The popular drug mephedrone, linked to a string of deaths in the last year, will be criminalised "within weeks" and its importation banned immediately, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said today.
The synthetic drug also known as "M-Cat" and "Meow Meow" which has been legally available, has been linked to at least four recent deaths. It is increasingly popular in nightclubs and can be bought cheaply over the internet.
Police have warned the drug is potentially lethal, especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs.
The new classification puts the drug on a par with amphetamines and cannabis, with users risking a jail sentence of up to five years.
The decision comes after the British government's panel of scientific experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, recommended mephedrone and related compounds be classified as Class B drugs.
"This will stop unscrupulous manufacturers and others pedalling different but similar harmful drugs," Mr Johnson said, adding that, with cross-party support, he hoped to have legislation in place within a matter of weeks.
Mr Johnson also said he had banned the import of mephedrone, other cathinones, and all products containing those drugs with immediate effect.
In Ireland, mephedrone is currently available to buy in head shops and over the internet. It is one of a number of substances on a list the Government plans to ban this year.
The sale and possession of these substances will now be made illegal and subject to criminal sanctions under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The legislation will come into effect in June after the three-month notice period required under the European technical standards directive.
The move came amid growing anger and protests from parents and anti-drugs groups about the growing number of head shops operating across the State.