Key facts

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Ice, or crystal methamphetamine, is a type of It is a drug and synthetic which means it is not a natural product. It typically comes in three different forms (ice, base and speed) that vary in their strength and the way they look.

The effects of ice differ slightly from speed and base because it is often stronger and gives a longer lasting ‘high. Because of this, it also has more serious side effects, both during use and in the 'comedown' or ‘crashafter use. Ice has a greater potential for people to become on using it, which can create long-term physical and mental health problems.

 Ice is usually sold in points (which means 0.1 of a gram) or grams, and can be cut (mixed) with other substances. This reduces its and makes the effects even harder to predict.

  • Key Sources

    Alcohol & Drug Foundation. (2016). Amphetamines. Melbourne: State Government Victoria. 

    McKetin, R., & Black, E. (2014). Methamphetamine: What you need to know about speed, ice, crystal, base and meth. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales.

Page last reviewed: Friday, 2 July 2021

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