Drugs education event puts spotlight on mephedrone (From York Press)
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This campaign by The Press intends to make the drug mephedrone illegal.
The drug, commonly known as bubbles, meow, meow or M-CAT, which can cost as little as £3 a dose, is becoming increasingly popular among young people in North and East Yorkshire, but its effects can be devastating.
Phone Jennifer Bell at The Press on 01904 653051 ext 315 or email jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk for further details.
Drugs education event puts spotlight on mephedrone
8:48am Friday 19th February 2010 in
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- By Richard Catton » richard.catton@thepress.co.uk
TEENAGERS from a York education programme have shared their experiences of the danger-drug mephedrone and told how easy it is obtain the legal high.
The 16 to 19-year-olds were attending an educational event in Fulford yesterday run by Drugs Education Active Learning (DEAL), where they were told the facts about legal drugs such as mephedrone, alcohol and cigarettes.
After the session, 19-year-old Anne Marie, a student at E2E (Entry to Employment) a pre-apprenticeship learning course, said she had tried mephedrone, also known as M-Cat, along with many of her friends.
She said: “A lot of my friends are into it. I have tried it once, but I didn’t like it – it was pretty boring.
“It wakes you up and gives you a bit of a buzz, but I was just grinding my teeth.”
She described the effects as neither pleasant nor unpleasant.
“I became aware of it in the autumn when a friend offered me some. She gets it all the time. You can get it for £10 a gram.”
The effects are easy to spot in young people, according to Laura Jarrett, a tutor at the Clifford Street-based organisation.
She said: “We deal with a lot of personal and social issues and we have noticed that M-Cat is becoming more prevalent.
“We wanted the students to be aware of what can happen to them. Before they make a decision to take it we want them to know what the implications are.”
E2E offers learning to young people who are not in education, training or employment.
Drugs education worker Steve Banton spoke at yesterday’s workshop.
He said: “I have come to speak about M-Cat because there seems to be a problem here in York, as well as the rest of the country.
“It’s a big problem nationwide, and people know they can’t be arrested over it so they use it all the more.”
The Press launched its campaign for the drug, commonly known as bubbles, meow meow or M-CAT, to be made illegal last month when a 17-year-old boy at Woldgate College, in Pocklington, collapsed and had to be rushed to hospital after taking it. Since then, we have collected more than 200 signatures backing our campaign.
The drug can cost as little as £3 a dose, and has become increasingly popular among young people in North and East Yorkshire. It is commonly found in plant food and is perfectly legal.
Have you or your family been affected?
Phone Jennifer Bell at The Press on 01904 653051 ext 315 or email jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk
• Police in Wigan are investigating the death of 20-year-old woman who is believed to have fallen ill after experimenting with mephedrone.
Steph Howard lost her fight for life on Tuesday after being taken to hospital in a critical condition on Saturday. A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug and remain in police custody for questioning.
Comments(2)
consumer
says...
3:36am Sat 20 Feb 10
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The level of ignorance displayed by this comment just about sums up the journalistic standards of this newspaper. This 'campaign' has been marked by ignorance and lies from the start.
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A course member experiences hallucinations using special goggles at the Legal High Active Learning Awareness Course at the Skills Centre, in Fulfordgate, York
Drugs education worker Steve Banton
E2E course tutor Laura Jarrett
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meefy says...
5:54pm Fri 19 Feb 10
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During this talk concerning a very serious subject that, thanks to all the misinformation printed in papers like this, a lot of people have very little understanding of, the main topic of discussion was how easy it is buy.
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Clearly that is the major concern here. No point discussing the fact that different types of Mephedrone from different factories can vary in quality and strength. No mention of the fact that it is often the traces of the chemical solvents used in the manufacture of the drug that can be the most physically damaging. Its hardly worth trying to identify the different types and discussing how the side effects can vary greatly from one batch to another.
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Having only tried it the once, i am sure the girl had a good understanding of addiction and how to deal with it, so theres no point in telling people that the withdrawal period lasts around 5 days with the third and fourth day being the most difficult. It hardly seems important that the addiction is predominantly psychological and can lead to strong emotions during the withdrawal period. No point in telling these people that physical tiredness will occur and is best treated with plenty of sleep.
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By no means should parents be prepared for the difficulties they will inevitably encounter when this ban comes into place, as any children who may have developed serious habits will be forced to either go through the 5 day withdrawal period or try to find Mephedrone from street dealers capitalising on the ban by doubling their prices.
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Clearly these points i have mentioned are so insignificant that they seem hardly worth mentioning myself. What you must be aware of is that its easy to buy. And while you're here sign the petition!!!
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There is very little to be learned about Mephedrone from this paper or any of the other sensationalist stories in mainstream media. Remember the points i have made. These are the real things parents need to know. Theres plenty of good information available online. Forget the newspapers, they are not the experts.
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Addiction can be easily overcome with the support and patience of those closest. Just because someone likes to do some at the weekend it does not make them an addict. Very few recreational users develop serious habits. Even fewer experience any serious health problems. For most "users" it really is a bit of harmless fun.