MEPHEDRONE EMERGENCE IN SOUTHERN WALES

1. MEPHEDRONE EMERGENCE IN SOUTHERN WALES Inspector Alex Chadd All Wales Substance Misuse Police Coordinator Welsh Government

2. Regional Mephedrone Problem Profile

3. Overview

4. Overview During 2011/12 offences involving mephedrone increased by 83% (289 to 530) A further sharp increase in 2012/13 of 165% when compared to the same period last year (147 to 390) Indicating that mephedrone is more than twice as prevalent in Wales as it was 12 months ago Mephedrone became established very quickly in the recreational drugs user population and re-classification seems to have had little impact on popularity The increasing trend began in October 2011 possibly because mephedrone became more attractive to problem drug users due to ease of availability, low price and positive image of the drug

5. Prevalence The increase in the last year has overwhelmingly been in the South Wales area, primarily in Llanelli, Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff and Newport Police records do not show that this problem has begun to impact on North Wales yet Areas of high prevalence in 2012 are Swansea, Newport, Llanelli, Bridgend, Ebbw Vale and Bridgend Areas of higher prevalence of mephedrone offences appear to correlate primarily with rural areas and urban areas of higher depravation Research shows that people tend to use mephedrone in their own or other people’s homes. Drugs parties are a common event in user/dealer’s homes across South Wales

6. Mephedrone Prevalence in 2012

7. Image of Mephedrone • In Wales there is a perception that mephedrone is a ‘party’ drug and the dangers are not the same as heroin • Some youth offenders and individuals in treatment programmes have switched to mephedrone in the belief that it is will not be picked up by tests to detect drug use • Heroin addicts view mephedrone as a ‘safe’ way to get off heroin, as it helps reduce withdrawal symptoms • The drug seems to be popular with youths and has the image of being a ‘fun’ drug

8. Image of Mephedrone Cyrenians Survey of Mephedrone Users (Swansea) “It’s the best drug and the worst drug I’ve ever taken” Positive "It made me fly" "High straight away" "100% better than heroin" "Makes me horny as hell" "Best thing I have ever taken" "Great for getting off heroin" "It takes away the cluck off heroin" “I felt seriously loved up” Negative Complete loss of memory “I ate a daddy long legs and a beetle. I don't remember doing it” Sleeplessness "Bad trips“ Hallucinations & Paranoia "You can smell it in your pores“ Nausea “I slept for 2 days after it” “Once you start, you can’t stop” “Worst drug I’ve ever taken. It’s evil”

9. Source of Mephedrone in Wales • There are at least 20 suppliers able to source wholesale (kilogram) quantities of mephedrone in the Southern Wales area • Suppliers appear to order large quantities mephedrone on-line which are arriving through post and parcel services • Main supply hubs reflect the established Class A hubs (e.g. Liverpool, Newport, Cardiff & Bristol) with dealers picking up mephedrone alongside heroin or cocaine • The majority of users are sourcing the drugs from dealers, friends or family • It is unlikely that mephedrone is being made in Wales

10. Risk Assessment UK: 60 confirmed & 125 suspected mephedrone fatalities between September 2009 & August 2011 13 of the confirmed deaths resulted from suicide by hanging, which is a significantly higher rate than with other stimulant drugs Wales: 2 of the above confirmed fatalities occurred in Wales. During the last 12 months there have been a further 3-5 related fatalities (at least 3 were suicides) Users experience severe psychological and behavioural effects as well as risks to physical health The psychological impact of the drug can impact very quickly and have long term psychological side effects, including psychosis, paranoid, depression, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts

11. Risk Assessment • Injecting mephedrone has become widespread in Southern Wales increasing the risk as dissolved stimulant powders re-crystallise within the veins and can cause serious damage or blockages • Mephedrone is twice as corrosive as cocaine on the membrane/septum when snorted and collapses the vein three times faster than heroin when injected • Mephedrone is addictive with users experiencing cravings and uncontrollable need to take more (fiending) • Effects include insomnia, headaches, excessive sweating, heart palpitations, excessive teeth grinding, numbness of fingers and agitation • High doses of the drug can lead to fits, memory loss and potentially fatal heart or breathing problems and brain damage

12. Risk Assessment Increased aggression and violent behaviour has also been reported on numerous occasions often linked to the ‘come down’ All Southern Wales forces report incidents of domestic disturbances or assaults mainly involving youths who were mephedrone users A number of assaults across the region can be linked to mephedrone use, often in combination with alcohol or the night-time economy. In several cases the offenders have had no previous history of violence It is likely that mephedrone is also impacting on vulnerability in relation to sexual offences and missing persons to some extent There is information from each Force area that a number of mephedrone users have committed offences in order to fund their habits

13. Vulnerable Groups • Children & Young People – influenced most by the image of mephedrone, more likely to experiment with unknown ‘white powers’ and being actively targeted by dealers (offering tasters to school children for under £1) • Problematic Drug Users – Intravenous heroin users are at increased risk due to the image of mephedrone as an aid to coming off heroin and reducing withdrawal symptoms • Existing Mental Health Issues - Those already suffering with poor mental health may also be at increased risk as mephedrone seems to exacerbate existing conditions and has been linked to a disproportionate number of suicides than other stimulants • NEETs - Unemployed males and females aged 16-24 years may me most at risk of becoming mephedrone dealers given the current state of the jobs market in many areas of Wales, particularly if they are already recreationally using drugs

14. Update – January 2013 • Mephedrone offences increased dramatically throughout 2012 in the 3 Southern Wales Forces (1,053 offences in 2012).During the last 3 months of 2012 mephedrone offences remained high, only falling slightly in December. • Llanelli, Swansea, Bridgend, Newport and Blaenau Gwent remain hotspots in Southern Wales. • The problem appears to have begun to emerge in the Llanelli and Swansea areas first before spreading to Bridgend and northwest to Pontypridd, Merthyr, and Blaenau Gwent. • Offences in Newport have been more stable during the last year, however both Newport and Caerphilly areas have shown an increase in December not mirrored in other areas. • Levels of mephedrone offences in Cardiff have remained low and stable throughout the last 2 years. This may indicate that mephedrone is not catching on in the cities due to better availability and quality of cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.

15. Update – January 2013

16. Update – January 2013 • Mephedrone continues to be the popular drug at house parties, licensed premises and amongst college and school students. • Intelligence continues to indicate that young people are being specifically targeted with many dealers targeting schools, offering ‘free starts’ or offering the drug in return for sexual acts. • Intelligence is regularly being received in all Force areas indicating a strong causal link between mephedrone use and acquisitive and violence crime. • A significant number of Prolific & Priority Offenders (PPOs) are using mephedrone, particularly those that were previously injecting heroin. Many PPOs have indicated that they are committing offences under the influence of and to fund their mephedrone habit.

17. Update – January 2013 • In Carmarthenshire mephedrone is believed to be becoming less fashionable and may be past its peak usage time. • More intelligence s being received regarding Naphyrone (NRG) in Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr and RCT but tests indicate that the drugs siezed is mainly Mephedrone. • It is likely that suppliers are marketing mephedrone as NRG, as naphyrone is currently more in demand due to its ‘newness’ appeal and the negative effects are still relatively unknown. • In RCT and Merthyr seizures made during stop searches indicates that mephedrone seems to be the drug of choice for ‘boy racers’.

18. Update – January 2013 More organised crime groups are becoming involved in trafficking mephedrone and other new psychoactive substances (NPS). However, the vast majority of mephedrone dealers appear to have a localised impact, obtaining smaller amounts frequently (rather than kilo quantities) and dealing to a known network of local users. Several on-line websites believed to be based in possibly Wales but definitely UK are offering same day deliveries on orders of ‘legal highs’ including NRG-2 in 1 gm to 10 gm weights There is still no agreed field test for mephedrone that can be applied to drug seizures or used by individuals to confirm use.

19. From a local town - Barry • Clients can be very grey in complexion instantly. Several clients have had very bad mouth ulcers/bitten tongues.    • A service user said that amphetamine is being replaced with Mcat, its cheap and costs about £5 a gram. Its is now very difficult to buy Amphetamine in Barry as  people are dealing M-CAT.  Another service user said that M-CAT costs £10 gram. Other clients, who have admitted to using M-CAT, have paid £5. • Agencies are seeing most needle exchange cases as for M-CAT. Old users are even trying IV for the first time to use M-CAT only. • Clients are presenting at the service heavily intoxicated and presenting in a manner that is  aggressive and confrontational at times. The level of paranoia is high too. A culture where they are using together in gangs – all IV use. Clients are also falling out with each other more due to intoxication/stimulant crash. Lots accusing each other of thefts, etc.  

20. More from a local town – “Drone Strikes” article • Freddie, 48 from Barry, ex Army, unemployed, five children. • He is a long term amphetamine injector over the past 24 years. • He started injecting mephedrone in March. • Mephedrone injecting is going to be huge, because it’s so lush. When I first • injected mephedrone, it took me off my feet. It’s an immense overwhelming • buzz. I went on a three month binge. At the end of it I was so wrecked I couldn’t • stop crying for two days, all the emotions flooded out of me. I never usually cry. • I couldn’t stop. I take it whenever I have the money, me and my girlfriend have • 3 bags a day (cost £10 for 0.7g).Every spare penny after food and water goes • on mephedrone. I get ulcers. Mephedrone injecting is huge in Barry. Most of • my friends are doing it, a lot of those who usually use heroin. It’s a close knit • community so word spreads quick. I steered clear of crack because I was scared • of getting hooked. Don’t think I’m addicted to mephedrone, just like it. Once it’s in • front of me I have to have it all.

21. More from SE Wales – Drone Strikes • “I spoke to a GP in the Valleys who has seen lots of horrible mephedrone injecting injuries. – skin and muscle removed because of abscesses” • Drug injectors are presenting in Vale, Rhondda, Bridgend, Pembroke Dock, Caerphilly, Valleys up to Merthyr……..

22. From Swansea • A male person, 21 years in custody today. Sent inappropriate text messages to a government employee who reported him and as a result binged on Neds and has set fire to a caravan and pick up truck unrelated to the worker. • A male, 22yrs binge on Neds arrested public order and discovered in cell having removed the hairs from his legs/ His relative 23 yrs also addicted to Neds both intravenous users self harm and suicidal. • 3 A female 24yrs arrested public order injected Neds went into cardiac arrest whilst in Swansea Custody. • 4. Male arrested for two knifepoint store robberies same day after two day binge on Neds. Stated had no recollection of either event but was detained by member of public at second robbery. • 5. Two juvenile’s 15years u/k to police found at Singleton Park at 09:00hrs unconscious in boxer shorts having been binging Neds the previous evening. • 6 A juvenile 17 years numerous attempts of threats to commit suicide eventually sectioned after consuming Neds.

23. Gwent Police – Op Regent • Dealing to school children • Dealer Linked to existing OCG’s • Dealer driving up localised acquisitive crime • Dealer linked to sexual offences and exploitation • Dealer linked to harm/serious illness • Dealers obtaining via internet and overseas

24. South Wales Police • Excellent examples of drugs information and enforcement initiatives delivered by PCSO’s particularly around schools. • Leading the region by hosting a NEDS group to promote good practice and consistency • Tarian and SWP linking with Welsh Government drug and Health Groups at Strategic and Tactical levels

25. Dyfed Powys Police • Impact days, targeting dealers. • Focussed mephedrone enforcement work in Carmarthenshire and selected areas across Force area • Regional Intelligence Unit • Operations into website activity • Linking with UKBF and SOCA with dynamic intelligence sharing

29. Mephedrone in the media • Source : Wales Online (24/09/2012) – South Wales taxi driver who had been flooding the South Wales area with Mephedrone was jailed for two years. Had over six kilos of Meow in his vehicle when stopped by police on the M4. • Source : South Wales Argus (22/12/2012) – A leading Welsh coroner has stated that the myth surrounding Mephedrone being a safe party drug must be dispelled. The message must be that it is a dangerous drug and it can kill. This followed the death of a 26 year old male in Dyfed Powys during to toxic levels of Mephedrone being found in his system. • Source : South Wales Argus (20/02/2013) – The family of a 24 year old Pontnewydd man who died just days after taking the party drug Meow Meow, has been described as a brilliant dad by his family. • Source : BBC News Wales (27/11/2012) – BBC News has found that drug dealers based overseas are posting potentially illegal drugs to users in Wales. Mephedrone has become more popular in Wales than anywhere else in Britain. Rachel Wood of Newport said she became addicted to the drug and ended up homeless as a result. She also said she would have died if she had continued to take the drug on a regular basis, and together with other ex-users they warn that the drug is having a devastating effect on the streets of Wales

30. Partnerships – Local to Global