EU rules delay move to ban deadly drug

Mephedrone -- a popular legal stimulant sold as plant food in headshops across the country -- is already illegal in Norway, Finland and Germany.

There were further calls to ban it in the United Kingdom yesterday following the deaths of Louis Wainwright (19) and Nicholas Smith (19).

Both teenagers had taken the drug, and police fear they were killed by a contaminated batch.

Mephedrone can be bought legally in various forms in Irish headshops for as little as €10, and can also be legally bought in pure form over the internet and shipped into the country.

Earlier this month, a girl (17) in Bray, Co Wicklow, had a violent seizure and was rushed to hospital after reportedly taking a mephedrone-based substance. "It is one of a number of substances that will become illegal here in early June," said John Curran, the junior minister with responsibility for the drugs strategy, last night.

"There are a number of EU directives that we must comply with and because it's a restriction of trade we must give the three months' notice to Europe.

"We've done that and the ban will be operational from the beginning of June."

Mephedrone is sold in powder form in headshops and is snorted or swallowed by users. It has become a hugely-popular drug, especially on the dance scene. "It is one of the more popular items (sold in headshops) and one of the more problematic," Mr Curran said.

"Drug addiction workers and those working in A&E would say that people are presenting with anxiety and paranoia, but also with more complex issues.

"It's not banned in the UK or US, but we're banning it with a range of other chemicals like BZP derivatives because of the detrimental health effects.

Source: Jason O'Brien, The Irish Independent, 18/03/2010