What it is

Methamphetamine is one of a family of drugs called amphetamines, which act as central nervous system stimulants. They speed up the messages to and from the brain – earning them the street name ‘speed’. The pharmaceutical name for amphetamine is Dexamphetamine, which is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, and is an ingredient in some diet pills.

Methamphetamine is one of the most common forms of illicit amphetamines in New Zealand. It is powerful and highly addictive.

In New Zealand it is frequently called 'P', short for 'pure'. However there is no way to ensure the purity of methamphetamine.

In New Zealand methamphetamine is most commonly available in two forms:

• Crystal methamphetamine: This is the most potent form of methamphetamine and it is often called ‘ice’ due to its crystal like appearance. It is usually colourless, and the crystals can range in size from granules to shards resembling shattered glass. This form of methamphetamine is usually smoked which results in rapid absorption and almost immediate and intense effects.
• Methamphetamine powder: This is finer in appearance than crystal methamphetamine. It can vary in colour from white to brown, orange, or purple.  Methamphetamine powder can often be ‘cut’ or mixed with other substances to give the appearance of a larger quantities. Common things added include glucose, sugar, bi-carbonated soda, and caffeine. Methamphetamine powder is water soluble, so it can be used intravenously, taken orally, or ‘snorted’.

Methamphetamine is often manufactured illegally here in New Zealand. ‘Clan’ (short for clandestine) labs are set up in houses, vehicles, and garages where ‘cooks’ synthesise methamphetamine from over-the-counter cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is less easy to access in New Zealand now, so much of the methamphetamine precursors used in manufacture today are illegally imported from overseas. Importation of methamphetamine (as a finished product) is also reportedly on the rise.

Many of the chemicals used to synthesise methamphetamine are highly corrosive and dangerous. Police estimate that producing one kilogram of methamphetamine creates seven kilograms of toxic by-product. Houses where methamphetamine has been produced must be extensively cleaned and detoxified.

Slang

Speed, P, Pure, Crystal Meth, Ice, Base, Crank, Whiz, Ya Ba, Shabu, Rock, Crack