If Sri Lanka’s fascination with Crystal Methamphetamine – commonly known as ‘Ice’ was not concerning enough with the large quantities of the narcotic found in the island, including some alleged production facilities, yesterday (29) heralded news of another ‘new kid’ on the block, a synthetic stimulant drug by the name ‘Mephedrone’, was found for the first time, authorities said.

Sri Lanka has detected the highly dangerous synthetic stimulant drug ‘Mephedrone’ for the first time, Southern Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Kithsiri Jayalath stated. The drug belongs to the amphetamine and cathinone classes. The discovery was made following an examination by the Government Analyst of the substance recovered from a Moldovan national arrested in Weligama on 21 September. The Government Analyst has issued a report confirming the detection of ‘Mephedrone’. According to the Police, ‘Mephedrone’ is more dangerous than other narcotic drugs such as crystal methamphetamine.

Entering the party drug market in the early 2000s, the UNODC in 2010, labeled Mephedrone – a synthetic drug often touted as a legal alternative to amphetamine or cocaine – has become widespread, with increasing reports coming from Europe, North America and Australia. At the time, the drug Mephedrone – also known as ‘drone’, ‘miaow miaow’ or ‘M-cat’ – was not under international control and the true extent and patterns of its use were unclear and therefore probably underestimated. The drug has been reported to be used in the South Asian region over the last ten years, with the Indian Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai Zonal Unit intercepting nearly 20kg of the white powder-like substance in 2023. According to some sources, Mephedrone is a powerful stimulant and is part of a group of drugs that are closely related to amphetamines, like speed and ecstasy.  Mephedrone can be found as crystallised granules or a fine white, off-white or yellowish powder. Mephedrone is usually used/consumed like cocaine. It can also be found as capsules and pills and can be smoked.  Much less often, mephedrone is injected.

It is important for parents, teachers, coaches, friends and lovers to understand what Mephedrone is. If someone close to you is already addicted to experimenting with the narcotic, it is always best to seek medical advice and or consult law enforcement agencies about addictions for early action to break the cycle. According to the UK’s National Health Service: ‘Mephedrone can make you feel alert, confident, talkative and euphoric – and some people will temporarily feel strong affection to those around them. Mephedrone can also make users feel sick, paranoid and anxious, and it can cause vomiting and headaches.  It can reduce your appetite, so you don’t feel hungry. The effects of mephedrone last for about an hour, but this can vary’. The NHS warns that some users have had severe nosebleeds after snorting mephedrone. It risks overstimulating and damaging your heart and your circulation. Overheating has been a significant cause of deaths when other amphetamine-type drugs, such as ecstasy, have been used along with mephedrone. Injecting or ‘slamming’ can also cause damage to veins and arteries, and may cause ulcers and even gangrene. Other effects that people have reported include heart palpitations, insomnia, loss of short-term memory, vertigo (a form of dizziness), grinding of teeth, sweating and uncomfortable changes in body temperature. Research shows that Mephedrone has a more significant impact on the brain than ecstasy. Mephedrone releases more neurotransmitters, translating to more intense withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, Mephedrone travels to the brain faster than ecstasy, and the body can metabolise the drug out of your system much quicker. Thus, it’s faster and easier to experience a high when taking Mephedrone, which often leads to the user searching for another ‘quick boost’ to get high again. That’s when binging behaviour tends to occur. Abusing Mephedrone like this will lead to one of two outcomes — overdose or eventual mephedrone addiction.

Given the nature of Colombo’s evolving party scene, and the ever-changing nature of party drugs which become available in Sri Lanka, parents, guardians, educators and family should keep a close eye on their children, siblings, friends and students for such behaviour. Authorities, now alerted to the drug being available in the island, should move quickly to map scale and impact, and take evidence-based approaches to curb the new entry into the market of death. The response to the challenge of drug abuse must be a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach, and that also includes society and authorities.