Mephedrone

The Party is Over

Mephedrone has many names, including Meow Meow, 4MMC, M-CAT, Meow, drone, bubbles and SUPER NINJA SHURIKEN POWDER. (For any NOTW journalists reading, we made that last one up.)
In 2009 it became the fourth most popular drug in the UK, behind marijuana, cocaine and ecstacy. Many people in our office have used it and reported nothing more than a "good night out", a "sleepless come down" and "minor face-chewing resulting in jaw-ache and gurny embarrassment in the presence of non-users".
It wasn’t until widespread tabloid coverage that the government rushed through a re-classification of the substance.
According to The Sun newspaper, one excessive Mephedrone user tore off his scrotum during a particlularly unpleasant come down.
TheSun.co.uk, 26 Nov 2009, said: “The Durham Police report states: "A large number of contributors state how addictive mephedrone is and they are constantly topping up as one individual states that after using it for 18 hours his hallucinations led him to believe that centipedes were crawling over him and biting him.
"This led him to receive hospital treatment after he ripped his scrotum off."
In March the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs attributed at least 18 deaths in England where cathinones - the group of drugs which mephedrone falls into - have been implicated.
However, importantly, the legal high has not been DEFINITIVELY ESTABLISHED AS A CAUSE OF DEATH.

RECLASSIFICATION


Prior to today’s classification of mephedrone to Class B, it had been the latest in the long line of ‘legal highs’ sold primarily on the internet as ‘plant fertiliser’ or ‘bath salts’, and labelled as ‘not for human consumption’ in order to get around very strict medical regulations.
It’s a synthetic stimulant based on the catinone compounds found in the Khat plant of Eastern Africa. It can come in the form of capsules, tablets or white powder that can be snorted, swallowed or injected.
The intended effects include alertness, euphoria, excitement, a feeling of stimulation, an urge to talk and openness. Users have compared their experience of mephedrone to being similar to, although not at the same time, speed, ecstacy and cocaine, although the highs last for a significantly shorter amount of time.
Side effects of mephedrone can be any of the following: nose bleeds, nose burns, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, blood circulation problems, rashes, anxiety, paranoia, fits and delusions. Crew2000, the drugs support agency, also note the following side effects: poor concentration, poor short-term memory, increased heart rate, abnormal heart beats, anxiety, depression, increased sweating, dilated pupils, the inability to normally open the mouth, and teeth grinding/gurning. Which we can certainly vouch for.
Currently, the long term effects are unknown due to the drug's short history. BBC News recently reported on one person that had used the drug over an 18-month period, by the end of this time using it twice a week, who had to be admitted to a psychiatric unit after he started experiencing hallucinations, agitation, excitability and general mania.
John Mann, professor of chemistry at Queen’s University in Belfast, has stated that because of its similarity to cathinone, mephedrone is likely to cause impotence with long-term use.


THE FUTURE OF MEPHEDRONE

The drug has now officially been reclassified as a Class B substance alongside amphetamines and cannabis. Possession of a Class B drug can bring you up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. If you’re caught dealing a Class B drug, then you can expect up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. If you’ve already purchased mephedrone online and are wondering what might happen if the police get your details, the answer in short is "not very much", if anything. Just be aware of the risks if you do it again.
Professor David Nutt, the only man who brings calm to the panicked parents of all these MANIC, DRUGGED-UP CHILDREN, has publicly stated he feels it a good idea for people to avoid mephedrone until more is known about it.

OFFICIAL COMMENT

We received this email on request from the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) on 14 April 2010, and it reads in marked contrast to the penalties listed on the Home Office’s website. It would appear that officers actually policing the drugs on the streets will exercise integrity and reason if confronted with a small-time mephedrone user rather than chucking said abuser into the back of a wagon and administering swift custodial sentencing.
DCC Simon Byrne said:
 “ACPO is to re-issue its Guidance on New Psychoactive Substances to forces following the recent classification of mephedrone and other cathinones as Class B drugs. The classification comes into effect on Friday [16/4/2010]. 

“ACPO maintains its position that forces should concentrate their efforts on those people who sell and traffic this drug. We have no intention of criminalising young people who may be in possession of this drug. However, that does not mean that anyone caught with this drug in their possession for their own use will be ignored by police. They do, of course, still run the risk of being arrested and prosecuted. This will be dealt with at a local level by forces.

“Police have an important role to play in reducing the harm of drugs within the community but we do not stand alone. Other agencies need to provide support in tackling this problem and young people themselves have responsibility for the choices they make when out enjoying themselves.”

So there. Let’s see how it all pans out shall we?