Headteachers call for mephedrone ban

Headteachers have said the government should seriously consider banning the legal drug mephedrone, which has been linked to the deaths of two teenagers.

Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, died on Monday after a night out in Scunthorpe. Police believe the drug contributed to their deaths.

Although the drug is illegal in other European countries including Norway, Germany and Finland, it can easily be bought on the internet, where it is sold as "plant food".

Mick Brooks, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, told the BBC: "This drug clearly has the same inherent dangers as any Class A drug and I think serious consideration should be given to banning it.

"The problem with that is that you then criminalise the people who take it, so we need to think very carefully about what we do, but act with some speed."

Three people are being questioned by police over the boys' deaths.

What is mephedrone?

Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a white or yellowish powder which is usually snorted, taken as a pill, or dissolved in liquid.

Also known as Meph, 4-MMC, MCAT, Meow and Bubbles, it is believed to be widely used by clubbers. A recent survey for dance magazine Mixmag found that one in three clubbers had taken the drug in the past month and 41.7% said they had tried it.

Effect

It acts as a stimulant and its effect is said to be like a cross between ecstasy and cocaine, both of which are illegal.

Side effects

Reported side effects include headaches, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, cold or blue fingers. These are anecdotal side effects reported by users, not clinical studies. Side effects may be different/more serious if used in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

As former drugs adviser Professor David Nutt succinctly pointed out: "(Mephedrone) has not been tested on humans, let alone animals."

Why is it on sale?

It's sold as "plant food" and "not for human consumption." Currently, it is legal to be in possession of the substance.

Will it be banned?

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs have been asked to look into the harmful effects of the drug. However, the sacking of its chairman, Professor David Nutt, may have slowed things down. A report is due this month.

This article was published on Wed 17 March 2010