Mephedrone
Mephedrone is a synthetic stimulant, a cathinones, which are similar to amphetamines. Mephedrone is also known as: 4-MMC, Bounce, Bubble, Charge, Drone, M-Cat, MC, Meow Meow, Meph, Miaow, White Magic. [1] Mephedrone became a class B drug in April 2010 along with all cathinones. The Lancet reported that it was the first generic ban of a group of cathinones based on their chemical structure. [2] The Lancet were also vocal in their criticism of the ban as the evidence on methedrone is sparse. The Lancet claimed that the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs who advised the government on the ban had been rushed and politics had been allowed to "contaminate" science. [3] Nevertheless a ban was pursued by the then Home Secretary Alan Johnson
According to a report in The Guardian in January 2010:
- Growing numbers of teenagers and young people are receiving emergency medical treatment after being harmed by a legal drug that has the same effects as ecstasy and cocaine. Users of mephedrone are ending up with nose bleeds and burns, paranoia, heart palpitations, insomnia and memory problems. Some have had such a strong reaction to it that their hearts have stopped and they have had to be resuscitated. The drug – also known as "drone", "bubble" or "meow meow" – is causing concern to NHS staff, drug workers and the police, who are powerless to control it because it is legal. It comes in powder, tablet, crystal or liquid form and is marketed as plant food or bath salts, often via the internet[4].
Resources
- Denis Campbell, Fears grow over safety of 'legal high' mephedrone, The Guardian, 17-January-2010
Notes
- ↑ FRANK Mephedrone accessed 12th June 2012
- ↑ Kelly Morris, 17th April 2010, UK places generic ban on mephedrone drug family The Lancet, The Lancet, Volume 375, Issue 9723, Pages 1333 - 1334, accessed 12th June 2012
- ↑ BBC News 16th April 2012 Mephedrone ban comes into force in UK accessed 12th June 2012
- ↑ Denis Campbell, Fears grow over safety of 'legal high' mephedrone, The Guardian, 17-January-2010
