User:Dooters2711/Speed (drug)

Speed, a street name for a wide chemical spectrum of the methamphetamine family. Street names also include meth and chalk. The effects on the central nervous system are stronger than with amphetamines.

History
For a long time, these substances were used as medication for losing weight, cold, asthma, migraine, epilepsy... It's role in The Second World War was especially interesting, when they were given out to soldiers of British, American, Japanese and German armies. In the American army they used it during the Korean and Vietnamese wars. It is well-known that Hitler was on speed; he would even take several doses a day during 1942. With the restrictions put in place, the legal distribution was over. Today, on the black market it appears in mostly two solutions, as amphetamine (powder of amphetamine-sulfate) and as methamphetamine (powder of methamphetamine-chloride - named; crank). Average packages are usually see-through bags containing the powder or with crystals. It is sold in the form of tablets, greasy hardened paste and capsules. The purity of the powder ranges from 6% to 10%. Crystals (methamphetamine), similar to ice, they cause a stronger reaction and have a longer duration (up to 30 hours). Speed isn't that common or widespread as ecstacy. Speed found on streets is usually dissolved, mixed with sodium hydrogen carbonate (baking soda) or with sugar to have more volume and weight. Speed is usually in a powdered form (it's similar to cocaine) - it's white and has crumbs that are crumbled before use. One gram of speed is enough for a whole night (per person). The problem for the consumer is that speed has to be taken on multiple occasions if it has a weaker effect, so it isn't convenient for use in clubs, because the consumer has to take it with them and has a risk of being caught, unlike the "candy" that is swallowed and thus it's easier to hide it. Detection in urine with amphetamine is possible from 8 to 24 hours after use, and with methamphetamine it is detectable from 2 to 3 days after use. It is commonly snorted, but it can be consumed with food and drinks (then the effects are weaker and they appear later). It is less common for it to be taken in with smoking. Injection is possible and it is the most expedient way to achieve comfort. Injection is the most dangerous, especially from the risk of overdosing and infection and disease caused by the needle being used. The effect takes place after 15 to 30 minutes. The duration is various (it can range from 12 hours, but it can go up to 30 hours) and it is dependent in the purity and the added substances, but it also may depend on the characteristics of the consumer.

Symptoms
Common symptoms are increased activity, aggressiveness, dried out mouth, high pressure, enlarging pupil and the possibility of puking.

Aftermaths of Consumption
The aftermath of consumption are major damage to kidneys and lungs, ulcers, decreased immunity, heart problems, insomnia and brain damage.

Students at most US universities receive materials on the harmfulness of speed, which state that amphetamines and methamphetamines cause rapid heart rate and rapid breathing, high blood pressure, insomnia and loss of appetite, sweating, headache, blurred vision, dizziness and anxiety may occur. permanent damage to the kidneys and respiratory system, and prolonged intake of large doses can lead to psychosis, which includes hallucinations, delusions and paranoia, and deaths are possible.

Signs of consumption
Signs of use are bottles of tablets of various colors and brown to white powder in small plastic bags.