A DRUG user who ended up on suicide watch in a psychiatric hospital after bingeing on new “legal high” drug mephedrone last night called for the substance to be banned.

The 28-year-old, from Teesdale, County Durham, spoke out to warn other users about the dangers of mephedrone, also known as drone, bubble or meow. The man, who wants to remain anonymous, believes mephedrone is even more addictive than cocaine, which he has also taken.

It can cause blackouts, severe hallucinations and mental health problems.

He spent a week at West Park psychiatric hospital, in Darlington, after taking the substance, when his behaviour led to him being picked up by the police.

With prices in the North- East falling from £25 a gram down to £15 or even £10 a gram, he said mephedrone should be outlawed as soon as possible before there are more tragedies.

Last November, five people in Teesdale were hospitalised after taking the drug.

The 28-year-old said: “It made me feel paranoid, anxious and suicidal. If you take enough, it will drive you mad.”

Government experts are studying mephedrone to see if it should be added to the list of banned drugs.

Durham Police have reports of mephedrone being mixed with illegal drugs, including amphetamine and cocaine.

Officers have said the drug is being used in Teesdale, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Darlington.

The 28-year-old, who is now undergoing rehabilitation, believes he was probably one of the first people in the UK to order mephedrone over the internet in August 2008.

It cost £100, arrived by post and consisted of white powder in capsules. He rapidly became addicted.

“I was sniffing loads of the stuff. I tried to cut back, but I wanted it so much. If I could not get it, I would get really, really anxious.”

PC Dave Williamson, who is based at Barnard Castle police station, warned that anyone found in possession of a suspected controlled drug could be arrested, searched and detained in a police cell until it could be established whether the sample contained illegal drugs.

But he admitted that if the sample turns out to be mephedrone, the police have no powers to prosecute.