Counselor says dangerous 'plant food' gaining popularity among troubled teens

By Staff Writer

A youth addiction counselor warns that a new drug called mephedrone is gaining popularity among teenagers.

According to the Winona Post, the synthetic stimulant - with street nicknames Meow Meow, MCAT and drone - is closely related to the effects of cocaine and ecstasy. Unlike other recreational drugs, mephedrone is legal in the majority of U.S. states.

The counselor said that users of the drug report euphoria and excitability, while some teenage girls use it as an appetite suppressant. He adds that individuals who take the drug may experience heart palpitations, high blood pressure, hallucinations, vomiting, paranoia, severe headaches and seizures. He also said that mephedrone can lead to decreased circulation that, in some cases, can turn extremities purple.

Israel and most European nations have already banned the substance, and some manufacturers will no longer ship the drug to Oregon, North Dakota, Kentucky and Illinois, according to the news provider. Mephadrone is relatively easy to purchase through websites which sell the substance as plant food or pond cleaner.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents.