Drug linked to deaths is a 'growing threat'
CALLS have been made for the Government to ban the legal drug mephedrone "immediately" after the death of two Scunthorpe teenagers, and reports of "increasing use of the drug in Northern Ireland".
Last night there were reports that a young man from north Belfast had died in recent weeks after taking a cocktail of drugs, including mephedrone, and a 12-year-old boy had to receive medical treatment after taking the drug in Lurgan.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and DUP MP Nigel Dodds called for the ban following the deaths of Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, who are thought to have taken the drug. The pair died on Monday and four people have been arrested.
The North Belfast MP said he was contacted yesterday by a number of people in his constituency, including pastors and community workers, "who are concerned about the increasing use by young people of the drug mephedrone in the area".
North Belfast pastor, Brian Madden, said that a few weeks ago a young man in his area died after taking "a cocktail of drugs including mephedrone". He said: "There is an increasing use of the drug on the streets."
Last night the Lurgan Mail reported that a 12-year-old boy in Lurgan had been found to have taken the drug.
The youngster's father, who did not want to be named, said: "There are children, some as young as 10, being offered these drugs. They can get them from shops in the area and there are people selling them on the street."
Mr McGimpsey said that this issue can only be addressed at a UK level and welcomed reports of plans to review the legality of the drug.
"These tragic deaths underline the need for urgent action to be taken to ensure this does not happen again," he said.
"Young people in particular must be made aware that there are always risks associated with the use of any stimulant substances such as mephedrone.
"Mephedrone can cause anxiety and paranoia, heart palpitations and fits or seizures. If snorted, it can lead to severe nosebleeds. Like many substances regular use can lead to the development of a compulsive habit."
Mr Dodds said he has raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Health in Whitehall.
"I have tabled a number of Parliamentary questions and I have also sought information on whether the Home Office will include a question on mephedrone use in the British Crime Survey and an assurance has been given that a question will be added from April 2010," said Mr Dodds.
"I will continue to press the Government for consideration of substances like mephedrone to be at the very top of their priorities and I believe that it needs to be tackled forthwith."
Last night it emerged that the Government's drugs advisers could recommend a ban on mephedrone within weeks.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is likely to issue a report into a group of legal highs, including mephedrone, at the end of this month.
Earlier Tony and Elaine Smith said they believed their son would not have taken mephedrone if it was illegal.
Mr Smith said he thought his son had been unaware of the dangers of mephedrone.
"I assume that because it's a legal drug he thought it was safe to take. I am convinced he took it because it was legal, why would anyone assume it could kill you?", he said.
Mrs Smith, who is a nurse, said: "He certainly wasn't a regular user, there was no changes in Nick whatsoever, he was just his usual happy...in fact he was at the time of his life when he was exceptionally happy."
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Monday 28 May 2012
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