NORCAS News » Youth Service http://www.norcas.org.uk/blog NORCAS News and Updates Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:32:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Mephedrone http://www.norcas.org.uk/blog/mephedrone/ http://www.norcas.org.uk/blog/mephedrone/#comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:35:26 +0000 m.wilson http://www.norcas.org.uk/blog/?p=34 Mephedrone – is a stimulant also known as 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC), 4-methylephedrone, meow meow, Miaow, or MMCAT.   It is a legal stimulant sold as plant food.  It is similar to other stimulants – such as cocaine, amphetamine and MDMA – and generates a feeling of heightened alertness and euphoria when taken.  The effects of mephedrone are often described as a kind of mix of amphetamine and MDMA but with a shorter-lasting effect than the latter and is reported as being very addictive. Also reported are some very unpleasant side-effects such as headaches, palpitations, nausea, high blood pressure, a burning throat, nose bleeds (which can last over several days especially if mephedrone is snorted), purple joints (elbows and knees), weight loss and insomnia; also anxiety, excessive aggression, disturbed sleep, being sick.  Recently, mephedrone has been linked to the deaths of two students. 

Why would you try a Legal High?

“Because it’s cheap and legal and gives the similar high of more expensive, harder to get hold of drugs.”

“The lows are not as bad as illegal”

“Cheapness makes it more sociable; people are more willing to share”

“Legal is not as damaging”

“Because it’s legal people don’t read into side effects”

“Readily available; you can buy it on the Internet.”

“Makes you feel happy, chatty and confident.”

“Cheaper, more purer substance.”

These were just a few, immediate comments from university students in response to the question ‘Why would you try a legal high?”

FACT OR MYTH? Because it’s legal, people don’t read into the side effects and assume that it has somehow gone through some testing procedure in the same way an over-the-counter medicine would have done before it is allowed to be sold. MYTH!  It may be legal – as a plant food for example!  But it has had no properly governed testing procedure over many years.  No-one knows the full side-effects; no-one knows the long-term effects; no-one knows what happens when you mix other chemicals with the product.

Legal highs are substances that have the same or similar effects to illegal drugs. This may be because, for example, a herbal mixture is coated with a chemical or a substance is being used in an unlicensed way. Remember – legal highs say on the packet that they are not fit for human consumption.

If you need any help or advice please don’t hesitate to contact our Youth Service on 01502 513444.

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