As ever i was listening to Stephen (with a PH) Nolan on the radio driving in to work - the traffic is abysmal and it is tough getting there before 9.
I am a glutton for radio punishment, which is why i enjoy listening to the show - really gets the blood pumping for the rest of the day.
Yesterday, but most especially today, it almost did the reverse. My blood ran cold and I really felt uncomfortable listening to interviews he did with mothers and siblings of young people who have been taking a drug compound called mephedrone.
I am a bloke. Blokes don't get emotional.
I am married. My wife puts up with me.
I am a dad. I want to protect my kids
The Stephen Nolan show made me emotional over people i had never met, never heard off, and probably never will. The interviews mad me irrationally worry about my kids, especially upon hearing that 6 year old kids were getting hooked on this legal high. They have yet to reach Primary School - but i still worry (I did point out it was irrational). I don't want my wife or myself have to go through what the parents of those kids on this trashy drug went through.
A lot of politicians are on the ball with this one. The issue was discussed by the Health Committee today in Stormont and the Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has called for it to be banned too.
Mephedrone it is currently not illegal to possess, but it is against the law to supply or advertise it for human consumption. Mephedrone can cause anxiety and paranoia (feelings of being persecuted), heart palpitations and fits or seizures. If snorted, it can lead to severe nosebleeds. Like many substances regular use can lead to the development of a compulsive habit.
Now from what I have been picking up from Facebook and Twitter is that Mephedrone is a compound drug, and if it were to be made illegal all the dealers would have to do would be to change the chemical make-up of the compound and it would be legal again.
I believe the drug has to be made illegal, as well as any close chemical compound. Perhaps, Government, in conjunction with medical professionals and experts in this field, can immediately ban the present compound whilst putting together a strategy that will make it very difficult for unscrupulous dealers to continue selling a similar compound.
If you want to help I would suggest at least registering your concerns at the Number 10 e-petition and join the Facebook group. Raise it with your local MP or MLAs, or Local Councillors. There needs to be action taken and quickly.
