Families mourn sons who died after taking recreational drug

Nicholas Smith, 19, a trainee chef at the upmarket Winteringham Fields restaurant in North Lincolnshire, and his 18-year-old friend Louis Wainwright, were found dead within hours of each other on Monday after a night out in Scunthorpe.

Police are linking to the deaths to a substance also known as "M-CAT" or "meow meow", which has become one of the most widely-used recreational drugs in Britain.

Mr Smith's family yesterday joined those calling for mephedrone to be outlawed, with his father Tony saying it was "shameful" it had not been banned.

His mother Elaine, a nurse, said she was shocked the drug was openly on sale.

She described her son as "the most gorgeous, kind, fun-loving, considerate son that you could wish for" and added: "He was doing well at work and to the best of our knowledge was not taking drugs, we had no reason to suspect he was taking anything."

Mr Wainwright's family said they were "devastated" by his death.

"Louis was such a fun-loving and caring boy who would do anything for his family and friends," his mother Jacqui said in a statement :

"He had a fantastic personality, he was always somebody who made people laugh and was a popular lad.

"Louis was working hard towards a career in engineering. He loved his job and worked very hard."

The "legal high", which comes in powder form and is snorted or taken orally, is sold over the internet or by street dealers.

Its rapid rise in popularity has been linked to its cheapness, easy availability and legality.

In February the clubbing magazine Mixmag christened mephedrone "the UK's favourite new drug" but warnings about its dangers have been made by health professionals and police following a series of incidents.

These include a sixth-form pupil at Woldgate School in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, who spent a night in hospital in January when he collapsed after taking the drug.

Its side-effects are said to include psychosis, weight loss, insomnia, headaches, nose bleeds, and the discolouration of knees and hand joints which can turn purple.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is expected to deliver a report into drugs, including mephedrone, at the end of the month.

Humberside Police Chief Constable Tim Hollis, the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on drugs, said a decision to make mephedrone illegal may be "correct" but would not eradicate the problem.

But he said banning the drug would send out a "clear message" to young people and give police powers to take action against those possessing and supplying the substance.

"The deaths of these two young men highlights a national problem and the clear message is 'don't take substances which are potentially so dangerous. Please enjoy your night out but go safely home'." Police said the pair had been drinking and may also have taken the heroin substitute methadone.

Both were said to have had a bright future.

Colin McGurran, Winteringham Fields's owner and head chef, said his staff were devastated. Mr McGurran said: "I taught him (Nicholas) everything, from the very basics - how to pick up a knife. From then on he's shown absolutely huge potential. His standard was amazing."

Four people – two men aged 26, a 20-year-old man, and a youth aged 17 – have been arrested in connection with the incident.