A LEGAL drug involved in the deaths of two teenagers is being sold on the region’s streets, a Leader investigation has revealed.

Politicians and parents across Flintshire and Wrexham are urging the Government to ban the sale of fertiliser-based drug mephedrone, which is currently legal and said to be popular among teenagers and young people.

The drug, also known as miaow miaow and M-Cat, produces a similar effect to ecstacy and can be bought and sold over the internet.

It was taken by teenagers Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, who collapsed and died in Scunthorpe after a night out on Monday.

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami said he has been approached by parents in Deeside who fear their children could be the next victims.

He added: “The calls I have had from many Deeside mums are very alarming.

“Miaow miaow has been linked to the death of a teenager and to the bizarre case of a boy tearing off his scrotum due to the hallucinogenic properties of it.

“I am calling on the Government’s drug tsar, Professor Les Iversen, to reclassify the drug so that it cannot be purchased legally.

“From what I have gathered, miaow miaow is being bought and sold on the streets of Deeside.

“Parents are scared and teenagers are at risk of serious harm.

“We need to take action fast to prevent this drug from proliferating any further into other parts of Flintshire.”

One fearful Deeside mum, who asked not to be named, told the Leader: “It is absolutely rife in Deeside. There are kids taking it all over the place and I am terrified every time my son leaves the house.

“I have heard about teenagers as young as 14 selling it to children even younger than them.

“It’s so scary and something needs to be done to make the drug illegal as soon as possible, before a child in this area dies.”

Wrexham councillor Keith Gregory said that together with fellow councillors Marc Jones and Carrie Harper he was already trying to establish a public forum looking at the issue of drugs use in the Caia Park area.

Cllr Gregory feared mephedrone was yet another danger to the community, especially young people.

“It is here in Wrexham now. The kids know that they can get it on the internet.

“Action needs to be taken to stop this as soon as possible.

“There are already drugs problems, with paraphernalia such as used needles being found lying around in public places,” he added.

Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones is also calling for measures to be taken to restrict the availability of mephedrone as soon as possible.

He told the Leader: “As there seems to be growing concern about this drug, it sounds to me like it should be on the list of controlled substances.

“As with all designer drugs, it seems to take a while for controls to catch up with them.

“Let’s put it on the list of controlled drugs and sort out the precise details afterwards.”

A North Wales Police spokesman said: “We are asking people not to confuse the word legal with the word safe.

“Just because mephedrone is not yet illegal there are still dangers that may go hand in hand with the use of this substance and we would advise that people avoid using it.”

What is mephedrone?

- It is a fertiliser which comes in powder or capsule form when taken as a drug

- It causes hallucinations and makes users feel excited

- Mephedrone is extremely addictive and can cause nose bleeds, teeth grinding and heart palpitations.

- High usage can also cause blood vessels to narrow and bring on cardiac arrests

- Among its street names are MC, miaow miaow, 4MMC, plant fertiliser, plant food, drone, bubbles, meph, charge and bounce.

What do you think?  Should mephedrone be made illegal?  Let us know by leaving a comment below.