Mephedrone

Description

Mephedrone is a recreational drug that rapidly grew in popularity over the past few years until it became the third most popular (illegal) drug reported as being used by clubbers (Global Drugs Survey, 2011).

Mephedrone is derived from the class of drugs known as the ‘cathinones’. It is a stimulant with psychoactive properties. Mephedrone’s rising popularity, along with increasing media attention around its legality and health consequences, made it one of the most talked about substances. Its prevalence has been suggested to be associated with the decrease in purity and availability of other recreational drugs such as MDMA (Ecstasy) and cocaine in the late noughties. Its effects have been noted as similar to both of these drugs, combining induced feelings of happiness with an ability to stay awake and dance or be sociable.