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Mephedrone,
( known as Meph / Meow Meow / MMC / Bubbles / Bounce / MCAT / White Magic)
used to be legal to buy in the UK over the internet.
Following the deaths of several teenagers who had been taking the drug, mephedrone (and related cathinone substances) has now been classified as a Class B drug. This means it is illegal to sell, buy or possess. Importing mephedrone into the UK has also been banned.
What
this means
If
you are found by the police with mephedrone, you will be arrested and
could face up to 5 years in prison or an unlimited fine. If this happens
you could spend up to 24 hours at the police station in a cell and if
you're under 18 your parents will be called.
Selling mephedrone or even passing a bit to your friend for free is
classed as dealing and you could face up to 14 years in prison or an
unlimited fine. This would mean a criminal record which will stop you
doing a lot of things later in life.
Health
Info
Likely dangers associated with mephedrone are becoming clearer as more reports emerge..
- Mephedrone can overstimulate the heart and effects on the circulation probably account for reports by users of blue or cold fingers.
- It can overstimulate the nervous system to cause fits, agitation and hallucinations.
- It can also cause anxiety and paranoid feelings.
- Severe nosebleeds have been reported after snorting.
- Other effects that have been reported include palpitations, insomnia, loss of short-term memory, vertigo, grinding of teeth, sweating and uncomfortable changes in body temperature (importantly overheating from the use of other amphetamine-type drugs has been a significant cause of deaths).
- Mephedrone has been identified as a possible contributor to a number of deaths in the UK, with a confirmed case in Sweden.
- You increase the risks to yourself if you combine alcohol with mephedrone or any substance that causes a ‘high’, including increasing the risk of death.
more
info?
If
you would like to talk to someone about drugs, alcohol, smoking or mental
health you can contact the following:
FRANK
- free confidential advice on drugs - all your questions answered. 24 hours a day,
freephone: 0800 77 66 00 or visit www.talktofrank.com
DIG IT - more information on drugs, alcohol, crime and addiction. You
might have seen the DIG IT group at your school or college. Visit www.dig-it.org.uk
Drinkline
- a national alcohol helpline offering information and advice to those
with alcohol related problems Tuesday to Thursday 9am to 11pm and 9am
Friday to 11pm Monday 0800 917 8282
NHS
Smoking Helpline - source of help and advice on smoking and giving up
lines open daily 7am to 11pm 0800 169 0 169
QUIT
- charity offering advice to help smokers to stop 9am to 9pm 7 days a
week 0800 00 22 00 www.quit.org.uk
Rethink
- for advice about mental health or mental illness opening times 10am to
3pm Monday to Friday 0845 456 0455 www.rethink.org/at-ease
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