Mephedrone use is becoming increasingly widespread among drug-users in the UK. Our roving reporter sheds light on this research chemical gone recreational.
There's a new slang term in the narcotic vocabulary: meow. Cats will never be looked at the same way again as mephedrone, also known as 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC), has become such a popular recreational drug that it has its own nickname. Festivals, clubs and houseparties this summer seemed increasingly awash with the psychoactive stimulant that is completely legal and becoming a firm favourite with ravers.
It's effects have been compared to MDMA and cocaine, though neither really do it justice. Mephedrone offers a happy buzz and the positivity that goes with it, throw in a dash of alertness and it's an ideal dance drug or seen as perfect for all night houseparties. Sold as plant feeder, there's plenty of ways of getting your hands on meow and at around £12 a gram, it's cheap.
With genuine ecstasy pills and MDMA in short supply, it's no surprise meow use is on the increase, together with another two substances, methylone and butylone, which are often combined with mephedrone for a heightened experience. Yet, despite being legal in most countries right now, meow's already been banned in Israel, Norway, Sweden and the US. Why? One girl died in December last year in Sweden and it's side effects could prove quite telling as the authorities in other countries face up to the prospect of widespread use.
Extreme anxiety and poor circulation causing hands and feet to go blue are two of the most common symptoms of use, both signs of its toxicity. How long mephedrone will continue it's legality remains to be seen - the UK media, normally so quick to launch tirades against anything that might disrupt the social status quo, has been quiet on the matter. Given the sharp uptake in mephedrone's popularity and sudden appearance of websites selling the substance suggests it won't be ignored for much longer.
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