By Milana Knezevic
A SERIOUS WARNING has been issued to students by North Yorkshire Police and the University over the misuse of the legal drug mephedrone.
Mephedrone is popularly purchased online at around £11 for a gram. The effects of the drug have been compared to ecstasy and cocaine, and it is usually distributed as powder to be snorted, although it also comes in crystal, pill and liquid form.
Vision has spoken to several students who have confirm that the drug has been widely circulated on campus for some time. “It’s become the new party drug on campus,” says one student who has asked to be anonymous. “It’s cheap and easy to get a hold of.”
At the moment it is not illegal, although advertising and selling it for human consumption is banned. The drug is therefore often advertised as a plant chemical or a research drug.
North Yorkshire Police has described it as “a potentially dangerous drug” which has left some users in A&E when their hearts stopped.
A York Hospital spokeswoman stated that there has been an increase in incidents linked to mephedrone over the past couple of months and that most of the people who are brought to A&E with symptoms of use have been in their late teens or early twenties.
“The severity of their condition varies. However, we have had some people who have been seriously ill having taken this drug.”
Many York students can also tell of less serious, but nonetheless startling short-term side effects.
One student recalls going on a three-day binge, consuming approximately 1 gram of mephedrone. “I just felt really ill and at one point my elbows and fingers even turned purple.”
These, as well as nosebleeds and excessive sweating, are just a few known side effects of the drug. Furthermore, there have been reports of paranoia and anxiety after use.
The police also warn of potential addiction to mephedrone, a warning that is backed up by students
“It is definitely well addicting. I know people on campus who use it on a daily basis,” said one.
Currently Mephedrone is legal in the UK but reports claim that it might be made illegal in the UK as soon as in March, but until then the North Yorkshire Police office are advising that students do not use the drug.