Mephedrone has finally been banned from Britain’s streets, a move that has been welcomed by drug support agencies in Bradford.

But with it comes caution, as a host of new legal highs are now expected to replace mephedrone as the next ‘party drug’.

Mephedrone, also known as M-Cat and meow meow, is now categorised as a Class B drug following recommendations by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

Those found in possession of the former ‘legal high’ could face a five-year prison sentence, and dealing carries a maximum 14-year sentence.

Jon Royle, chief executive of Bradford’s Bridge Project, which provides services for drug users, welcomes the move to make the drug illegal, but warns that users may turn to other legal highs, and that legislation needs to cover that.

Several new options are said to be on the market and, since it became illegal, the price of mephedrone is now said to have doubled.

The most likely replacement is reported to be the drug MDAI, initially developed as an anti-depressant. Another drug, known as ‘sparkle’, is said to have a similar effect to ecstasy. The ACMD is investigating the new drugs.

“Mephedrone is now a Class B drug and we obviously feel that it’s a very good thing,” says Mr Royle. “That means, of course, that the usual sort of mechanisms within the law will be put in place to protect young people.”

“We should learn from this that obviously the legislation in this country is not geared up to deal with what is a very different world as regards dangerous drugs.

“The fact is we are not just dealing with traditional drugs like heroin and cocaine, new compounds are coming up all the time which can be dangerous so legislation needs to be adapted to deal with the threats.”

Vicki Beere, service manager with Project 6, says the ban is a legal position but says, as a harm reduction service, health is their priority. “We don’t know what harm this drug is causing,” she says.

“There is a ban but there is still a risk of harm to people and our advice is not to use it because we don’t know what it will do. We don’t know what the short and long term effects are. If people want to come and access our stimulant service here and at Bridge it’s the best place to start.”

Bryan Dent, West Yorkshire Police’s drugs co-ordinator, says: “To users of the drug, its classification should send a crystal-clear message that mephedrone is not safe to consume. It can have serious health implications, especially so when consumed alongside amounts of alcohol and other drugs. All these symptoms can be exaggerated and compounded when alcohol is also consumed.”

He says that while the police have no agenda to criminalise young people who use the drug, they won’t be turning a blind eye to users who, he says, run the risk of being arrested and getting a criminal conviction.

“But we will also encourage them to seek medical help and support before they become addicted to the drug or their health is irreparably damaged,” he says.

“If people continue to supply mephedrone they will be committing a criminal offence, no matter how it is packaged.

“Prior to its classification it was usual for dealers to advertise it as not for human consumption or ‘plant food.’ Now these phrases will not affect the police response, suppliers and dealers of mephedrone will be arrested and taken to court.”

Professor Les Iversen, chairman of the ACMD, says: “The advice we have provided to Government is generic legislation encompassing a wide range of cathinone derivatives. This is, as far as we are aware, a world-first for the cathinones. By proposing this chemically-complex legislation, we expect that our drug laws will be more robust and more difficult for chemists to develop new substances to flout the law.”

For more information, call Project 6 on (01535) 610180. The organisation operates a duty service daily between 1pm and 5pm and no appointment is needed. Call the Bridge Project on (01274) 723863, or visit bridge-bradford.org.uk.