Members of Lancaster’s PubWatch scheme are warning drinkers about the consequences of bringing new drug ‘Bubble’ into the city’s bars, clubs and pubs.
As we’ve previously reported, Bubble is street slang for the substance mephedrone – more commonly used as plant fertilizer. It is also known as Meow Meow or MMCAT.
It’s currently not illegal to possess mephedrone, but it is illegal to sell it for human consumption.
Police and members of the city’s PubWatch scheme have now joined together to alert those visiting licensed premises to the dangers of Bubble, and to the potential consequences if they are found to be carrying an unknown substance.
Posters are on display in the city centre venues warning customers that staff carry out random drugs searches; any unknown substances will be confiscated; the police will be called and this could lead to a person’s arrest.
“We want to make the city centre bars, pubs and clubs safe, friendly and welcoming,” commented Tim Tomlinson, chair of the PubWatch scheme and licensee of the White Cross, Penny Bank and Merchants.
“No one knows the full effects of Bubble, but when combined with alcohol they can be damaging. We want people to be aware of this and for them to know that there is a common approach between all the venues in the city when it comes to anyone being found with tablets or powder on them.
“We will not be assuming it is Bubble – we will treat it as an illegal drug and the police will be called.”
“There are obvious health risks to taking something when you cannot be absolutely sure what it is,” notes Sgt James Martin of Lancaster Police. “Bubble is essentially a chemical that is used as plant fertiliser. The consequences of combining it with alcohol could prove fatal.”
He added: “Aside from the health risks, if you are found to be carrying drugs you may be arrested and will be under investigation until it is determined exactly what that substance is.”