Stay away from speed

“It’s no mystery that drug usage is surging among the inhabitants of this city. It’s on TV all the time. Nightly there are reports of people who have overdosed like River Phoenix, Kurt Cobain, Kristen Pfaff (of Hole)… the list goes on. But, what you probably don’t hear is the news about your friend or that girl in your chemistry class who was just trying to have “a little fun.”

The number of deaths is rising
There have been numerous drug-related deaths involving amphetamines, also known as “speed” and “ecstacy.” According to research done by the Public Statistics Institute in Irvine, amphetamine-related emergency admissions to hospitals in California (including Sacra-mento, San Bernadino and Central California counties) from 1984-1993 has risen 145 percent among teens, 17 and younger.
According to James K. Cunningham, the director of research at the Public Statistics Institute, there are many reasons why amphetamine usage has gone up.
“There are several factors,” Cunningham said. “For one thing, amphetamines like ‘speed’ produce euphoric effects that are longer than cocaine. It’s widely available and competitively priced. It’s questionable, but some feel that amphetamines are safer than cocaine. Some girls use it for weight loss too. They increase alertness and make you feel invincible. But, they catch up with you sooner or later.”
Numerous health problems can result from the use ofamphetamines. Nervous-ness, irritability, restlessness, paranoia and death can result from taking them.”

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