Alan Johnson warns pupils of m-cat danger
HOME Secretary Alan Johnson has told children at an East Yorkshire school he thinks the legal high drug mephedrone is both dangerous and harmful.
The Hull West and Hessle MP, who took part in a question and answer session with pupils at Hessle High School, was quizzed about his views on the substance – also known as m-cat and meow – which is at the heart of a national drugs row.
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SPECIAL GUEST: Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson is accompanied on his visit to Hessle High School by head boy Tom Pallant and head girl Steph Wright.
The death of two teenagers in Scunthorpe last week was linked to the drug.
Police believe Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, died after they took a mixture of alcohol, mephedrone and the heroin substitute methadone.
In January, a 17-year-old sixth-form student collapsed at Woldgate College, Pocklington, after taking the substance and was rushed to hospital.
It is believed two students bought the drug from someone in the town in their lunch hour.
Headteacher of Woldgate Jeff Bower called for the drug to be made illegal.
The Home Secretary told Hessle students: "I think mephedrone is a harmful drug but I need the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to tell me that because they are the experts.
"You can't just ban things because you have a feeling that they may be harmful, you have to have the proof that they are harmful."
The Home Office is expecting to receive expert advice from the advisory council within the next few days.
Mr Johnson said: "I think this drug is dangerous, I think it will be classified accordingly and we will do it as quickly as possible."
The Home Secretary was grilled by students on a wide range of issues, from university tuition fees to Internet safety for children.
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by Glenroy, Hull
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 6:07PM
“Ben ,I have looked at the facts,and they tell me that M-cat is a dangerous substance that can and has killed.”
by ben, cott
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 8:36AM
“Here you go Glenroy, rather than listening to the press demonizing something they know nothing about why dont you look at the facts, i expect there where at least 50 deaths from asprin yesterday but that doesnt make a good story so it doesnt get reported..
drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30#adr”
by Glenroy, Hull
Monday, March 22 2010, 11:26PM
“ben, cott , did you hear the news tonight ? I did and it reported the death of a young lady who died after taking mephedrone, you stated that this drug was safer than most prescription drugs....I think ill lay off my heart tablets for a while just in case your right !”
by Jacobus Arminius, Beyond the Grave
Monday, March 22 2010, 9:29PM
“I'm a Methodist and I'm not dangerous. My Cat is though.”
by peter, Hull
Monday, March 22 2010, 6:27PM
“What now the negative comments about MEPHEDRONE, on the six -oclock news another woman as died.”
by Terry, Hull
Monday, March 22 2010, 1:42PM
“Alcohol kills thousands of people every year , can we look forward to a ban on that ?
Nice to hear Alan Johnson values the work of the ACMD , it's a pity his government ignored their finding on cannabis though because it wasn't to their liking”
by Jim's lass, Boothferry Estate
Monday, March 22 2010, 12:46PM
“Hope the bairns did grill him on how Labour have destroyed their job prospects with their policy of mass immigration and EU migrant workers taking our grandbairns jobs, and closing Bird Eye, you young uns can help kick Labour out.”
by Jimbo, hull
Monday, March 22 2010, 12:30PM
“The government are missing a trick here I'm sure. I bet mkat sales are killing the profits of street dealers of illegal narcotics on massive scale - which has to be good thing. I for one don't agree with it's use by minors this has to be stopped pronto, I believe a sensible approach is what New Zealand have done. They created a new classification for it, Class D. Which allowed the sale of mephodrone to people of the age of 18 only.”
by Ranter, Hull.
Monday, March 22 2010, 12:15PM
“Well if what Jimbo says is true, I will never buy Bertie Bassetts sweets again.”
by Jimbo, hull
Monday, March 22 2010, 11:16AM
“The sad fact of the matter is that when mkat is banned it will become a far more dangerous substance. Street dealers will mix it with allsorts.”