Britain set to ban NZ's new killer party drug

Mephedrone powder. Photo / Supplied

A substance used by British youngsters as a party drug is set to be banned after it was linked to the deaths of two teenagers.

British police said Louis Wainwright and Nicholas Smith, both 19, were found dead in separate locations after having taken mephedrone.

The Times in London reported that it would be impossible to determine to what extent the drug played a role in their deaths but a report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, commissioned last year and due on March 29, is expected to recommend a ban on the drug.

Toxicologist Dr David Wood spoke on Britain's Radio 4 where he described mephedrone as a "stimulant drug" similar to cocaine, amphetamine, and ecstasy.

Families and friends of the dead teenagers told the Times they were not "druggies" and would not have touched the substance if it had have been illegal.

Mr Smith's mother, Elaine, said that because mephedrone was legal, he didn't see it as a risk.

"For that reason he's gone and we're never going to be the same as a family again," she said.

The powdered form of the drug ostensibly sold as a plant fertiliser in Britain was being illegally imported into New Zealand, National Drugs Intelligence Bureau coordinator Detective Inspector Stuart Mills told NZPA.

Quantities of the drug have been intercepted by New Zealand Customs officials, with police fearing a strong version of mephedrone is in use here as a substitute for ecstasy.

Customs officials have intercepted at least 15 packets of the drug - 13 of them from Britain - in the past four months.

The maximum penalty for its possession was three months jail and/or a $500 fine, with up to eight years in prison for importing or supplying.

"Concerns have been raised about the strength of mephedrone available in New Zealand and it is believed that some drug users take mephedrone as a substitute for ecstacy (MDMA)," he said.

"There is also a risk that tablets which people believe to be MDMA may in fact contain mephedrone."

Mephedrone is banned in Norway, Finland, Denmark, Israel and Sweden.

Mr Mills said police and the National Drugs Intelligence Bureau, were closely monitoring its supply and use here.

Potential side effects of the drug are reported to include fits, blood circulation problems, vomiting, nausea, nose bleeds, nose burns, hallucinations, rashes and paranoia.

- NZPA, NZ HERALD ONLINE