Session 3 Effects of ATS Use Preventing Amphetamine-Type-Stimulant (ATS) Use Among Young People A UNODC Training Workshop

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop Challenges in researching the effects of ATS  ATS often contain other substances.  ATS users use other substances concurrently.  The lifestyle associated with use may contribute to some of the effects, not just the drug alone.

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop Immediate and short term effects of meth/amphetamine  Sought after effects are similar to that of cocaine, but cheaper and longer lasting.  Methamphetamine is more quickly and fully absorbed by the brain than amphetamine, therefore the effects are stronger.  Short term negative effects: State of agitation that can lead to violence; Inability to sleep, hallucinations; Weight loss (women might see it as a desirable effect); Paranoia and aggression.  Overdose can happen but is rare.

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop Effects of longer term meth/amphetamine use (1)  High potential for addiction and dependence, especially methamphetamine.  Amphetamine psychosis: Violent tendencies usually linked to psychotic episodes; Violence, accidental or otherwise, is the leading cause of amphetamine related deaths; Usually ends on stopping use.  Malnourishment.

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop Effects of longer term meth/amphetamine use (2)  Depression, cognitive and memory problems: Abstract thought, verbal competency, ability to learn and retain new information.  Sexual dysfunction: Rough sex > risk of bleeding and STIs; Inability to achieve or maintain erection.  High rates of HIV among injecting users: Because of needle sharing, increased no. of partners, increased no. of unprotected sex.  Physical damage: Dental erosion, skin lesions Damage to heart, lungs and brain.

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop Short term effects of ecstasy use  Sought after effects reported by users are positive changes in feelings, enhanced communication, empathy, pleasure in touching.  However, especially in higher doses, use can produce distortion in perception, thinking and memory.  Serotonine syndrome can result in extreme rise in body temperature, as serotonin regulates temperature.  Some individual appear to have particular vulnerability to toxic effects of ecstasy.

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop Effects of longer term ecstasy use  Hangover characterised by depression, fatigue, dehydration and difficulties in concentrating.  Weight loss, kidney & liver damage.  Impairment in short term memory: Not clear if it reverses stopping use or not.  Depression, panic attacks, paranoia.  Dependence: A proportion of heavy ecstasy users show evidence of dependence according to diagnostic criteria.

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop Effects of methyphenidate use  Higher doses and chronic use result in effects similar to those of meth/amphetamine

Preventing ATS use among youth A UNODC Training Workshop The drug, the person and the context  The effects and the level of risk that a person is taking depends on three aspects of the situation that will vary with each occasion: The substance  What is it? In which dose is it taken? How? Are other substances being taken concurrently? The person  The physical and mental condition of the person taking the substance, his/her expectations and past experiences. The context  Physical and social setting in which the substance is taken, including interpersonal atmosphere and group expectations.