Appendix 5

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Appendix 5

Information on amphetamines and other synthetic drugs

Amphetamines[1]

Common name

Medical or chemical name

Other street names

Drug action

Form

Method of administration

Comments

SPEED

amphetamine sulphate, dexamphetamine

whizz, dexies

 

stimulant

tablet, capsule, liquid

orally, injected

Family of amphetamine drugs that have been synthesised from approximately the late 19th century. The term 'amphetamines' may also include MDMA. More commonly it refers to the specific drug amphetamine sulphate. More recently it may also refer to methamphetamines and prescription drugs such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

Methamphetamines

Common name 

Medical or chemical name

Other street names

Drug action

Form

Method of administration

Comments

METH

methamphetamine, methylamphetamine

speed, base

stimulant

powder, paste

intranasally, orally, injected, smoked

 

CRYSTAL METH

methamphetamine hydrochloride

crystal, ice, shabu, crank, glass, meth, D-meth, batu, shabu

stimulant

crystalline powder, crystals (ice)

intranasally, orally, injected, smoked

Ice is a strong, high-purity form of methamphetamine.

Phenethylamines

Common name

Medical or chemical name

Other street names

Drug action

Form

Method of administration

Comments

ECSTASY

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA

eccies, XTC, pills, eggs, Adam, M and M, go, scooby, snacks, hug, beans and many others

stimulant with hallucinogenic properties; sometimes known as a psychedelic amphetamine

tablet, pill, gel tab,  powder

intranasally, orally, injected, smoked

While 'ecstasy' is traditionally MDMA, analysis in recent years shows that MDMA is often adulterated or substituted with other substances, including PMA, methamphetamine, caffeine and paracetamol.

MDEA

3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine

Eve

stimulant

tablet

orally

 

MBDB

n-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanimine

eden

stimulant

tablet

orally

 

PMA

paramethoxyamphetamine

death, Dr Death, mitsubishi double

stimulant, hallucogenic

tablet, capsules, powder 

intranasally, orally, injected

Similar effects to MDMA.

 2CB

4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine

nexus, 2CB, bromo, TWOs

stimulant

tablet, powder, blotting paper

intranasally, orally

 

DOB

4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine

DOB, 4bromo-DMA, bromo

stimulant

tablet, blotting paper

orally

 

DOM

2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine

DOM, STP

stimulant

tablet, blotting paper

orally

 

4-MTA

4-methylthioamphetamine

flatliner, golden eagle

stimulant

tablet

orally

 

Other common synthetic drugs

Common name

Medical or chemical name

Other street names

Drug action

Form

Method of administration

Comments

KETAMINE

ketamine hydrochloride

K, special K

hallucinogenic, anaesthetic

tablet, pill, powder

intranasally, orally, injected,

Used primarily for veterinary anaesthesia. Difficult to synthesise.

GHB

gammahydroxybutyrate or gammabutyrolactone (GBL), an analogue of GHB 

liquid E, GBH, grievous bodily harm, blue nitro, fantasy, easy lay 

depressant, anaesthetic with sedative properties

liquid, bright blue liquid form called 'blue nitro'

orally, injected

Notoriously able to be used to spike liquids and drinks in order to render victim vulnerable to sexual assault.

 

Effects of amphetamines and MDMA

Amphetamines[2]

   
Effects

Common name

Medical or chemical name

Short term

Long term
Overdose

SPEED

amphetamine sulphate, dexamphetamine, methamphetamine, crystal, meth, rock

hyperactivity; increased blood pressure, breathing and pulse rates; anxiety; irritability; suspiciousness; panic attacks; threatening manner; increased energy; alertness; confidence; talkativeness; reduced appetite; inability to sleep; enlarged pupils

malnutrition, reduced resistance to infection, violent behaviour, emotional disturbances, periods of psychosis, tolerance

strokes, heart failure, seizures, death

MDMA

   
Effects

Common name

Medical or chemical name

Short term

Long term
Overdose

ECSTASY

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA

overheating and dehydration can cause muscle meltdown; excessive water consumption can cause a breakdown of cell structure, which can cause cells to swell, burst and die; feelings of wellbeing and exaggerated confidence; anxiety; jaw clenching; teeth grinding; poor concentration; insomnia; increased pulse rate and blood pressure; hot and cold flushes; sweating; nausea

depression, drowsiness, muscle aches, loss of appetite, insomnia, loss of concentration, irritability

Overdose usually results from the body overheating and becoming dehydrated, which can cause muscle meltdown and possible death from failure of major organs such as liver or kidneys. Excessive water consumption and retention may lead to the body's cells swelling, which can result in brain damage and death.

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