CONTROVERSIAL LEGAL DRUG ON SALE IN SWINDON

THE DRUG mephedrone, which has been blamed for the deaths of several
teenagers across the UK, is readily available on the streets of
Swindon, an Adver investigation has confirmed.

Yesterday, as the Government signalled it would outlaw the legal
'high', Wiltshire police reminded the public about its potential
health risk.

The drug, popularly known as meow meow, is a legally sold plant
fertiliser which has been described as more dangerous than cocaine.

The Adver was able to buy a one gram bag of the drug -- linked to the
deaths of four teenagers and one 49-year-old -- for 15UKP from a shop
at the tented market in the town centre.

The shop's owner has expressed alarm at being confronted about the
potential dangers of the drug.

The substance is one molecule different from ecstasy and is therefore
treated as a different substance that is not yet outlawed in Britain.

Drugs advisers claim it has risen to prominence partly because of a
shortage of MDMA -- commonly known as ecstasy.

Medical experts are warning that its use can result in severe nose
bleeds, nose burns, hallucinations, blood circulation problems,
rashes, anxiety and paranoia, fits, delusions and can lead to a heart
attack.

The Adver understands that at least five teenagers in Swindon have
been stopped by door staff trying to enter pubs and clubs with the
drug, which is also known as meow meow.

Bram Tout, manager of the Inclusion Drug Service, in Victoria Road,
who helps hundreds of drug abusers each year, said he was disturbed
by the news that meow meow was being sold in town shops.

He said: "Any time a substance is sold for something it was not
intended for it is disturbing and dangerous -- especially considering
we here spend our day working with people whose lives have been badly
affected by addiction.

"Although mephedrone is a new entrant, it is likely to harm people's
lives because addiction itself is detrimental to people's lifestyles.

"If people are addicted to a substance or a behaviour it overtakes
their lifestyles.

"It is a fact of life that people sell drugs, but I would suggest
that anyone that is doing so should stop."

Mephedrone was banned in Sweden after an 18-year-old reportedly died
with the substance in his body.

It has also been outlawed in Israel, Norway and Finland.

THE OWNER of the Lazy Frog in Swindon's tented market has defended
his stance on selling the legal drug mephedrone.

James Whitaker, 19, who lives in the town centre, said until it's
medically proven that mephedrone was directly linked to users'
deaths, he considers all calls on the Government to ban the drug as
'media hype'.

He said the shop, which has been open for six months, started selling
the product five months ago alongside tobacco products like shisha
pipes, art, bric-a-brac, smoking pipes and rolling papers.

He said: "I had a cactus in my shop when I opened and someone came in
and asked me if I sell this plant food (mephedrone). I researched it
and started selling it as plant food.

"Most of the customers who purchased it were in their mid-40s and
30s, so I thought it was only being used for plants.

"I soon found out that people were buying it and getting high and
immediately tried it out myself to see whether it was safe. I also
did loads of research on it.

"Since then I have sold about 20 to 30 packages a week in gram
packages, but people should remember that the exact same thing can be
purchased off of the internet.

"There are other legal drugs that I can sell but I don't because I
know they are dangerous."

James said his research has repeatedly turned up newspaper clippings
linking the drug to deaths, but as of yet there is no hard evidence
of that.

"This is all about the tabloids whipping up hysteria," he added. "I
think it is tragic that these people have died but the two boys who
died in Scunthorpe recently, for example, had lots of booze in their
systems and also took heroin stimulants -- so who knows what caused
their deaths?

"When a report directly linking the drug to their deaths is published
I will remove it from my shelves.

"It is likely that after this story the police will pressure me, and
don't get me wrong if they do, I will consider their arguments and
decide what to do at that point.

"But at the same time I would like to remind people that there are
many other products out there being sold and abused including porn
and knives -- but they have yet to be banned.

"Although I am making profit from this, I would still be in business
without the profits from this drug, so it's not as if my business
relies on it."

When asked what how he could ensure that the drug wasn't getting into
the hands of youngsters, he said under-18s are not allowed in his
shop.

James added: "I have a strict age policy in the shop.

"Because some of our products can only be sold to over 18s, such as
novelty pipes and bongs, we refuse entry to anyone who looks under 25
without ID.

"We would be devastated if we mistakenly sold mephedrone to anyone
under this age, as we feel that people under 18 are more likely to
misuse the product and be less likely to stay safe and be well informed.

"Mephedrone is readily available to anyone of any age on the
internet, in any quantity. There have been reports of it being sold
on the streets in Swindon and cut with harmful substances.

"Therefore if I stop selling it, people who may be misusing it are
likely to turn to more dangerous alternative methods.

"This will fund illegal activities and could endanger people's
health."