This booklet has been produced to inform young people who have taken or may be thinking about taking Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) of the risks involved. In producing this booklet, we widely researched the subject. Much of the information came from an invaluable source of information; people who have used these substances and experienced the highs and the lows involved with ATS use.

Every weekend, Australia wide, thousands of young people attend house parties, night clubs, gigs, raves/doofs and a number of other entertainment venues. For some, this means taking drugs and becoming involved in a range of risky behaviours which include:

• Poly drug use - Mixing more than one substance with another can be very dangerous for a number of reasons including overdose.
• Unsafe sex - Can lead to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), pregnancy, and sexual assault and loss of dignity.
• Driving while under the influence of drugs - Many people on stimulants feel over confident and invincible and think they can achieve anything, however their reaction time is impaired.
• Become violent or be a victim of violence - ATS use can lead to aggression and you can easily be taken advantage of when intoxicated.
• Doing something you may regret - This can relate to problems such as robbery, violence or assault, trouble with the law, and unwanted sexual activity or regrettable sex.
• Other safety and health issues - Injury while intoxicated, or suffering long term health damage.

Taking risks while intoxicated can be stimulating and fun. However, it is important to keep in mind that you could be easily putting yourself and others at risk. This booklet will help people understand ATS, the risks and the findings from people who have used them.

	1. What are Amphetamine Type Stimulants? What are Amphetamine Type Stimulants and why people use them.		2. Meth & Drug Labs Where methamphetamine and other stimulants are cooked, pressed and cut.
	3. Different Forms of ATS in Australia Details on the specific forms of Amphetamine Type Stimulants found in Australia, including methamphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine.		4. Tolerance And Dependence How repeated use of Amphetamine Type Stimulants can lead to a dependence on the substance.
	5. ATS Overdose How to identify and respond to an Amphetamine Type Stimulant overdose.		6. Focus Group Findings The findings of the focus group held by DIRECTIONS ACT on Amphetamine Type Stimulants.
	7. Mental Health Amphetamines and their impact on your mental health.		8. Poly Drug Use Amphetamine Type Stimulants and their effect when used with one or more other substances.
	9. Safer Sex Safer sex and Amphetamine Type Stimulants.		10. Where to Go for Help Details on where to get help for people affected by Amphetamine Type Stimulant.
	11. Contacts & Acknowledgments Phone numbers and website links to ATS-relevant organizations.		12. Download ATS Booklet Download this information on Amphetamine Type Stimulants in PDF form (for printing etc.).

Fact Sheets