No mephedrone problems in Bolton until six months ago (From The Bolton News)

No mephedrone problems in Bolton until six months ago

4:30pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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DOCTORS say they are seeing more people admitted to hospital after taking a “dangerous” legal high.

Medics at the Royal Bolton Hospital’s accident and emergency department said they were concerned about the rise in admissions from people taking mephedrone.

And they revealed that six months ago they had never seen any admissions connected to the substance.

The legal drug — also known as “miaow miaow”, “bubble”, “drone” and “MCAT” — has sparked increasing fears following the deaths this week of two teenagers in Scunthorpe who had taken it.

Last month the death of Steph Howard, aged 20, from Leigh, was also believed to be connected to her taking the drug.

Dr Richard Parris, a consultant in emergency medicine at the hospital, said: “Up to about six months ago we never saw any cases where people had taken mephedrone.

“While the numbers are very low, we are now seeing patients who have taken this drug.

“We’re aware of the current publicity and will be monitoring the situation.”

Sandie Saunders, Bolton’s drugs and alcohol strategy manager, last month in The Bolton News warned that local drug users were putting their lives at risk by experimenting with the substance.

She told how its use was being monitored in the town because little was known about its effects. She said: “We do have reports of people in Bolton using it. There is not much research into this substance. We don’t know if it is addictive or what are the exact side effects.”

The chemical is usually a white or yellowish powder and has similar effects to cocaine and ecstasy.

The drug costs from £10 per gramme, about £3 a dose, and is widely available online.

Users have reported heart palpitations, high blood pressure, nose bleeds, weight loss, insomnia and even psychosis.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is to publish a report on a group of legal highs, including mephedrone, at the end of the month and could recommend a ban.