If there was a pop chart for recreational drugs, mephedrone would be the fast-rising new entry. The so-called legal high - full name 4-Methylmethcathinone or 4-MMC - is reported to have similar effects to a mixture of cocaine and ecstasy.
Also known as meow, meph or Mcat, mephedrone is not covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act meaning it can be sold over the internet for as little as £10 a gram.
Illegal in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Israel due to health concerns, its surge in popularity in the UK has coincided with high-profile media reports linking the drug to a number of deaths, including that of 14-year-old schoolgirl Gabrielle Price (see below).
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
