Meow Meow to be made illegal within weeks

Popular legal party drug Meow Meow and "all similar products" will be made illegal in the coming weeks, according to health director general Ray Busuttil.

Last April, when the UK banned the substance, it was announced that the police were also seeking to declare it illegal but the authorities were still discussing how best to tackle the situation.

"Work is in progress to redraft legislation to ensure mephedrone and similar products that may come on the market in the future will be covered," Dr Busuttil said when contacted.

The authorities hope to ensure the ban does not prompt a series of derivatives of the drug to enter the country as happened in the UK.

According to experts, the drug is being used by about 40 to 50 per cent of Maltese drug taking partygoers.

International media reports said Meow Meow was being mass produced in China and, although the UK ban reduced its availability, it also prompted manufacturers to step up their creativity with various derivatives.

a Justice Ministry spokesman said this was an issue for "medical, pharmaceutical and law enforcement expertise". "At present, the consultations on this subject between the stakeholders mentioned are under way."

Sources said discussions were, in fact, ongoing with the Attorney General and scientists to ensure the redrafted law would be worded in a fully comprehensive way, not to allow loopholes. Once an agreement is reached, the ban will come into force automatically with a legal notice, empowering the police to begin taking action against users.

The law lists various drugs and deems all their derivatives illegal. However, it is not specific about mephedrone, the technical term for Meow Meow.

The drug has been described as very similar to ecstasy and cocaine and is sold over the internet as plant food for about €10 per gram. It is commonly snorted or diluted in drinks and produces euphoric effects, although user reports have said it has disturbing after effects.

It has also been linked with several deaths, particularly in the UK, especially in cases where it was taken with other drugs or copious amounts of alcohol.

Drug experts, even those known for their liberal approach, have argued that the drug is extremely dangerous because it is untested and people do not know what the right dose should be. Its contents and long-term effects are also unknown.