    • Flushing
    • Dry mouth and lips
    • Dilated pupils
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Mood swings

Consequences of using speed can include:

    • Paranoia
    • Hallucinations
    • Chronic sleep problems
    • Cracked teeth through grinding
    • High blood pressure
    • Panic attacks
    • Anxiety
    • Nervousness
    • Decreased emotional control
    • Severe depression
    • Violent behaviour
    • Speed psychosis
    • Nerve cell damage
    • Death from heart failure or suicide
    • High risk of addiction, especially if injected
    • HIV and hepatitis infections through sharing of needles

OTHER FACTS:
Speed is a powder or liquid that varies in texture (from very fine to more coarse and crystalline, or as a thick liquid) and colour (white to yellow, pink or brownish). These changes in colour happen because as well as amphetamines, speed is also likely to contain a variety of other ingredients, such as sugar, glucose, bicarbonate of soda and ephedrine.

Many of the negative effects of amphetamine use are related to mental health. Some of these effects are: anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, depression, hallucinations and decreased emotional control. Regular use can induce personality changes with users typically becoming irritable, suspicious, dysphoric, anxious and at times aggressive.

One of the most common effects of amphetamine overdose is 'speed psychosis' which closely resembles the effects of a sudden attack of paranoid schizophrenia. It usually begins with a heightened awareness of the environment and feelings of anxiety and tenseness. A sense of suspicion and the feeling of being watched soon follows, and this may be vague or strong in terms of emotional intensity (NDARC 2004).

Research shows that both physical and verbal violence are associated with long-term amphetamine use. Heavy 'binges' on amphetamines are associated with reckless and aggressive behaviour.

Sharing needles and syringes can greatly increase the risk of contracting hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.

MORE INFO / LINKS:
For information or help about drugs call the National Drugs Campaign Info Line on 1800 250 015 (freecall).

For more information about drugs and links to support services, go to the Helping Hands section of this site.