Mephedrone The Use of Mephedrone (M-cat, Meow) [ in Middlesbrough ] Dr. Russell Newcombe Senior Researcher, Lifeline Publications and Research Produced in December 2009 C o n t e n t s Executive Summary 3 1. Introduction 4 2. Research Methods 4 -5 3. Findings 5 -12 4. Conclusions 12-13 References 13 Appendices 14-16 Acknowledgments Thanks for help and assistance in conducting this report to: Andrea and Mandy (Lifeline Middlesbrough), and the ten people who participated in the three focus groups. Lifeline Publications and Research, 39-41 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA. Telephone: 0161 8392075 E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.lifeline.org.uk Lifeline is a registered charity No: 515691 2 Executive Summary . Mephedrone: the use of m-cat (Meow) in Middlesbrough Dr. Russell Newcombe Senior Researcher, Lifeline Publications & Research, Manchester; December 2009 ‘Legal highs’ are drugs which are not controlled The effects of mephedrone were regarded as both under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act nor licensed stimulant (like speed) and hallucinogenic (like for legal use. Mephedrone is a synthetic ‘legal high’ ecstasy or LSD). The full effects of one dose lasted manufactured from cathinone, the active ingredient around two to four hours. The main physical effects of the African shrub khat, and a natural analogue of mephedrone were reported to be nose-bleeds, of the stimulant drug amphetamine (speed/wiz). dilated pupils, blurred vision, dry mouth/thirst, hot Mephedrone is a white powder, and its full chemical flushes, fast/erratic heart-beats, muscular tension name is 4-methylmethcathinone (4MMC). It is in the jaw and limbs, and shrunken genitals (men known to users as meph and m-cat, and is sold by only). The main mental effects were initial ‘head headshops (in cities and on the internet) as plant rushes’, followed by euphoria, boundless energy, food under the trade name Meow. talkativeness, and time distortions – with heavier users also reporting visual hallucinations. The main In December 2009 Lifeline Publications & Research residual effect was insomnia. The after-effects were was commissioned to investigate mephedrone use in similar to speed come-downs, involving fatigue, Middlesbrough, and to produce a publication for local dizziness, and low mood. Most users regarded users. This research incorporated a literature review, mephedrone’s effects as superior to those of interviews with drugs workers, and focus groups cocaine and ecstasy. Few harmful consequences of with 10 users of mephedrone (nine men and one mephedrone use were reported, though participants woman, mostly young adults). All participants were had all been using for less than three months. No regular users of drugs - notably alcohol, cannabis participants felt they were dependent, though most and amphetamine, but also cocaine and ecstasy. All reported cravings and some were using nearly had begun using mephedrone one to three months every day. Some participants reported skin-rashes, ago, and most were aware that it was ‘legal’. About insomnia and/or amnesia following mephedrone use, half had been obtaining mephedrone from internet though none reported needing any medical or other companies (£10 per gram), and half from drug help. dealers in nightclubs (£15 per gram). All agreed that mephedrone had quickly become very popular in It is concluded that, on the basis of our current Middlesbrough, and was mainly used in nightclubs knowledge, the following harm-reduction advice and parties. Since sniffing it caused painful ‘nose should be given to mephedrone users: use burns’, most had switched to swallowing it. The occasionally (less than weekly); use moderately typical amount of mephedrone consumed over an (no more than 0.5g per session); swallow rather evening/night was about 0.5 to one gram, usually than sniff the powder; use at home, but if using in taken in doses (keys) of 100-200 mg every hour nightclubs stay close to friends; avoid mixing it with or two. Weekend use was the norm, though some alcohol, stimulants or prescribed medicines; buy it participants were near-daily users. Most participants from headshops/internet rather than drug dealers; reported ‘mixing’ alcohol and/or cannabis with and avoid mephedrone if you have health problems mephedrone, either to heighten the effects or (particularly mental disorders or heart problems). The ameliorate the come-down. main message is: look after your friends, and they will look after you. 3 1. Introduction contacted the Director of Communications (Mike Linnell) at Lifeline Publications & Research, to make arrangements for research into local mephedrone ‘Legal highs’ are drugs which are neither controlled use to be conducted. Staff at the agency then began by the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act (MoDA), nor licensed asking service users who used mephedrone if they or for legal use (like alcohol and tobacco). Such drugs any of their associates would be willing to participate are legal to use and possess, and legal to supply in a focus group. The single criterion for inclusion as long as they are sold for purposes other than was that potential participants must have used or human consumption. If they are sold or advertised be using mephedrone. On Monday 14th December as drugs, they become subject to the 1968 Medicines 2009, two senior members of Lifeline Publications & Act – which has a maximum sentence of two years Research - Mike Linnell (ML) and Russell Newcombe imprisonment for unauthorised supply. The leaves and (RN) - visited the premises of Lifeline Middlesbrough stems of the shrub khat (qat) are traditionally chewed to conduct short unstructured interviews with two for their stimulant effects in East Africa and the members of staff, and focus groups with mephedrone Middle East, and are used as a natural ‘legal high’ by users. some communities in Britain. The active ingredients of khat are cathinone and cathine, stimulant drugs Focus groups. For practical reasons (time classified as keto-amphetamines. Over the past constraints and the staggered times of arrival of decade, enterprising ‘legal high’ producers have research participants) three focus groups were manufactured several synthetic cathinone realated conducted: one with six participants, and two drugs, the most well-known of which is mephedrone with two participants each – making a total of 10 (Meyer et al. 2009; Appendix 1). The full chemical mephedrone users. Each focus group was conducted name of mephedrone is 4-methylmethcathinone in a private room at Lifeline Middlesbrough, and (4MMC), known to users as m-cat or meph, and sold began with an introduction from ML, who explained from headshops under the trade name of Meow the purpose of the research (to produce a publication (or Miaow). It is not controlled in the UK, though for mephedrone users); who we were; and that is prohibited in Scandinavian countries and Israel. participation was voluntary, confidential and Though research has just begun, the effects of anonymous. mephedrone have been reported to resemble those of both speed (stimulant amphetamines) and ecstasy Using a pre-structured list of topics (Appendix 2), (hallucinogenic amphetamines). The nature and ML prompted participants to give information about extent of its harmful consequences has also not yet mephedrone use by them and their associates, and been researched. At the time of writing, there was RN kept a written record of their responses (as well just one published report of mephedrone poisoning as making some verbal prompts). Most participants in the UK (Wood et al. 2009), and just one death made useful contributions to the discussions, and linked to mephedrone reported by the mass media only two were relatively quiet (P3 and P9). At the end in Britain – a young man who committed suicide of each session, participants were asked if they had allegedly due to post-mephedrone depression (The any questions, thanked for their help, and given £20 Sun, 8th December 2009). each for their assistance. Each focus group lasted between 45 and 60 minutes. In December 2009, Lifeline Publications & Research was commissioned by Safer Middlesbrough Participants. All 10 participants were residents Partnership to conduct some research into of Middlesbrough, and over 18 years of age. The mephedrone, and to produce a publication for local participants within each focus group were friends users of mephedrone. This document reports the and/or associates (with one exception). Initial methods and findings of this research. discussions revealed that all participants were poly-drug users, and were mainly users of three recreational drugs: cannabis (especially skunk), 2. Research methods alcohol and amphetamine sulphate (speed or wiz). Most participants also mentioned being users of Overview. The research had three components: a cocaine (sniff) and ecstasy (pills) in the past, but review of the available literature, interviews with drug generally indicated that they had ceased or reduced agency staff, and focus groups with mephedrone their use of these two popular drugs because their users in Middlesbrough. At the start of December quality (purity) had dropped so much over the last 2009, the Manager of Lifeline Middlesbrough few years (confirmed by analyses of drugs seized 4 by the police, e.g. Home Office 2009). This partly was usually sought in such circumstances. In the explains their increased interest in ‘legal highs’ Findings section, no distinctions are made between such as keto-amphetamines. Many participants also the individual focus groups except when necessary. mentioned use of ketamine, and some mentioned use To indicate the extent of agreement on particular of other hallucinogens (e.g. LSD, magic mushrooms) issues, the following quantifiers are used: all (10), - but none indicated any use of heroin or crack. For most (7 to 9), around half (4 to 6), some (1 to 3), and instance, P2 stated that “we don’t touch smack, but none. ‘All or most’ will also be referred to as ‘general I’ve got a mate who does, and I’m OK with that as agreement’ or ‘consensus’.