Mephedrone, also known as 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC), or 4-methylephedrone, is a synthetic stimulant and entactogen drug of the amphetamine and cathinone classes. It is reported to be contained in some legal highs and is sometimes sold mixed with methylone. It is a synthetic substance based on the cathinone compounds found in the khat plant of eastern Africa. Mephedrone can come in the form of capsules, tablets or white powder that users may swallow, snort or inject. In 2009 it became the fourth most popular street drug in the United Kingdom, behind marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy. Slang names include meph, drone and MCAT. In late 2009, UK newspapers began referring to the drug as meow or miaow (sometimes doubled as meow meow or miaow miaow), a name that was almost unknown on the street at the time.
