Controversial drug highlighted

Mephedrone, commonly known as "meow meow", is a legal high drug which has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and has reportedly been linked to the deaths of two young people from Northern Ireland.

25-year-old Gavin Thomas Curran from Scarva Walk was charged with possession of a razor blade.

The court heard he had a drug problem, and District Judge Mrs Bernie Kelly confirmed that Mephedrone had been named in a pre-sentence report as a drug Curran had been taking.

A PPS prosecutor explained how on February 8 police received a report at 1.20am of a missing person and concerns about his safety.

Three hours later Curran was found in a laneway at Havelock Park, Banbridge, covered in blood and in a very agitated state.

He threatened police if they tried to come near him and officers noticed that he had a metal object in his hand.

The police armed response unit was called and eventually Curran was taken to Craigavon Hospital.

After sedation Curran was searched and a razor blade was found in his right sock.

A solicitor said his client was a "vulnerable young man" who had a history of mental issues and took a lot of medication.

District Judge Mrs Kelly then responded, "He now has the biggest problem of all and this is his drug of choice."

The solicitor said the offence occurred after a two- week drinking binge.

"He spent a week in St. Luke's and a week in Magheraberry as he was not fit to make a bail application. Since his release he has had some treatment and he is back in the family home. He has some serious issues - issues of self-esteem and depression."

Again Mrs Kelly stated, "Addiction is another issue - I don't understand why people don't link the two - depression and addiction."

She said, "I think it is fairly simple where his problems lie. He needs to get himself alcohol and drug free. He has taken some steps but he now needs to sort out the drugs."

She added, "If he doesn't sort both out he won't get any better."

Curran was conditionally discharged for two years.