13 people charged with possessing mephedrone

POLICE charged 13 people with possession of mephedrone over one year in Lothian and Borders, new figures have shown.

The individuals were charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act with possessing the former “legal high”, which was banned in April 2010.

One person was charged with supplying the drug during the same period.

In 2010, it was revealed that the number of people taking the then legal high mephedrone had “skyrocketed” like no other drug before, with experts warning of thousands of regular users in Edinburgh.

Drug counsellors said the substance had far outstripped cocaine or ecstasy in the speed with which it has become prevalent across in the Capital.

Mephedrone users have reported short-term side effects including sweating, headaches, heart palpitations, nausea and cold or blue fingers. Mephedrone was initially available from shops and websites.