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What is the difference between ice and speed?

Do you know the facts about these two drugs?

Ice and speed are both different forms of a drug called methamphetamine Ice crystalline methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a stimulant, one of the amphetamine group of drugs manufactured from readily available chemicals. 

Methamphetamine is available in three different forms commonly known as speed, base and ice but they differ in their purity. Ice is about 80% pure, whereas speed is typically around 10-20% pure. 

Speed usually comes in the form of white or yellow powder, but can also be bought as pills. People either sniff it through the nose (snort it), inject it or swallow it in tablet or capsule form. 

Ice is the purest form of methamphetamine available in Australia. It usually looks like colourless to white crystals or a coarse crystal-like powder, but it can also appear in other colours. Ice is also called crystal, crystal meth, meth or shabu. Ice is usually smoked or injected.

For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs 24 hours, 7 days a week, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline: 1800 250 015.

Find out more on the Ice, speed and methampethamines page or download a factsheet from NSW Health.