Junior Ministers call for action on Mephedrone

Junior Ministers Robin Newton and Gerry Kelly have joined the call for immediate action to deal with the legality of the drug mephedrone.

Their comments follow the deaths this week of two English teenagers who had taken the drug.

Junior Minister Newton said: "These tragic deaths highlighted the need for a ban of the so-called 'legal high' mephedrone.

"The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is due to report to the Home Office on their findings into mephedrone in the comings weeks, and we would urge all parties involved to ensure a speedy resolution is found."

Junior Minister Kelly said: "As Ministers with responsibility for children and young people we are only too aware of the temptations and dangers this generation faces when it comes to drug taking.

"We must continue in our efforts to educate and protect our young people so that we don't lose any of them to mephedrone or any other drug."

Notes to editors:

1. For media enquiries, please contact OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9037 8142. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.