How can I help if someone gets sick from crystal methamphetamine?

You can never be sure how crystal (‘ice’) will affect someone. It is an illegal drug and there is no control over how it is made. It is often mixed with other drugs or substances before being sold. Some people may experience serious effects such as dehydration (loss of water from your body), seizures and Below are some tips about how you can help someone who is experiencing these. It is important to call for an ambulance immediately (000) if there is any risk that someone is getting sick from ice or any other drug.

Panic Attacks

Ice use can cause feelings (distrust, suspicion), symptoms of (worry, concern) and (unsure of what is real), which may escalate into a

What a may look like:

Shaking and sweating
Increased heart rate
Chest pains and problems breathing
Dizziness, headaches, and light-headedness
Fear that the may lead to death
Won’t respond and is ‘spaced out’

What to do:

Take them somewhere cool and quiet away from bright lights and crowds. Tell them that the feeling will pass and try to keep them calm. Tell them to take long, deep breaths to help them relax. If they pass out, call for help immediately, and follow the DRSABCD life support steps.

Overheating & Dehydration

Ice use can increase body temperature, especially when taken with alcohol.

What it may look like:

Feeling hot, tired, unwell, faint, or dizzy
Headaches
Vomiting
Not able to talk properly
Not sweating even when dancing
Not able to urinate or urine becoming thick and dark
Fainting, collapsing, or convulsing.

What to do:

It is important to call for an ambulance immediately (000) if there is any risk that someone is experiencing these symptoms when using ice or any other drugs.

Make sure someone stays with them
Get the person cold water to sip on
Fan them to cool them down

Feeling very tired

If someone becomes very drowsy as a result of using ice they could fall asleep and lose consciousness (won't wake up).

What to do:

Call an ambulance (000), but make sure they are not left on their own
Keep them awake while waiting for the ambulance - make them walk around or make them talk to you.
If they aren’t responsive or lose consciousness put them in the recovery position .
Don’t give them tea or coffee or try to shock them.