EU wants ban on killer drug suspect 'meow meow'

The European Commission Wednesday called for a ban on suspected killer drug mephedrone, a popular ecstasy-like party drug known as "meow meow", sold on the Internet and available in 12 EU nations.

Mephedrone, already illegal in 15 European Union nations, has been linked to 37 deaths in Britain and Ireland alone and appears to be the sole cause of two deaths in the EU, Commission spokesman Matthew Newman said at a news conference.

"We need to react quickly," he said.

Sold in powder form, capsules or tablets by streets dealers, or over the web posing as bath salts or plant fertiliser, its effects are comparable to ecstasy or cocaine -- but at only 10 to 15 euros a gram.

"Mephedrone is a dangerous drug," said Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding. "I urge governments to move fast to control and criminalise it."

Also known as "bubble" or "neodove", it has been banned in Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania and Sweden.

(c) 2010 AFP