News

14 April 2010
MEPHEDRONE TO BE CATEGORISED AS A CLASS B DRUG FROM FRIDAY 16TH APRIL

Police forces across Scotland are today reminding those in possession of mephedrone of the change in classification that comes into effect on Friday 16th April.

The substance which is sold under street names, such as M-CAT and Meow Meow, is considered to be harmful and in recent months has been linked with a number of deaths and poisonings across Scotland. The Home Office announced on Monday that from Friday 16th April mephedrone and any products containing the chemicals below will be categorised as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

• 4-Methylmethcathinone (mephedrone)
• 4-Methoxymethcathinone (bk-PMMA/ methedrone)
• 3-Fluoromethcathinone
• 2-Methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propan-1-one  (bk-MDMA/methylone)
• 2-Methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)butan-1-one (bk-MBDB/butylone)

With this move the police will be able to detain and arrest anyone who is found to be in possession or caught selling mephedrone.

Forces across Scotland are this week visiting shops in their area who may have been selling the substances to issue them with a notice to hand over any stocks before the changes.  Future operations will be mounted to target those who continue to traffic the drug as well as those who are known to have stockpiled the drug ahead of the ban.

From Friday 16th April, as a Class B drug, those caught in possession or found to be selling the substances reclassified will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and the penalty for possession of a class B drug is up to 5 years in prison and an unlimited fine while dealers could face up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.

Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), Deputy Chief Constable Gordon Meldrum, who is the ACPOS spokesperson on drugs, said:

‘ACPOS welcomes the decision to make Mephedrone illegal. Until now the legal status of the drug may have implied to users that the substance is safe which it isn't. It is vital that users understand the risks and avoid taking such substances.  Classifying the drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 sends a clear message that the substance is harmful.

‘Whilst we know users in Scotland have been purchasing Mephedrone over the internet or from head shops, it is also clear that some sales are being conducted by self-placed intermediaries, often criminals, driven by greed and without any care for the individuals who they are selling to.
‘Our priority is to disrupt and prevent the distribution of this drug.  With greater enforcement powers we will be firm and tackle those individuals who continue to sell or traffic this harmful drug in order to protect the health of those who may be under the illusion it is safe.