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Thu 18th March
Head teachers have united to call for urgent action following the deaths of teenagers Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, in England on Monday after taking the drug.
Dr. McDonnell said: “Youth workers across Belfast and drug support groups across Northern Ireland have been warning for several months of the significant increase in the number of young people taking mephedrone.
“‘Mieow’ as it is often known on the street is a plant fertiliser. It is extremely harmful when taken for human consumption and can lead to death. And the fact that it is legal means it is readily accessible even to children.
“During my time as a family GP I have seen at first-hand the destruction and heartache recreational drugs can have on young people and entire families.
“Mephedrone is illegal in Israel, Denmark, Norway and Sweden and there is a strong case for considering a ban here.
“I will be raising this issue in Westminster and will be urging the Government to seriously consider the impact of any action that it does take because the last thing we need is to make it more difficult to protect young people from the sale of this drug.
“What is needed immediately is a proactive Northern Ireland wide education campaign of the harmful affects of this drug both among young people and their parents.
“I will be writing to the Minister for Health and the Minster for Education urging them to lead on and roll out this campaign as a matter of urgency”.
Email
mcdonnella@parliament.uk
Tel 028 9024 2474
Tel 028 90 52 1837
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