Health Insurance Comparison Site Quoteboffin.co.uk Welcomes UK Mephedrone Ban

Released on: April 30, 2010, 4:39 am
Author: QueryCLick LTD
Industry: Healthcare

Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant also known as Meow, Bubbles and MCAT, has been banned in the UK and a representative from Quoteboffin.co.uk has welcomed the news, claiming it will benefit the NHS and healthcare providers across the country.

The representative explained that the laboratory-produced drug had the potential to prove a huge drain on the UK’s health resources, and that Quoteboffin thereby supported the recent ban.

While research into the drug - which is derived from cathinone, a compound found in a plant called Khat - is incomplete, the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs announced it a harmful substance and recommended the ban.

Producing a feeling similar to those experienced by people taking drugs of the amphetamine family, mephedrone has been likened to cocaine and ecstasy. The sensations it produces can include an increased heart rate, anxiety and a sense of euphoria. Associated effects include nausea, palpitations and vomiting, reports the BBC.

Up to 25 deaths have been linked to the drug although their connection has not been conclusively scientifically proven.

The drug and related compounds have been reclassified as class B drugs. This is the same category as cannabis and represents the second most dangerous kind of drug.

A Quoteboffin spokesman said: "Successful measures to cut down on illegal drug use have a wide-raging positive effect on the health care providers across the UK. Drugs such as mephadone can produce a huge drain on NHS resources as people who become ill through illegal drug can often need emergency or even long-term treatment. This can also have an effect on health insurance prices and can drive up the cost of policies for everyone.

"We welcome the ban and encourage people to think carefully about what they put in their bodies."

Individuals and businesses known to be the selling the drug before the ban came into place were approached by the police, who asked them to voluntarily surrender their supplies. A number of websites that had been legally selling the drug as plant food also went offline.

Anyone found carrying the drug runs the risk of being arrested and prosecuted and could face up to five years in prison, under the new classification rules. However, police are initially looking to crack down on dealers and anyone convicted of dealing or trafficking the drug could face up to 14 years behind bars.

"The severity of the potential sentences indicates to us how seriously the police are taking the threat of mephedrone," Quoteboffin explained.

"This should make people think twice about having anything to do with the drug. We hope this will have a beneficial effect in cutting the number of people making themselves ill and needing medical attention when they had planned to enjoy a good night out."

About QuoteBoffin
Quoteboffin.co.uk is an online insurance comparison website offering life insurance comparison tools that allow users to search the market and procure the best life insurance policies and quotes.

QuoteBoffin.co.uk was launched in February 2010 and is a trading style of David and Co Consultants Limited.

Contact:
QuoteBoffin.co.uk
MMT Centre
Severn Bridge
Aust
Bristol
BS35 4BL
email: enquiries@quoteboffin.co.uk
http://quoteboffin.co.uk/