Mephedrone bolsters illegal drug use

Mephedrone bolsters illegal drug use. Experienced clubbers are more likely to add the former 'legal high' mephedrone to their drug repertoires rather than use it to replace popular established club drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine, according to new research involving Durham University. Analysis of a survey from over 300 clubbers conducted just after the UK ban on mephedrone showed that clubbers will take ecstasy pills, cocaine and MDMA powder as well as mephedrone as part of their drug repertoires. This is the case even at times of low purity of club drugs. The findings indicate that polydrug use is the norm amongst clubbers with legal, newly banned and established illegal club drugs all forming part of the drug range, particularly for 'early adopters' such as gay clubbers in London. The researchers say polydrug use significantly increases risks of health complications and therefore puts strain on the NHS. It also puts pressure on the criminal justice system and demands more specific targeting of interventions such as drugs outreach, information services and drug treatment.