Statement from Health Minister on mephedrone

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has called for urgent action to be taken to ban the drug mephedrone.

The Minister said that this issue can only be addressed at a UK level and welcomed reports of plans to review the legality of the drug.

He said:

"In the last few days two teenagers have died in England and it is known they had taken mephedrone and that it may have contributed to their deaths. These tragic deaths underline the need for urgent action to be taken to ensure this does not happen again.

"Young people in particular must be made aware that there are always risks associated with the use of any stimulant substances such as Mephedrone. People should not take these legal highs because of the danger posed to their health.

"Mephedrone can cause anxiety and paranoia (feelings of being persecuted), 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.

"Currently it is not illegal to possess, but it is against the law to supply or advertise it for human consumption. As far as further legislation is concerned, this is addressed at a UK level. It is the duty of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to advise the UK Government on appropriate measures to be taken with respect to drugs which are being, or appear to them are likely to be, misused and which are causing or may cause a social problem.

"Following recent reports of the availability of mephedrone and emerging evidence of its harms, the ACMD is now looking at this issue as a priority."

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