**Head teachers have called for urgent action over the legal drug mephedrone following the death of two teenagers.**The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) says it has the same dangers as any Class A drug and the government should consider a ban.
Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, died on Monday after taking the drug. Police made three arrests.
The government has asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to examine the dangers and report back.
Plant food
NAHT general secretary, Mick Brooks, told the BBC the use of the drug had become more widespread.
He said: "This drug clearly has the same inherent dangers as any Class A drug and I think serious consideration should be given to banning it.
“The problem with that is that you then criminalise the people who take it, so we need to think very carefully about what we do, but act with some speed.”
Some heads say the drug should be made illegal immediately - even if it risks some children getting a criminal record.
Schools have become increasingly worried that because the drug is legal, children as young as 12 are trying it.
Marketed as plant food, it is called M-Cat, Mieow and Bubble on the streets.
‘Palpitations’
Websites selling the drug have told their customers it is a case of “when” not “if” mephedrone will be banned.
The two teenagers that died were found collapsed at their homes after a night out in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire.
Humberside Police said the drug appeared to have contributed to their deaths. They had been out drinking in the hours before their deaths.
Two men, aged 26 and 20, and a 17-year-old boy have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Post-mortem examinations are being carried out.
The substance has become popular on the UK club scene in recent months. Its side-effects are said to include psychosis, palpitations, burning throat, nose bleeds and insomnia.
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