It pays to prepare for a speed (amphetamine) session in advance. Once under the influence of amphetamines, it can be tricky remembering or planning for common sense things that will ensure a safe time for all. Organise everything as much as possible in advance!

Alternatives to injecting speed

Snorting, smoking or shafting amphetamines will always be safer ways to get speed into you. But if you are injecting, get down to your local needle and syringe outlet (if they exist in your area) and make sure you have more fits, waters, swabs and sharps containers than you’ll think you need.

Ensure everyone has their own clean preparation space and will not need to share any equipment, including tourniquets. Even if no sex is planned, have condoms and lube handy. You never know what the night (or day) might bring. The key is being prepared!

Money management

Make sure you have enough money set aside to get you through to the next payday or cheque. Once on the go, it’s way too easy to change your mind and spend the rest to prolong the binge. Leave the money somewhere hard to access, or with a friend who won’t be part of the binge.

Look after your mates when on speed

It can be hard to keep an eye on each other once it is all happening. But be on the lookout for anyone who has overdone it and may be feeling paranoid or delusional. Get them to a quiet spot, stay with them and assure them everything is okay. If things are looking seriously bad, call the ambulance. Remember they don’t call the cops (unless they feel they need protection!) so play it safe.
Signs of an overdose include muscle spasms, fits, irregular heart beat, high blood pressure and high temperature. Getting the ambulance out is important as there is always the chance of burst blood vessels in the brain, heart attack or stroke, and sometimes death.

Coming down from speed

Everyone faces the come down in their own fashion, and experience will dictate what works best for you. Make sure you’ve got what you need for this in advance. If everyone is still together for the come down, this can help if everyone is looking out for each other, particularly if someone is doing it rough.

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