EMCDDA and Europol step up information collection on mephedrone (26.02.2010)
Synthetic cathinones are increasingly being reported to the EMCDDA and Europol via the EU early-warning system (EWS). These ‘designer’ compounds, structurally related to amphetamine, are derivatives of the parent compound cathinone, one of the psychoactive ingredients found in khat.
Some 15 synthetic cathinones are currently being monitored through the EWS, among these mephedrone. On 20 January, following an examination of the available information on mephedrone to date, the EMCDDA and Europol agreed to launch a formal procedure to collect further information on the substance in accordance with the Council Decision on the information exchange, risk assessment and control of new psychoactive substances. This will lead to the production of an EMCDDA–Europol Joint report to be presented to the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Medicines Agency. On the basis of this report, a decision can be taken on whether or not to launch a formal risk-assessment procedure on the substance.
