Senior officer in appeal for information on meow meow dealers
POLICE have hailed the Evening Post for highlighting the increasing problem of the drug meow meow in Swansea — and issued a new appeal for people with information about dealers to contact them.
In a series of features this week, police, hospital staff, drug agencies and even users have told of the dangers of the drug which was only outlawed two years ago.
-
Superintendent Phil Davies
Officers have spoken of serious concerns about the rising use of the drug, otherwise known as mephedrone, and the effect it was having on the city — particularly its association with violence.
Staff at Morriston Hospital confirmed they are seeing more and more people admitted to their Accident and Emergency department having taken the drug, and also highlighted the violence that is associated with it.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
The features followed an admission by Swansea Superintendent Phil Davies that South Wales Police have witnessed a big increase in its use over the past 12 months, and are facing daily issues with people taking the drug. And he has now reiterated his warning about meow meow — and urged anyone with information about its use to contact police.
Mr Davies, head of operational policing in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, said: "The Evening Post has helped to raise the profile of the issue of meow meow use in our part of south Wales, and we are grateful for that. We have also welcomed information we have received from the public about meow meow use, and want to thank those who have come forward.
"There are massive health issues around meow meow. We are seeing people who have taken meow meow becoming involved with violence, and having no memory of doing so.
"It is a dangerous, powerful stimulant, being sold by some dealers as a 'party drug', but that could not be further from the truth. We are seeing people arrested and hospitalised through its use every day.
"I would just like to urge members of the public keeping getting in touch, and tell us what you know, to help us keep this nasty drug off our streets."
Mr Davies said he had spoken to colleagues in Bridgend and Cardiff about meow meow use, and that the drug was only a major issue in the western half of the force.
It is believed one of the problems in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot is heroin users switching to mephedrone, because the supply of heroin on the streets has been dramatically cut following the police's ongoing Heroin Ruins Lives blitz.
Police in Carmarthenshire have expressed similar concerns as the popularity of the drug continues to soar, with Dyfed-Powys Police recording a 400 per cent rise in offences involving the drug.
The head of Swansea Drugs Project, Ifor Glyn, revealed that in 20 years of experience, he had never seen a drug become so popular so quickly.
Mr Glyn said: "I have never seen a drug become so widespread and so quickly. It has taken me by surprise. The side effects are similar to ecstasy, amphetamine and cocaine. Users have been injecting it. They have been complaining of abscesses, of it burning when they've injected, and of their veins collapsing, it is quite horrific. People don't know what is in it — it is made entirely of chemicals."
The project is hosting another education session about meow meow, open to everyone, on October 25, at 2pm.
Anyone with queries or concerns about meow or any other drugs can contact the project on 01792 472002.
Anyone with information for police should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.
Comments
by Neathboy234
Sunday, October 07 2012, 12:59PM
“intelligent1 OMG where do u live, it must be a rough area, i feel sorry for U”
by intelligent1
Sunday, October 07 2012, 12:44PM
“Well Mr Phil Davies - I have contacted the police numerous times about drugs being sold in my street and so far your police authority has done sod all about it - how about contacting me to let me know why instead of pretending that you are doing everything you can about it on pathetic articles like this”
by Neathboy234
Sunday, October 07 2012, 9:35AM
“Until we eliminate the filth that is cigarettes, we cannot possible tackle harder drugs. Every drug taker starts off on fags, and then over time moves on to harder stuff.
BTW It's just my opinion but anyone who wants banning orders removed on drugs must be out of their tiny mind.”
by geoboy01
Sunday, October 07 2012, 9:29AM
“i cant believe that there are so many morons out there selling this toxic poison to school kids
this is a huge problem as the stuff is so cheap to buy,with kids thinking its cool to do this drug, mr policeman phil davies should should put police officers outside school gates(with permission off school and parents) with the intention of asking kids to grass up the scum dealers in death!”
by formulafreddy
Sunday, October 07 2012, 6:51AM
“So banning it really got it under control and solved all the problems, right??? If not then why do the media, police and government keep pushing such a brain-dead solution (prohibition) that has the exact opposite to the intended effect? Remember, there were zero confirmed deaths from methedrone /before/ it was banned. Banning it has increased the likelyhood of even more toxic adulterants and accidental overdose. Now we see deaths. Now the police have to "appeal" to find the mysterious dealers wheras before it was banned the vendors were easily contactable if requied. Calling banned substances "controlled drugs" is an oxymoran, unless one considers amatears and criminals running the whole show to be "control".”