 Amphetamines and Methamphetamines |
Also referred to as:
"speed", "crystal", "bennies" "frisco speed" (when combined with heroin), "meth", crank", "ice", rocks", "shabu".
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| » Source |
Amphetamines and amphetamine derivatives are chemical substances based on phenylethylamines. They are synthetic psychostimulants and appetite suppressants. |
| » Modes of use |
Oral, intravenous, or through inhalation. A new form of this drug which is inhaled during smoking is called "ice" or "the murder drug". Just inhaling this drug a few times gives the addict a "high" for 24 hours.
These drugs of abuse are popular among young people at discos, house parties and "rave parties."
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| » Effect of Amphetamines |
The user will feel a euphoria which takes effect 15 to 60 minutes after beginning use and lasts for many hours. Other effects include: emotional liberation, breakdown of communication barriers, increased feelings of self worth, increased energy, elimination of the need for sleep, increased performance and lack of appetite.
Negative Effects
- Discomfort
- Disorientation
- Elevated blood pressure
- Elevated heart rate
- High body
- Temperature
- Irritation
- Nervousness
- Optical and acoustic hallucinations
Dangers of long-term use
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Frequent bouts of dysphoria
- Heart and circulatory failure
- Neurotoxicity
- Paranoid psychoses
- Stroke
Users develop a strong psychological dependence on the drug. Chronic users develop increasing tolerance as they increase their doses. Those undergoing withdrawal will suffer bouts of depression and headaches.
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| » Indications of Cocaine Abuse |
- Cut-off drinking straws
- Miniature spoon for measuring a single dose
- Pocket mirror
- Razor blades (to break up larger clumps of cocaine or cocaine paste, and to form a "line" on the mirror or a glass plate)
- Small envelopes made of paper, cellophane, or metal foil folded in the shape of a star or fit in a pocket Snuff
- Commercial cans, which are then filled with a mixture of snuff (menthol-enhanced stuff) and cocaine.
- Special scales (bullion balances) made of plastic
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| » Methylenedioxyamphetamines – MDA, MDMA ("Ecstasy"), MDEA |
Also referred to as: MDA – ""love pill", "love drug", "speed for lovers." MDEA – "Eve", "Eva" MDMA – "Ecstasy", "Adam", "XTC", "Love Pill", "Ecsta" |
| » Appearance: |
| White, crystalline powder which may also appear in capsule or tablet form. |
| » Modes of use: |
Oral
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| » Effect of Entactogens |
| MDA, MDMA and MDE are the most important drugs in this group, and they create the same effects and side effects as other amphetamines and methamphetamines. MDMA and MDE are "entactogens"-- substances that imbue a person with the sensation that he can reach deep into himself. They promote deep personal introspection and help a person recognize his personal problems and imbue him with confidence to deal with them. Users claim they are more receptive to communication and interpersonal contact, feel that their psyche is "unfolding" and their innermost places are being reached. (Because of these liberating qualities, some of these drugs were originally used in the U.S. for psychoanalysis.) |
| » Ecstasy and its effects: |
- The most frequently used drug of this group is MDMA ("Ecstasy"). It is particularly popular on the local drug scene and among the general public and is considered by many to be a harmless party drug. This is partly due to its appearance of a brightly colored pill with funny logos which gives the false impression that each pill is professionally formulated with a defined composition.
(One of the difficulties that medical personnel have in treating overdoses is that the contents of "Ecstasy pills" fluctuate considerably and may not even contain MDMA.)
- Part of Ecstasy's attraction is its low price – approximately $12 per pill. The fact that it is ingested orally instead of intravenously also attracts many wary users who believe that they will not suffer the repercussions of disease, personal decline, hepatitis, AIDS and prison that afflict intravenous drug users.
- Ecstasy is often combined with cocaine, amphetamines or alcohol to prolong or dilute the drug's effect. It is taken with LSD to increase toleration of the hallucinogenic effect.
- Ecstasy's effect is felt 30-60 minutes after taking the drug.
The user at first feels the unpleasant sensations of discomfort, fear and deepened breathing, and then he feels the desired effects of increased interpersonal contact, harmony, love, alertness, and physical endurance (i.e. ability to dance for hours without tiring).
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| » Negative side effects of Ecstasy and other Methylenedioxyamphetamines: |
- Anxiety Depression
- Dry mouth
- Elevated and unsteady blood pressure
- Enlargement of the liver
- Hypothermia
- Insomnia
- Jaundice
- Lack of appetite
- Muscle twitches
- Profuse sweating
- Rapid beating of the heart Rhabdomyolysis
- Sleep disruptions
- Sweating
- Trembling
Long-term negative side effects
- Cardiac arrest and apoplexy (in case of overdose)
- Depression
- Hyperthermia resulting in death
- Liver damage
- Psychoses
- Reduced intellectual capabilities
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| » Special dangers of Ecstasy |
| When taken improperly, in excess dosages with other drugs, or without sufficient liquid intake, Ecstasy may be life-endangering. Within a few hours of vigorous physical activity like dancing, a person may suffer dehydration, followed by a breakdown in his body`s thermoregulatory abilities, which may lead to kidney failure. In addition to being life-threatening, it can lead to damaging long-term effects, panic attacks and suicide. |
| » Phenyethylamines and methoxyamphetamines |
| Also referred to as: "STP", "Serenity", "Tranquility" "100X", "Golden Eagle." |
| » Appearance: |
| White, crystalline powder or a solution on blotting paper printed with cartoon figures or on sugar cubes. It also appears as dark brown to black tablets stuck to paper with clear adhesive tape. |
| » Modes of use: |
| Oral |
| » Effect of Phenyethylamines and Methoxyamphetamines: |
| The same as experienced with amphetamines and methamphetamines listed above. These drugs are capable of inducing hallucinations up to 100 times stronger than MDA. Users sometimes experience extra-sensory perception in which they can "see" sounds in bright colors and "feel" music. |
| » Negative Side Effects |
- Acute panic reactions ("bad trips")
- "Flashbacks"
- Illusions of imaginary power (i.e. the ability to fly)
- Long-Term impairment of visual and spatial orientation
- Onset of psychoses
- Paranoid
- Ideas of invulnerability
- Schizophrenia
- Social withdrawal
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