Manchester Pride and Police have issued warnings about a drug called 'monkey dust' being mis-sold as MDMA at the city's LGBTQ+ celebration.
Event Organisers and Greater Manchester Police have both issued alerts on social media about the issue. "Monkey dust" is the street name for the synthetic cathinone MDPHP. The substance has similar effects to MDMA, the psychoactive ingredient in Ecstasy, and amphetamines such as speed.
'Monkey dust' is currently a Class B scheduled substance, which means it’s illegal possess, give away or sell. Possession can be punished with up to to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. MDMA is Class A scheduled substance, and possession is punishable with up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
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In a warning issued on Friday night, Manchester Pride said that testing by Manchester Drug Analysis & Knowledge Exchange (MANDRAKE) had found "synthetic cathinone MDPHP (aka. Monkey Dust) being mis-sold as powder MDMA circulating at Manchester Pride Festival".
"If unwell please seek medical attention," added Manchester Pride.
In a Facebook post issued in the early hours of this morning, Greater Manchester Police said: "We have been made aware by Manchester Pride of synthetic cathinone (Monkey Dust) being mis-sold as powdered ecstasy
"Following a number of seizures of ecstasy (MDMA) in Manchester City Centre tonight (26 August 2022), MANDRAKE lab testing has found synthetic cathinone (Monkey Dust) being mis-sold as powdered ecstasy (MDMA) which is circulating the Manchester Pride Festival. Please be aware of this and if you feel unwell seek medical attention immediately."
Drugs advisory website Talk to Frank says: "Cathinones can cause feelings of euphoria and empathy as well as increasing alertness and talkativeness. In a situation of only recently-emerging evidence on what are the exact effects and risks each of the different cathinones, it is accepted that they broadly have a balance of effects similar to amphetamines (speed) and to MDMA (ecstasy).
"Cathinones are ‘cousins’ of the amphetamine family of drugs, which includes amphetamine itself (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy), and which have similar effects. Cathinones are the family of related chemicals, including cathinone and many synthetically produced chemicals, like mephedrone, methylone (M1) and MDPV.
"The cathinones’ effects are similar to amphetamines (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy), producing feelings of euphoria and empathy as well as increasing alertness and talkativeness. The negative effects of the cathinone family are also therefore considered to be similar to those of amphetamines and MDMA."
"They risk over-stimulating the heart and circulation and damaging the heart. They risk over-stimulating the nervous system and causing fits. Many cathinones are still new and little is known about them, so the risks from using them are unpredictable.
"They can make you anxious and paranoid. They can reduce inhibitions, which can lead to risky behaviours such as unsafe sex, and accidents."
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