Mephedrone was first seen in Manchester about 18 months ago.

Described as Britain’s ‘favourite new drug’, a leading expert said today that it was now the choice for thousands of recreational users tired of poor quality cocaine and ecstasy.

It has been quickly adopted by clubgoers and teenagers around the country.

Mike Linnell – one of the experts who first reported on the issue to the government’s top drugs bodies – warned it was only a matter of time before more lives were lost.

Mr Linnell, from charity Lifeline, said: “We first encountered the drug 18 months ago in Manchester. We found people coming in for advice on harm reduction. It has gone right through the board. The drug does what it says on the tin. It is half the price of cocaine or ecstasy but it is more reliable, because these drugs are hard to get in good quality.”

The man-made drug and its variants are thought to be manufactured overseas, with most coming from factories in China and east Asia.

The whitish powder retails for £10 a gram over the internet and around twice the price from dealers.

But Mr Linnell said there was anecdotal evidence to show users were grouping together in mini-drug deals, buying in bulk from suppliers and then selling it on.

“It’s not unheard of for a group of people who would never dream of buying heroin to band together so they can get a kilo for £4,000,” he said. “We are hearing of heroin users taking the drug, right through to grandads who back in the day were at the Hacienda with smiley T-shirts.

“It is cheap and very easy to get hold of. The problem will be that people will stockpile the drug before a ban comes in. It will also be difficult to stop it coming into the country from countries where it would still be legal.”

Manchester-based Lifeline publishes advice on how to minimise risks of the drug.

Despite the dangers, our investigation today shows that getting hold of the powerful stimulant was only a phone call or mouse click away.

The drug is related to cathinone, a class C illegal drug, but is legal because derivatives of the parent drug are not banned.

It would still be illegal under the Medicines Act for retailers to sell the substance in a shop but internet sites are exempt.

Club and bar owners in Manchester have so far reported no major concerns about the drug.

Dance music bible Mixmag last year found 40 per cent of readers surveyed had tried it.

Home Secretary Alan
Johnson has indicated he will support a ban.

But the government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs must first decide how to classify the substance, delaying the ban to later this year.