Amphet Facts

How Many People Use Amphetamines

The 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey reported that 12% of Western Australians aged 14 years and over had ever used amphetamines (for non-medical purposes). Overall, 4% of Western Australians aged 14 years and over had used amphetamines in the last year and 2% had used amphetamines in the last four weeks. Amphetamine use was highest among 20- to 29-year-olds. In total, 30% of 20- to 29- year-olds had ever used amphetamines, 15% had used amphetamines in the last year and 7% had used amphetamines in the last four weeks.

Health Effects of Using Amphetamines

The effects of amphetamines will vary from person to person depending on characteristics of the:

• Individual (user) – Mood, physical size, health, gender, previous experience with amphetamines, expectations of the drug, personality, whether the person has had food and whether other drugs have been taken.

• Drug – The amount used, its purity, and whether it is smoked, swallowed, snorted or injected.

• Setting (environment) – Whether the person is using with friends, on his/her own, in a social setting or at home, at work or before driving.

Short-Term Effects

Short-Term Effects of Higher Doses

Long-Term Effects