Basics

Amphetamines is the name given to a group of synthetic stimulants which are chemically similar to adrenaline, the hormone used for 'fight or flight' emergencies.

There are three main types: amphetamine sulphate, more commonly known as "Speed"(also known by its trade name, Benzedrine); dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine or "Dexy's Midnight Runners"); and methamphetamine (Methedrine or "Meth"), the most potent of the three.

appearance

Of all street drugs, speed is the most variable in appearance, mainly because the pure product is so rare.

Most street amphetamines come in the form of a crystal powder or paste and are usually snorted or dabbed on the gums. It is usually a distinct color (brown, orange, reddish) mainly due to impurities and 'backroom' methods of synthesis.

Larger and purer crystals are sometimes available but these are usually primarily for cooking up and injecting.

And then there's the 'base', an off white / brown / pink gritty paste, usually much purer than powder (the texture makes it too difficult to mix with anything else).

Illegally manufactured speed pills do exist but are usually sold as (fake) Ecstasy rather than as speed.

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ice

Also known as 'crystal meth' or 'glass', ice is a smokeable freebase form of methamphetamine which originated from Hawaii and is now very common in America. Like crack-cocaine, it comes in larger crystals or rocks. When smoked, its effects are comparable to crack in intensity but are much longer lasting.

It is highly addictive.

purity

Speed is notoriously impure. The average one gram wrap is 10% amphetamine, 90% adulterant - anything from vitamin C powder, glucose powder, caffeine, flour and baby milk.