Mephedrome or MKat is the newest drug of abuse among young adults, according to Narconon drug rehab center. The drug is a synthetic stimulant with similar properties to methamphetamine and MDMA or ecstasy. Mephedeome is manufactured in China and comes in many forms including powder or tablets. Users abuse the drug by swallowing it, injecting it or snorting it.
Several colleges across the country have printed articles about the abuse of MKat because the drug has become so popular and is easily accessible across many campuses. However, many are not warned of the dangers and addictive potential of the drug as there have been deaths related to MKat as well as many side effects associated with the drug similar to those found when taking Ecstasy or methamphetamine.
Currently MKat is covered under the United States Controlled Substances Act which allows “any chemical "substantially similar" to an illegal drug (in Schedule I or II) to be treated as if it were also in Schedule I or II, but only if it is intended for human consumption.”
Unfortunately this covers the use and sale of the drug for human use but does not cover one of the primary forms the drug is found in; bath salts.
Narconon drug rehab, a residential drug and alcohol treatment program, has seen a clear increase in the abuse of drugs like MKat because of the price and availability. The facility says that many years ago methamphetamine abuse was very common, and now MKat is emerging as a new drug with similar properties.
“Instead of regular street drugs, what is emerging as the more common drugs of abuse are drugs like prescriptions and ‘legal’ drugs like MKat and Salvia. This is evident especially with younger users,” says Derry Hallmark Certified Chemical Dependence Counselor and Senior Director for Expansion for Narconon Arrowhead. “If this keeps up with common trends, many users will destroy themselves on these drugs or end up on harder drugs like heroin, methamphetamine and Ecstasy. Either way it’s a dead-end street for the users.”
MKat users say the drugs have similar effects to other stimulants and the effects last for 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how it’s used.
For more information on MKat abuse or methamphetamine abuse or to get help for yourself or a loved one contact Narconon today at 800-468-6933 or log onto www.methamphetamineaddiction.com.