THE dangers of illegal drug meow meow will be the focus of a new Welsh Government campaign. South West Wales has seen a huge increase in the amount of people using the drug in the past 12 months due to its availability and low cost.
The drug, officially known as mephedrone, is described as a mix between amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy, and can cause heart palpitations, paranoia, vomiting, agitation, fits, suicidal thoughts and depression. The campaign, which will highlight the dangers of the drug as well as other new and emerging drugs and the damage they can cause, was launched by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths today and will run until March 2.
An all-Wales conference hosted by Swansea Drugs Project will then take place on March 7 focusing on new and emerging drugs. Mrs Griffiths said: "The dramatic rise in the use of mephedrone is concerning given the serious mental and physical harm the drug can cause both in the short and long term.
"As a Class B drug mephedrone carries a penalty of up to five years for possession and 14 years for supply. "One of the aims of our campaign is to educate people about the dangers of the drug and the damage it can cause. "The campaign also points users and their families to the Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline, also known as DAN 24/7, for further information about mephedrone and where they can go to get help."
Latest figures from the British Crime Survey indicate that mephedrone remains the fourth most prevalent drug in the UK, after cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. The survey also estimates that around 300,000 or 3.4 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds used mephedrone during 2011/12.
