Families mourn victims of legal but deadly drug

Nicholas Smith and Lois Waters died in separate incidents linked to the so-called "legal high", sparking widespread concern over the use of the drug.

Mephedrone, which is also known as M-Cat or Meow Meow, has emerged as the drug of choice for many involved in Britain's dance music scene and gives a similar high to ecstasy. However, it has been linked to up to 25 deaths in England and Scotland.

Family and friends braved cold temperatures and sleet at Woodlands Crematorium in Scunthorpe yesterday to pay their respects to Mr Smith, 19, from Winterton, near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, who died along with his friend Louis Wainwright, 18, on March 15 after a night out in the town.

In another service held in Malton in North Yorkshire, about 150 mourners gathered to pay tribute to Miss Waters, 24, who was found dead at a friend's house in Norton, which neighbours Malton, on Monday last week.

North Yorkshire Police have confirmed she had taken mephedrone in the 48 hours before her death but tests are continuing to determine exactly why she died.

Ahead of the service in Scunthorpe, the crowd fell silent and many wiped away tears as the funeral cortege approached. Mourners were led by Mr Smith's mother and father, Tony and Elaine, and siblings, Matt and Holly.

Twin sister Holly was comforted by her parents, who held hands as their son's casket was lifted from the hearse.

Mr Smith's brother Matt was among the pallbearers who carried the coffin, topped with yellow and peach floral arrangements, into the crematorium.

After the 20-minute service, family and friends left to attend a private church service at All Saints' Church in Winterton. Floral tributes were left at Woodlands.

A card on one bouquet, from Mr Smith's grandmother, read: "In loving memory my beautiful boy. May you shine in heaven ever more. Broken-hearted, Gran x."

Mr Wainwright's funeral is due to take place today.

The service for Miss Waters saw scores of mourners, including her grieving mother, Alison, and sisters Carmen and Joni, packed into St Peter's Church.

They gathered to say a poignant farewell to the young woman, who worked at the Malton Bacon Factory and was described by devastated friends as the "life and soul of the party".

Her coffin was bedecked in floral tributes – the most striking of which was a large arrangement of spring-like yellow flowers which spelled out the word "daughter".

A card attached to the flowers read: "Goodnight my darling Lois you're gone, but never forgotten. You will always be in our hearts and thoughts save a place for me. We will miss you so much and love you forever. Eternal love Dad and Mum xxxxxx."

After the private 45-minute service, Mr Water's coffin was carried to the rear of the small church for a burial.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson announced on Monday that an immediate import ban had been enforced for mephedrone, and its sale will be completely outlawed when it is designated a Class B drug within weeks.

RAPID RISE TO POPULARITY IN CLUBS

The rise in popularity of mephedrone on Britain's club scene has been rapid – although many remain ambivalent to its dangers.

Many have switched from illegal drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine to the powerful legal high, although a series of deaths has prompted the Government to outlaw it.

It is sold as a white powder which is usually snorted in a similar way to cocaine, and is also found in capsules and pills or can be dissolved in a liquid.

The effects have been described as a mix between ecstasy and cocaine, and users claim they feel more alert, confident and talkative, but the effects wearing off rapidly.