Frequently asked questions: Marijuana, Amphetamine, Ecstasy
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Marijuana
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What is marijuana?
Marijuana is an illegal drug that is made from the dried flowers and leaves of a plant called Cannabis sativa. Other names for marijuana include cannabis, grass, pot, dope, weed, mull, heads, hooch, bhang, yarndi, ganja or bud. Marijuana is usually smoked in cigarettes ('joints') or water pipes ('bongs'). Hashish (hash) and hash oil also come from the cannabis plant.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main chemical in marijuana that causes the 'high' feeling. The strength of the marijuana depends on the level of THC it contains.
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How does marijuana affect people?
The short-term effects of marijuana use may include:
- a feeling of well-being
- talking and laughing more than usual
- poor co-ordination
- tunnel vision
- coughing
- dry mouth
- sleepiness
- red or bloodshot eyes
- feeling hungry (the 'munchies')
- decreased inhibitions (doing or saying things you normally would not)
- difficulty concentrating
- confusion (not being able to think clearly)
- feeling anxious or paranoid (thinking that people
are out to get you)
- hallucinations after large doses.
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Marijuana use also affects the ability to perform complex tasks such as driving a
motor vehicle or operating machinery. It can
decrease inhibitions that may lead to engaging in risky behaviour such as unsafe sex and dangerous driving.
In large amounts marijuana use can result in confusion, restlessness, vomiting, hallucinations and panic attacks.
The long-term effects of using marijuana may include:
- dependence (both physical and psychological)
- decrease in concentration, memory and the ability to learn
- increased risk of respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and bronchitis
- lowered sex drive, lowered sperm count in males and irregular menstrual cycles in females.
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THC is stored in body fat and slowly released back into the bloodstream. It can be detected in the body up to a month or more after use, depending on how much was used and how often it is used.
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Are there other problems associated with marijuana use?
Other potential problems that could be linked to marijuana use may include:
- poor school performance
- poor performance at work
- increased likelihood of accidents
- problems concentrating
- difficulties with relationships (family and friends)
- problems with the law
- emotional disorders such as depression.
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Can someone become ‘addicted’ to marijuana?
People who use marijuana regularly over time may become dependent on it and have difficulty cutting down or quitting. Withdrawal symptoms may include headaches, nausea (feeling sick), feeling irritable, depression, feeling anxious, difficulty in sleeping and night sweats.
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Is marijuana smoking more harmful than tobacco smoking?
Marijuana smoke is very similar to tobacco smoke, however it contains even more of some of the cancer-causing agents than tobacco smoke. Marijuana smokers also tend to inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in the lungs longer, therefore increasing the risk of damage to the lungs.
If a marijuana smoker is also a tobacco smoker or mixes the tobacco with marijuana, the health effects are more damaging. Mixing marijuana with tobacco can result in the added problem of nicotine addiction.
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Is smoking marijuana through a 'bong' safe?
Latest research suggests that smoking marijuana through a 'bong' (water pipe) is a very harmful way of smoking marijuana. Sucking on the 'bong' forces the smoke deeper into the lungs. This exposes more of the lungs to tar and harmful toxins without increasing the effects. Plastic bottles when used as 'bongs' also give off harmful by-products.
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Is it dangerous to use marijuana at the same time as alcohol or other drugs?
Combining marijuana with other drugs can alter the effects, with unpredictable consequences. The effects of marijuana can be more harmful if mixed with alcohol or other drugs that slow down the brain, and this may increase the risk of accidents.
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Does the use of marijuana cause mental problems?
There are some people who have unpleasant experiences from using marijuana such as anxiety, panic, paranoia and hallucinations. Some people with a tendency to mental illness, such as schizophrenia, are believed to be more likely to experience a psychosis (lose contact with reality). Symptoms may be made worse for those who already have a serious mental illness.
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Amphetamine
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What is amphetamine?
Amphetamine, also commonly known as 'speed', refers to a whole family of synthetic drugs that are all chemically related and have very similar effects. Methamphetamine is the strongest form of amphetamine.
The amphetamine family of drugs belongs to the class of drugs known as stimulants. Stimulants increase central nervous system activity – speeding up the way the brain does things, including making breathing faster and keeping awake.
Amphetamine can come in many different forms but it is usually sold as a powder. It varies in colour from white to beige, orange and pink, and anywhere in between. It can also come in crystal form, tablets or even as a liquid.
Certain types of amphetamine can be legally prescribed by a doctor to treat specific conditions. In all other cases, possessing, using, making or selling amphetamines is against the law.
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What is in 'speed'?
'Speed' is usually produced in backyard laboratories. The quality of speed varies greatly. Some speed is only 5% pure amphetamine. The remaining 95% may include a range of substances such as glucose, bicarbonate of soda, ephedrine, vitamins or other chemicals.
Even though there is little evidence of deliberate use of dangerous chemicals, no one can presume that when they buy speed they are buying something safe.
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Are 'speed' and 'ice' the same thing?
Recently in Australia there has been an increase in the availability of a particular type of methamphetamine. Some people call this 'ice'. Not much is known about ice because, although it's been around for a while, it's only recently that more people have started to use it. Ice is normally considered to be a high purity methamphetamine that comes in the form of a crystal. It may also be called other names such as 'shabu', 'crystal meth', 'crystal', 'meth' and 'glass'. Speed and ice are similar drugs and have similar effects as they are from the same amphetamine family. However, ice may have more powerful effects because of its higher purity.
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How does speed affect people?
The short-term effects of using speed may include:
- a feeling of well-being
- increased energy and hyperactivity
- talkativeness
- reduction of appetite
- teeth grinding
- dry mouth
- increased body temperature
- nausea
- sweating
- inability to sleep.
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What is 'speed psychosis'?
One of the greatest problems experienced by speed users is amphetamine-induced psychosis or 'speed psychosis'. This can happen when a lot of speed is used over a long period of time or even on rare occasions when a small amount is used irregularly. By using 'ice' the chance of developing speed psychosis is far greater due to the drug being more powerful.
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Some of the symptoms may include:
- hallucinations (hearing voices and seeing things that aren't there)
- paranoia (e.g. feelings of being followed, feeling like people are plotting against you)
- uncontrolled violent behaviour.
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These symptoms usually disappear a few days or weeks after drug use is stopped.
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Can someone become 'addicted' to speed?
People can become addicted or dependent on speed. Many more people are now seeking treatment for their speed use. Once speed is used regularly a tolerance to the drug can be built up. This means that more and more of the drug is needed to get the same effect.
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Isn't speed in ADHD drugs?
One form of amphetamine is called dexamphetamine. This drug can be used to treat a condition called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug helps people with ADHD to 'slow down' and to focus more effectively on activities. Dexamphetamine is prescribed by doctors and can only be legally used by the person for whom the drug is prescribed.
Dexamphetamine is not the only drug that is used to treat ADHD. Another stimulant, Ritalin, can also be used, although this drug is not in the amphetamine family.
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Is it dangerous to use speed at the same time as alcohol or other drugs?
Combining speed with other drugs can alter the effects, with unpredictable consequences.
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Ecstasy
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What is ecstasy?
Ecstasy is an illegal drug that is synthetically manufactured. 'True' ecstasy is a substance known as 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine or MDMA. Ecstasy comes as tablets or 'pills'. These come in a range of colours and designs. Ecstasy can also come as capsules or powder. Sometimes ecstasy tablets are stamped with well-known names e.g. fashion designers, cartoon characters.
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What is in ecstasy?
Ecstasy is often made in backyard laboratories and not subject to any 'quality control'. As a result many of the pills sold as ecstasy do not contain any MDMA at all. Because the ingredients of ecstasy are often hard to get, the manufacturers may substitute a wide range of substances when making the drug.
Most often tablets sold as ecstasy contain a substance called methamphetamine, which is a strong form of another drug called 'speed'. This can sometimes be mixed with other substances like ketamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, caffeine, glucose, bicarbonate of soda or other household substances or chemicals. Small amounts of cocaine, LSD or heroin might be in some pills, but this is very rare.
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Short-term effects
The short-term effects of using ecstasy may include:
- euphoria and a feeling of well-being
- feelings of increased closeness with others
- increased self-confidence
- lack of inhibitions
- tongue and cheek chewing
- teeth grinding
- dry mouth
- increased body temperature
- sweating
- nausea and anxiety
- inability to sleep.
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After the ecstasy wears off the user may feel depressed, anxious and tired.
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Long-term effects
Little is known about the long-term effects of ecstasy. However, it is believed that some health problems may result from long-term use, including:
- memory and learning problems
- depression.
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Do some people die after taking ecstasy?
People have died after taking ecstasy. The majority of ecstasy-related deaths have not been caused from 'poisoning' by the drug, but by a combination of using the drug and the circumstances in which it was used e.g. using it in a hot, crowded place which may result in death by overheating or dehydration.
A few people have also died from drinking too much water after taking ecstasy. When too much water is drunk the levels of salt and other minerals in the blood are diluted so much that it causes the brain to swell, which could lead to a coma or maybe death.
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Can someone become 'addicted' to ecstasy?
Ecstasy is not physically addictive like some other drugs such as tobacco, alcohol or heroin. However, some people do find that they are unable to control their use and have problems going without ecstasy – we call this 'psychological addiction'.
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Laws regarding marijuana, amphetamine and ecstasy
Marijuana, ecstasy and amphetamines are illegal drugs. However, doctors may prescribe medication containing amphetamines to treat certain medical conditions.
In all other cases in NSW it is against the law to:
- possess marijuana, amphetamines and ecstasy
- use marijuana, amphetamines and ecstasy
- supply (or sell) marijuana, amphetamines and ecstasy
- cultivate (grow) cannabis plants
- manufacture amphetamines or ecstasy.
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Having equipment for using marijuana such as 'bongs' and 'water pipes' is also against the law.
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Young Offenders Act
Police have the option to divert young people aged 10 years and less than 18 years from going to court if they are caught with up to 15 grams of cannabis leaf, 5 cannabis plants, up to 1 gram of amphetamine or 0.25 grams of ecstasy under the Young Offenders Act.
These matters can be dealt with by way of a:
- formal warning (whether or not the young person admits the offence)
- caution (formal procedure often at a police station in the presence of a responsible person such as a parent where the young person is under 16 or an adult chosen by the young person if they are 16 or over)
- youth justice conference (a forum where related issues are discussed with the young person, parent/ caregiver, other family members, police, health professionals or social workers, and others).
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To receive a caution or be referred to a conference, the young person must admit to the offence and consent to the caution or conference. The option that police take will depend on the young person, prior offences and the seriousness of the drug offence. Police will be inclined to charge a young person for more serious drug offences e.g. sell or supply drugs, cultivate cannabis plants.
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Cannabis Cautioning Scheme
The Cannabis Cautioning Scheme aims to give police an alternative to charging adult offenders apprehended for minor cannabis offences (and thus getting a criminal record). It applies to people over 18 years of age who are caught with up to 15 grams of cannabis leaf for personal use or with equipment for the administration of cannabis. The caution notice issued contains legal and health information on cannabis use. A person can only receive two cautions under this scheme, with a mandatory education session being a condition of the second caution. The Scheme is being trialled until 2003.
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Driving under the influence of drugs
It is illegal and dangerous to drive a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of drugs, including illicit drugs. It is also dangerous to be a passenger when the driver is affected by alcohol or other drugs.
The law relating to Driving Under the Influence applies not only to alcohol but also to other drug use including cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy. Police can have a driver tested at a hospital for the presence of drugs in their blood or urine. They have the power to detain drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Penalties may include loss of licence, a fine or going to prison.
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Where to get help or information at school
There are people within the school who can offer advice and support, such
as the:
- school counsellor
- principal
- year adviser
- teachers
- community liaison officer and
Aboriginal education assistant.
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Where to get further information
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
Telephone: 02 9361 8000 Toll free: 1800 422 599
- Kids Help Line
Toll free telephone: 1800 55 1800
- LawAccess NSW
Telephone: 1300 888 529
- Legal Aid Helpline for under 18s
Toll free telephone: 1800 101 810
- Aboriginal Legal Service
Telephone: 02 9318 2122
- NSW Office of Drug Policy
www.druginfo.nsw.gov.au
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Where to get help
In case of emergency involving the use of any drug, ring 000 for an ambulance, or call a hospital or doctor.
This publication is intended as a guide ofr students and staff of the NSW Department of Education and Training to assist them in understanding issues regarding marijuana, amphetamine and ecstacy. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Persons wishing formal legal advice on matters referred to in this publication should consult their solicitors.
© 2002 NSW Department of Education and Training
Student Services and Equity Programs
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