Alert as festival goers mis-sold drug as MDMA

Synthetic cathinone has been linked to deaths

- MAX CHANNON

MANCHESTER Pride and Police have issued warnings about a drug called 'monkey dust' being mis-sold as MDMA at the city's LGBTQ+ celebration.

Event Organisers and Greater Manchester Police have both issued alerts on social media about the issue. "Monkey dust" is the street name for the synthetic cathinone MDPHP. The substance has similar effects to MDMA, the psychoactive ingredient in Ecstasy, and amphetamines such as speed.

'Monkey dust, which has been linked to fatalities in recent years, is currently a Class B scheduled substance, which means it's illegal possess, give away or sell. Possession can be punished with up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. MDMA is Class A scheduled substance, and possession is punishable with up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.