11:35am Friday 19th March 2010
By Catherine Pye
A PARTY drug linked to the deaths of two teenagers has been removed from sale at a Blackburn tobacconist's — as teenagers claimed its use was 'rife' in the town.
The Lancashire Telegraph had earlier revealed that Smoker’s World in Higher Church Street was selling mephedrone, more commonly known by the name Bubble.
But yesterday a shop worker said it had been removed after the concerns over its safety were raised.
The drug is snorted and said to give similar effects to cocaine.
Despite being a plant feed, it was being sold from the tobacconist's alongside tobacco, newspapers, magazines, crisps, sweets and chocolate.
Mephedrone has been linked to the deaths of two Lincolnshire teenagers on Monday who took it during a night out.
The Government is now urgently reviewing whether to make it illegal.
Teenagers in Blackburn town centre yesterday said the drug was well known to them. One 18-year-old girl said: “A lot of people are taking it. I’d say most people are aged between 16 to 23.
“They’re sniffing in it lines, and they’re getting reliant on it.
“One lad I know can’t go a night without taking it, and he’s in counselling.
“It’s also got a really distinctive smell, and it stays on your clothes so there’s a constant reminder.”
Another 18-year-old who asked not to be named, said: “It’s not just a party drug, people are taking it at home or sat round with friends. It’s meant to give you a buzz and keep you up until the early hours of the morning.”
A 17-year-old female student said: “It’s rife. Everyone’s doing it. It’s quite scary actually.”
However, an 18-year-old man said: “I’ve never heard of it and I go out clubbing all over, in Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley.”
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