What Is Mephedrone?
Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is one of a number of synthetic chemical compounds similar to the naturally occurring substance cathinone. Cathinone is the active component of the plant khat, which is chewed in some countries — notably Somalia and Yemen — for its stimulant properties. The early-warning system for drugs run by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction is currently monitoring 15 synthetic cathinones. These compounds are chemically similar to amphetamine: indeed, Les Iversen, the interim chair of the ACMD, has called them “amphetamines by another name”. Although there is little direct scientific evidence, its chemical make-up and the behaviour of other drugs in its class suggest that mephedrone works by stimulating the release and inhibiting the re-uptake of brain neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. How big a problem is mephedrone use in the United Kingdom? Anecdotal reports indicate that mephedrone’s popularity has increased rapidly sin
