A MUM is calling for a ban on ‘legal high’ mephedrone after the death of two teenagers this week.

The concerned mum-of-two from Mirfield has been “through hell and back” since her 17-year-old son started using the drug, also known as MCAT.

She said the substance, which claimed the life of Scunthorpe friends Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, this week, is rife on the streets of Kirklees.

The mum, who does not want to be named to protect her son’s identity, last spoke to the Examiner about her son’s addiction in December last year.

Since then his drug habit has spiralled out of control and he has lost his job and moved out of the family home.

She explained: “He’s lost both his job and his family because of this drug.

“He was stealing from work and he was stealing from us to buy money for it.

“When he got sacked from work I met up with him in town and his skin was green – he had just gone to bits.

“He looked terrible as if he was waiting to die.”

The mum said the drug, known on the streets as miaow miaow, is being sold to children as young as 14.

Her two children have told her it can be bought over the counter, at some bars and off the internet for £15 per gram.

She said: “I’m so scared about what will happen to my son.

“He says he’s clean now but he’s told so many lies I don’t know what to believe anymore.

“Nobody knows what their kids are doing when they go out or what they’re up to.

“I didn’t have a clue that my son was doing this and I never believed he would do anything like that.

“I could knock on so many doors in Mirfield and tell parents their children were doing MCAT and they wouldn’t believe me.

“The problem is that because it’s legal the kids think it’s okay.”

Although it is usually illegal to sell, supply or advertise ‘legal high’ drugs under medicines legislation, website suppliers often get around the law by describing them as “plant food” or “research chemicals.”

Jo Hilton-Jones, Senior Programme Manager of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team at NHS Kirklees said: “It is important that people know the risks of taking MCAT and how it can affect you.

“While MCAT is not illegal to possess, it does not mean it is safe to use.

“You can’t know exactly what is in it and legal highs can contain potentially dangerous chemicals.

“The risks are unpredictable and increase if you take them whilst using other substances, including alcohol.”

If you are concerned about your use of drugs, or someone else’s, you can get information and support locally from Lifeline Kirklees adult drug service by phoning 01484 353333 or 01924 438383.