Amphetamines

What are Amphetamines?
Amphetamines are stimulants that speed up the body’s system. Some are legally prescribed and used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Street Title
Bennies, Black Beauties, Crank, Ice, Speed, Uppers.

How are they abused?
Amphetamines are generally taken orally or injected. However, the addition of “ice,” the slang name of crystallized methamphetamine hydrochloride, has promoted smoking as another mode of administration. Just as “crack” is smokable cocaine,“ice” is smokable methamphetamine.

What is their effect on the body?
Similar to cocaine, but slower onset and longer duration. Increased body temperature, blood pressure and pulse rates, insomnia, loss of appetite, physical exhaustion. Chronic abuse produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia: paranoia, hallucinations, violent and erratic behavior.

What are their overdose effects?
Agitation, increased body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, and possible death.

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