Brown hints at ban on tragic 'legal high' drug

A BAN on the "legal high" drug linked to a string of deaths, including that of a woman in North Yorkshire, could be proposed within days, Gordon Brown has hinted.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Mar 2010, 10:09 BST

Updated 26th Mar 2010, 10:09 BST

The Prime Minister said the death of 24-year-old Lois Waters, from Malton, was a "tragedy" after she became the third person whose death has been linked to mephedrone.

Mr Brown said he was "ready to take action" when a report from the Government's drug advisory committee is delivered next week.

"We cannot allow situations to develop where people are not aware of both the risk attached to this and also the legal measures that can be taken to deal with it," he said.

"I feel very sorry for the families who've been affected by this."

The drug was also linked to the deaths of Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, in the Scunthorpe area last week.