[thedoc (OP)]

In 2009, the synthetic stimulant mephedrone became a hugely popular recreational drug for young people in the UK while at the same time it was demonised by the media. Although it was eventually made illegal, drug policy and availability will never be the same...

Read the article then tell us what you think...

[imatfaal]

Well, in the Mephedrone case it leads to the deconstruction of science/medicine evidence-based drugs policy in the UK, the resignation of many highly trusted and dedicated scientists from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, and arbitrary governmental control based on media scaremongering and hearsay rather than sociological and scientific studies. 

[CliffordK]

It sounds a lot like "K2" in the USA which is a synthetic cannabis (marijuana), which is then put on incense and other spices and smoked like marijuana.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_cannabis

And, over time there will be more of these synthetic street drugs, especially as some are being manufactured overseas and shipped to the USA and Europe before they are discovered and specifically prohibited.

I am actually a bit mixed on this.

The government has a role in protecting the people.  However, personally I think there should be limits on the intrusions into people's lives.  If they want to smoke dope inside of their house it shouldn't be the government's problem as long as it doesn't affect any others.