Youngsters of Mumbai high on a new drug 'meow meow'

Mumbai: Mumbai’s youngsters are hooked onto the new drug in town, ‘Meow Meow’. Mumbai’s rave scene is getting high on the new drug, and the city’s bands are said to be heavily into it. The drug is gaining popularity as it is just a click away, it can be ordered online and will be delivered to your doorstep. What has increased its consumption and circulation is that the drug is not in the list of banned drugs under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NCB) Act, 1958. In the last two months, Drug Abuse Information, Rehabilitation and Research Centre (DAIRRC) has received 30 cases of meow meow addiction, of the total 40 cases received. Dr Yusuf Merchant, the president of DAIRRC, said that most cases were in the age group of 16-26 years, with twelve of them being women. According to Dr Merchant, meow meow is mephedrone, a powerful recreational drug that addicts take for effects similar to amphetamines and ecstasy. Cheap and easy to procure: The drug costs Rs. 150 per gram, which is much cheaper than cocaine, which costs at least Rs. 3,000 per gram. Unlike other drugs which are bought from peddlers and dealers, meow meow can be ordered online via Internet pharmacy websites. Once payment is received, it is supplied at the customer’s address. It is also sold in few grams as plant fertilisers, to avoid scrutiny from law enforcers. When mephedrone (meow meow) is snorted, it only takes a few minutes to take effect. When swallowed, its effects can take more than half an hour to show up Side effects of meow meow: Like other drugs, even mephedrone has side effects like loss of appetite, muscle clenching and tremors, headache, anxiety, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat, difficulty in urinating, changes in body temperature and blue/cold fingers. Where meow meow is banned: Meow meow is banned in countries like Israel since 2008 and Europe since 2010, it isn’t directly banned in Australia and New Zealand but it is illegal.