totse.com | Intelligence Report: Methcathinone

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The Intelligence Bureau recently received a report from the Michigan State Police, Criminal Investigation Division, Narcotics Unit concerning the spread of Methcathinone (CAT), a "new" drug which has appeared in that state. A copy of that document, well-written and extensively researched by Lieutenant Richard Killips of the Michigan State Police, is attached with permission from the Michigan State Police. The following is a brief summary of Lieutenant Killips' study.

In January 1991, the Michigan State Police learned of a new drug being sold in the city of Marquette. First thought to be the legitimate substance ephedrine, the drug was later determined to be methcathinone (also known as n-methylcathinone), a central nervous system stimulant.

Methcathinone was patented in the United States in 1957 by Parke Davis Company of Detroit, Michigan. It first surfaced as a drug abuse problem in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). In- vestigators in the United States believe that an individual involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine discovered information on methcath- inone. The recipe was then passed on to an associate who successfully produced the drug in Marquette, Michigan. The formula has since been sold on the street for up to $1,000. Because of its highly addictive nature and the craving for more which it creates, the drug, though a saleable item on the street, is often consumed by those who produce it.

The manufacturing process, especially when compared to that for methamphetamine, is relatively simple. Furthermore, the ingredients to produce methcathinone are readily available and may be purchased and possessed legally. Those chemicals used in the process include ephed- rine, sulfuric (battery) acid, potassium (or sodium) dichromate, lye, toluene, acetone, muriatic acid and epsom salts. Tools used in the process consist of glass jars, tubing (glass, plastic or rubber), pil- low cases or sheets, coffee filters, rubber gloves, a heat source (e.g. hot plate) and funnels.

The finished product is usually an off-white chunky powder with no consistent texture.

There is currently no field test available for CAT. Methamphet- amine and cocaine reagents have proven ineffective. Negative tests on unknown substances should be submitted to Illinois State Police Labs for analysis.

Packaging is the same as that for cocaine. Prices for gram quanti- ties range from $75 to $100 and ounces have been sold for $800 to $1,000. The cost of production of CAT is approximately $400 per kilo- gram.

CAT, (also referred to as Goob, Star, Wonder Star, Crank and Sniff) is usually snorted. It is also being injected, sprinkled onto marijuana and smoked or mixed with a drink and taken orally.

Use patterns, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, are similar to those seen in methamphetamine abuse. Desirable effects of the drug, according to users, include relief from fatigue, a burst of energy, increased sex drive and a feeling of toughness and invinci- bility. Undesirable effects include paranoia, dehydration, anxiety and frightening hallucinations. Because of these effects police officers should use caution when dealing with persons that may be under the influence of methcathinone. The combination of the feeling of tough- ness, invincibility, paranoia and hallucinations make the user extreme- ly dangerous.

As in any chemical lab situation. officers should use extreme caution. According to MSP chemists, some of the ingredients, improperly mixed, pose the danger of explosion. Other ingredients are highly flam- mable, acids can cause chemical burns, and potassium dichromate, if inhaled, could be fatal.

Methcathinone (CAT) is not to be confused with the khat plant of Africa. Khat is a shrub, the leaf of which is chewed and is a central nervous system stimulant. Khat contains cathinone which is related to methcathinone in the same way amphetamine is similar to methampheta- mine.

CAT has spread to Wisconsin, Indiana, and has been confirmed in the state of Washington. Since the first incident in Michigan, authori- ties have seized 28 clandestine laboratories in that state. In Indiana, four labs have been seized and 14 more have been identified. Michigan authorities feel the substance, if not already here, will soon be con- firmed in Illinois.

A video tape which accompanied the MSP report to the Illinois State Police is available for review. Copies of this video tape have been forwarded to the Division of Forensic Services and the six Illi- nois State Police area commands.

If the Intelligence Bureau can be of further assistance to you in dealing with this potential problem, please do not hesitate to call CIA Supervisor J. E. "Buck" Ballow, Intelligence Bureau, Illinois State Police, at 217/785-0632.

In January of 1991, officers from Michigan's Upper Peninsula Sub- stance Enforcement Team (UPSET) learned from an informant of a new drug being sold on the streets of Marquette. The drug, called "CAT" re- portedly gave users a "high" similar to that of cocaine but the effects were stronger and lasted longer. The informant made a buy of the drug for UPSET and the substance was taken to the State Police Crime Labora- tory in Marquette where laboratory scientist Robert Kelly analyzed it.

After the initial test Kelly advised UPSET that they had purchased ephedrine, a legal, easily obtainable substance. Kelly thought more about it and was unsure of his preliminary finding. More complex tests were performed that ruled ephedrine out, but the identify of this sub- stance remained a mystery. A sample was sent to the Sterling Heights laboratory for testing in their instrument that interfaces with a com- puter database of known substances. The computer was unable to match the sample. Kelly then studied chemical reference books and was finally able to determine that the substance was methcathinone, a potent analog of methamphetamine.

The methcathinone purchases in Marquette was the first seized by law enforcement in the United States. In Chicago, DEA laboratory scien- tist Terry Dal Cason was not surprised by the news of the appearance of methcathinone, but rather that it had taken so long to appear. Dal Cason had researched the drug and the problems the former Soviet Union has had with the methcathinone that is being produced in clandestine laboratories.(1)

Although the drug first surfaced as a problem in the USSR, it was patented in 1957 in the United States by the Parke Davis Co. of De- troit. Methcathinone is an analeptic (central nervous system stimu- lant). According to the patent methcathinone has a very high degree of analeptic activity (stimulation) higher than that of amphetamine.(2) The Parke Davis research estimated that methcathinone is approximately 1.5 times more potent than amphetamine. Other research supports the potency claims listed in the patent.(3) After completing animal re- search Parke Davis for unknown reasons did not initiate human studies and dropped development of the drug.

There has been some confusion that "CAT" or methcathinone was developed to copy the khat plant of Africa. Khat is a shrub, the leaf of which is chewed and is a central nervous system stimulant. It has gained notoriety as of late because it is chewed by Somalians and the press has been reporting about it. Dr. James Tolliver of the DEA Drug Evaluation Section in Arlington, Virginia advised that khat contains cathinone, which is similar to methcathinone (in the same way amphet- amine is similar to methamphetamine). However the cathinone content of the khat plant was not discovered until the mid 1970's. Methcathinone, remember, was invented some twenty years before. There is no indication that those involved in the manufacture or sale of the drug are trying to pass it off as a derivative of the plant. Although there appears to be no connection between the plant and the manufactured drug, press stories linking the two will likely continue.

Investigators believe that a suspect who was researching the chem- istry involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine came across the information on methcathinone. Although it appears he did not produce methcathinone himself he passed along the knowledge of how to manufac- ture it to an associate who in turn started to make the drug in Mar- quette. The formula or "recipe" as it is called on the street was then sold freely to anyone who wanted it. The initial cases that came to the attention of narcotics officers started in Marquette but have since spread west throughout the Upper Peninsula and into Wisconsin.

The materials and chemicals needed to produce methcathinone are legal to purchase, possess, and easy to obtain. The procedure followed to manufacture the drug is relatively simple (especially when compared to methamphetamine) and persons with no chemistry training have been making the drug.

EPHEDRINE: This is a legal substance that is used as a bronchodilator and found in over the counter cold and allergy medicines. It is also sold as a stimulant in party stores, gas stations and truck stops. It can be mail ordered in large quantities from magazines.

POTASSIUM (OR SODIUM) DICHROMATE: An industrial strength cleaning agent available through industrial cleaning supply stores.

LYE: Crystal drain cleaners like Red Devil and Drano are used for the lye. It appears that the Red Devil brand is preferred.

TOLUENE: A high grade paint thinner, that can be bought in multi-gallon quantities from paint stores.

MURIATIC ACID: This is used as a cleaner in masonry work and for clean- ing pools and is sold at hardware and pool supply stores.

MATERIALS NEEDED INCLUDE: Glass jars (pickle jars, canning jars, etc.)
Glass, plastic, or rubber tubing
Pillow cases or sheets
Coffee filters
Rubber gloves
Heat source such as hot plate or stove
Funnels

The finished product, if properly made, is an off white chunky powder. The methcathinone produced in clandestine labs does not have a consistent texture but will appear chunky as if there is moisture still in it.

There is currently no commercially available field test kit for methcathinone. The test kits used for methamphetamine and cocaine are of no use with methcathinone. Officers who get a negative field test on an unknown substance should not conclude that it is probably some type of cutting agent and should send it to the crime laboratory for analy- sis.

The packaging methods for methcathinone have thus far been the same as those used for cocaine. Folded paper packets (sno-seals), small glass vials, and plastic baggies are being used. Prices for gram quan- tities range from $75-$100. Ounces have been sold for $1,000 or more but because of the glut of methcathinone in the certain areas the price has dropped to $800. It costs approximately $400 to make on kilogram (2.2 lbs.). If sold in ounce quantities that $400 investment could bring in $26,000 or more.

Paraphernalia used with methcathinone is similar to what is found with cocaine and includes:

l Methcathinone is usually called "CAT" on the street but it has also been called:

Methcathinone is usually snorted. It is also being injected, sprinkled into marijuana and smoked, and in a few cases mixed into a drink and taken orally.

Most users report that they binge on the drug using it repeatedly over a several day period. Some have reported using for up to five days. They quit when they run out. When they crash most sleep for several days, feel very depressed and many contemplate suicide.

The frequency and the amount of the dose vary from person to per- son. Some may snort 1/8 of a gram and not need another "hit" for a couple of hours. Others may use a smaller amount and use more again every 20-30 minutes. According to Dr. Tolliver of the DEA the use pat- terns are typical of those seen with methamphetamine. The DEA recently completed a study of methcathinone use by monkeys and the conclusion was that methcathinone has a high abuse potential for humans.

Police officers should use caution when dealing with persons that may be under the influence of methcathinone. The combination of the feeling of toughness, invincibility, with paranoia, and hallucinations could easily make an individual a danger to other citizens and to police.

The chemicals used to manufacture methcathinone do pose a threat to persons who may come into contact with them. According to Robert Kelly if some of the chemicals are mixed improperly, there is a danger of explosion. Acetone and toluene are both highly flammable. The acids used can cause chemical burns. Potassium dichromate is inhaled could be fatal.

In addition to the dangers involving a clandestine laboratory there is the problem of clean up of the site. The EPA considers a law enforcement agency that discovers a lab the producer of the hazardous waste found there and that agency is therefore responsible to pay for the clean up. The clean up is done by private companies and can be quite expensive. Costs of clean up of sites thus far in the Upper Pen- insula have ranged from $3,000 to $13,000 and in any given case it could be much higher.

Because State Police officers are not trained or equipped to oper- ate safely in a clandestine laboratory environment we have relied on the DEA to raid the labs and seize the chemicals. The DEA also pays the cost of clean up of the site. A problem that is occurring quite often now is the discovery of inactive abandoned lab sites. These are found in wooded areas, motel rooms, and vehicles. The local authorities don't know what to do with what they have found. Another problem is the dis- covery of labs in vehicles after traffic stops by patrol officers. Because of the danger of the chemicals, and concerns of clean up costs, evidence (fingerprint lifts from jars, etc.) is not being collected as it should be.

In Marquette, a group has been formed to try and develop policies to address what to do when abandoned labs and chemicals have been dis- covered. The group is called the UPCC (Upper Peninsula Cat Coalition) and is made up of the Sheriff's Department, UPSET, State Police Emer- gency Management Division, the Marquette State Police Forensic Labora- tory, local police agencies, the DNR, the county health department, and the prosecutor. Their research and findings could prove to be a model for other jurisdictions with similar problems.

Since 1991, 28 clandestine methcathinone laboratories have been seized in Michigan. One raided in May of 1992 in Watersmeet was de- scribed by the DEA as the largest methcathinone lab seizure worldwide to date. There was enough chemicals and materials on site to produce over 35 pounds of methcathinone.

In January of 1993 the Michigan State Police , UPSET, and the DEA formed a task force to investigate clandestine labs in the Upper Penin- sula. Initially it was hopped that through use of buys, informants and the surveillance of precursors that officers could somewhat easily locate and raid lab sites. When methcathinone first appeared in Michi- gan the persons "cooking" the drug were buying their own chemicals taking them home and setting up the lab. But investigators were to learn that the method of operation has changed. Officers found that groups of suspects were forming, and that most persons in the group were trading precursor chemicals to the "cooker" in exchange for finished product. Many of these groups consumed most if not all of their product themselves and therefore were not selling "cat." In many cases the persons buying the precursors would not know the location of the lab. They were sitting on the chemicals for days making surveil- lance too costly and inefficient.

To counter these problems investigators have taken a different approach. They are tracking (through cooperative store owners) purchas- es of different chemicals and building conspiracy cases against the individuals within the groups. Several labs have been discovered when officers have served federal "document" search warrants. Currently the conspiracy cases are being handled through the federal system, however, just recently a few possession with intent to deliver methcathinone cases have been initiated in the state courts.

Studies have shown that methcathinone is likely to be abused. The precursor chemicals needed to make it are easy, cheap, and legal to obtain and possess. The procedure followed to make "Cat" is relatively simple and the profit potential from making and selling the drug is tremendous. Couple all these facts together and it is easy to see why "Cat" will likely spread throughout Michigan and nationwide.

(1) Terry A. Dal Cason "The Identification of Cathinone and Methcathi- none," MICROGRAM, Vol. XXV, No. 12, December 1992

(3) Richard Glernnon, Mamoun Yousif, Noreen Naiman, Peter Kalix, "Meth- cathinone: A New and Potent Amphetamine-like Agent," PHARMACOLOGY BIO- CHEMISTRY & BEHAVIOR, Vol. 26, pp. 547-551 (Pergamon Journals Ltd., 1987)

(4) Data compilation by Dr. James Toliver information obtained from users interviewed by police and treatment officials.

1. Good Morning. I am John Boyer, an Intelligence Analyst with the Detroit Field Division Intelligence Group. I am here this morning to brief you on N-Methylcathinone, or as it's more commonly known, Cat.

2. I have spend several weeks in Michigan's Upper Peninsula con- ducting a strategic analysis of the Methcathinone problem. During this problem, I'll discuss what Cat is, how it's made, the physical effects of Cat use, where Cat came from, how it was introduce to the UP, who's using it and why, how it spread westward into Wisconsin and elsewhere, and where it's going.

3. My analysis is based on DEA and Michigan State Police investi- gative reports, DEA and Michigan State Police Intelligence files, grand jury records and testimony, and interviews with federal, state, and local law enforcement officers as well as interviews with cooperating defendants.

1. Other Names: 2-methylamino-1-phenylpropan-1-one, monomethylpropion, UR 1431, methcathinone, Cat, goob, go-fast, crank, sniff, star, wonder star, ephedrone, and wild cat (when mixed with cocaine). A new name for Cat has recently surfaced in Wisconsin where some bikers are calling it "bathtub speed." In Russia, Cat is sold under the street name "Jeff."

2. Description: Cat is a potent psychomotor stimulant developed by the Parke-Davis Company in the early fifties as an alternative to meth- amphetamine. Cat is a synthetic analog of cathinone, a naturally occur- ring stimulant found in Khat (Catha edulis). Cat is easily synthesized in a laboratory, garage, basement, apartment, or camp site through the oxidation of ephedrine and other readily available over-the-counter chemicals.

a. Ephedrine pills are crushed, dissolved in distilled water, and drained through coffee filters into any quart size jar or larger.

b. Sodium dichromate is dissolved in sulfuric acid (battery acid) and the solution slowly added to the ephedrine.

c. Sodium hydroxide (Red Devil Lye or Drano) is dissolved in distilled water and added to the ephedrine-acid solution to form a neutral base.

e. The toluene-Cat solution is skimmed off the top of the base solution and epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) are added to remove the water.

f. The toluene-Cat mixture is filtered and muriatic acid is bubbled into the mixture to make Cat Hydrochloride and to form the Cat into crystals.

g. The Cat HC1 is filtered out of the toluene and acetone added to purify the Cat HC1 and make it white.

NOTE: In Russia, Cat is synthesized by the reaction of ephedrine and potassium permanganate. The reaction liquid contains ephedrone, benzoic acid, 1-phenoxypropane-1, 2-dione, unreacted ephedine, and also inor- ganic salts.

a. The preferred route of administration is snorting. Cat be- gins to quickly destroy the sinus cavities causing chronic nose bleed- ing and sinusitis. Cat addicts then turn to intravenous injection and/or oral ingestion. Smoking and body absorption have been tried successfully but are not preferred.

b. Cat addicts smoke marijuana and/or drink excessive amounts of alcohol to ease the nervous jerks and paranoia associated with chronic abuse. Addicts often go on binges of continuous Cat use for up to eight days, never sleeping, and eating very little, if at all. To avoid the terrible pains of crashing off the drug, addicts smoke in- creasing amounts of marijuana and/or consume excessive amounts of alco- hol to the point of unconsciousness.

c. Only two known deaths have been associated with Cat. One addict, a Cat cooker, died of alcohol poisoning following a week long binge. Another addict killed himself when he thought DEA was coming to arrest him. We weren't, but that typifies the paranoia associated with Cat abuse.

a. Caucasian males and females and some Native Americans (Chip- pewa Tribe) between the ages of 20 and 35. Most are poly-drug abusers and have had previous drug experience and/or have abused alcohol. Men tend to like Cat for its ability to increase endurance and the feeling of power that the drug invokes. Women like Cat for its powerful anorexic effect. Cat abusers are easily recognized because of their gaunt, wasted appearance. Some even have the appearance of being in the final stages of AIDS or cancer patients on chemo-therapy.

b. Abusers of the drug report side effects that include tempo- rary loss of memory, sense of smell, and sleep, headaches, double and triple vision, stomach aches, hallucinations, and vomiting. Side ef- fects in addicted users include severe vomiting with blood, bleeding from mouth, nose, eyes, ears, penis, and anus, short and long term memory loss, loss of sense of smell, temporary blindness, abnormal breathing, severe headaches, stomach aches, migraine headaches, loss of sleep, double vision, triple vision, and hallucinations.

a. Street level Cat is pure. Vitamin B-12, caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, or laxatives are sometimes added, but, otherwise, Cat is not usually cut.

b. A field test for Cat does not yet exist. Cat will react positively to the Bectin Valium test by turning the test chemical dark brown. Cat does not react to the ephedrine or methamphetamine tests.

a. An average dose, or "hit", is one line (1/10 to 1/4 gram) which may be good for a four to six hour high. Exact analysis is un- available, but depending on the source, a "high" can last 30 minutes, one hour, four to six hours, or possibly up to 24 hours (in first time users). Tolerance builds quickly and chronic abusers take the drug more often and in larger doses.

b. Current prices for Cat as of Mid-July 1993:
1/4 gram = $25.00
1 gram = $80.00 to $100.00
8-Ball (1/8 oz.) = $280.00
1 ounce = $1,000 to $1,200

NOTE: A $56.00 investment in chemicals will produce 20 grams of Cat, thus realizing a potential profit of $1,944 when sold by the gram.

c. For an area with such a depressed economy and high unemploy- ment rate, the above prices are extremely difficult to pay. Most abus- ers make the Cat for themselves and a few customers. Customers who don't make it and cannot afford it will hock anything of value - one addict hocked his home to a Cat dealer - women have offered sex for Cat - homes have been burglarized. Crime, normally very low in the Upper Peninsula, has shown a marked increase since Cat began spreading out of Marquette in late 1991. Cookers and users make deals whereby a user will buy chemicals in exchange for Cat. Because of the heavy law en- forcement effort in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, lab operators and chem- ical buyers are traveling up to 500 miles to purchase chemicals.

a. Methcathinone has been a serious abuse problem in Russia for decades. The Parke-Davis Company first developed Cat in the early fif- ties as a possible alternative to methamphetamine, but soon shelved the drug because of its high potential for addiction and severe side ef- fects.

b. Cat was probably rediscover by an intern at Parke-Davis Laboratories in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He stole 8-10 cardia stimulants from Parke-Davis's drug vault and tried them along with two drug using buddies, one of whom was from Marquette, Michigan. One of the stolen drugs was methcathinone. The intern researched the Parke-Davis files and found the formula and recipe for making Cat. They set up a lab in an apartment in Ann Arbor and began making and distributing Cat in the Ann Arbor/UM area in late 1989.

2. Growth: Because Cat did not take hold among the UM student population, the Marquette student decided to drop out of UM in Sep 1990 and moved back to Marquette where he set up a lab in a Northern Michi- gan University dorm room. He taught some close friends the Cat process over the next few months. Cat did not, however, take hold at NMU even though most of the initial users were students there. Cat took hold among the local UP population in Marquette, and in late 1991, was in- troduced into Ishpeming, just 16 miles west of Marquette. Meanwhile, each of the new Cat cookers had labs set up in the Marquette area and distributing it to a rapidly growing clientele.

a. In late 1991, a resident of Iron River in Iron County, in- troduced Cat to some Iron County friends and began teaching as many people as wanted to learn how to make Cat. He also introduced Cat into Gogebic County on the Chippewa Indian Reservation.

b. In early 1992, the spread of Cat, began taking on a momentum of its own. Student cookers were now teaching others. Cat quickly spread into Dickinson and Ontonagon Counties. By late 1992, Cat began showing up in northeastern Wisconsin. Cat has since turned up in Houghton and Baraga Counties, Green Bay, Kenosha, Seattle, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Methcathinone, called ephidrone, was recently stolen in two separate burglaries (the first was 50 grams) from Burroughs-Welcome Laboratories in North Carolina. A UP connection, if any, is unknown.

1. Methcathinone is out of control and epidemic in the western UP and northeastern Wisconsin. This analysis is based on the current high availability of Cat and the enormous quantities of ephedrine still being purchased via mail order.

2. The Assistant U.S. Attorney in Marquette subpoenaed the Custom- er records from 21 ephedrine suppliers to Michigan. As I processed the records, several interesting trends began to emerge to expose those individuals ordering ephedrine for diversion to methcathinone:

a. But first, what is Ephedrine? Ephedrine is a bronchial dila- tor used by asthmatics to ease breathing and as a stimulant combined with caffeine by truck drivers and college students. Ephedrine is the active ingredient in Primatene Mist. Ephedrine is sold over-the-counter at gas stations, truck stops, student hangouts, and by mail order. We have identified over twenty-five companies who offer ephedrine whole- sale by mail to Michigan. The Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) recom- mends a dosage of three to four 24 mg tables per person per day up to a maximum of six. Most ephedrine buyers purchase the drug in bottles containing 1,000 pills. 1,000 pills, therefore, should last the average person five and a half months.

- Over 75 per cent of ephedrine shipped to Michigan goes to the Upper Peninsula. This same trend can be expected in northeastern Wisconsin compared to Wisconsin as a whole.

- A one time order of 40,000 pills is made for delivery to an address not located on or near a major interstate.

- Multiple orders are made by one person using a true name or pseudonym for delivery to one address.

- Multiple orders are made by one person using a true name or pseudonym for delivery to multiple addresses.

a. Based on analyzing ephedrine purchase records, Cat is cer- tainly being produced in Menominee and Delta Counties and probably in Alger County, even though no Cat has been detected or seized.

b. Because of the heavy law enforcement effort in the western UP, Cat cookers have been moving to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

c. Although outlaw motorcycle gangs are not known to be mak- ing Cat, the potential is very real. One lab operator in WI has himself taught three biker friends to make Cat and they have dubbed it "bathtub speed" because of the ease in which it's made and its similarity to methamphetamine.

Donald Simila CAC, Supervisor
Addiction Rehabilitation Services
Marquette General Hospital 1993

This report is a response to current requests for information on the regional use and manufacture of Methcathinone here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin. Observations stated in this preliminary report are based on available information from a lim- ited sample.

It is imperative at the outset that the reader understand that little information is available about this drug and its effects on the human organism. There are no human studies available in the United States which we can reference that describe the effects of this drug specifically. There is an animal study which used the racemic form of methcathinone with rats that were trained to discriminate amphetamine from saline. The results of this study demonstrated that the N- monomethyl derivative of cathinone (i.e. Methcathinone) resulted in stimulus generalization and has been shown to be a very potent psycho- motor stimulant which shares the pharmacologic profile as well as simi- lar molecular structure of amphetamine. (Glennon, Yousif, Naiman, Kalix, 1986)

A paper by Richard A. Glennon is scheduled to be available in March/April which describes the self administration of CAT by Baboons. This study should provide more information on the addiction potential for CAT and give dose response information needed to further understand the action of the drug and its addictive potentials to humans.

Information has recently surfaced from Russia that may provide a better understanding of this drug with regard to the human organism. It appears that methcathinone production and use has been a long term problem for their society. Recently a Russian physician (Dr. Voronin who is the head of the Drug Dependence Department State Research Center for Addictions, Russian Federation Ministry of Health) reported in a Lansing meeting that 55 per cent of the addicts in one regional sample in russia use homemade drugs; Methcathinone, marijuana, or a poppy seed tea. Methcathinone, known as Ephidrone, is the most prevalent of the three among people who entered a treatment program. Injection is the primary method of administration. There is a continuum of drug potency, depending on the method used to manufacture the drug. He reported that physical dependence is reached in 2-4 weeks, and psychological depen- dence is immediate.

Until further information on methcathinone in the U.S.A. can be obtained and disseminated, much of the research we have on cocaine and other psychostimulant addiction (e.g. methamphetamine) can be useful to the clinician in understanding the effects of methcathinone addiction. Treatment information can be generalized and methodologies applied with the CAT addicted person.

Methcathinone is a potent psychomotor stimulant. As mentioned earlier, it is similar in chemical composition and pharmacological effects to methamphetamine. "CAT" is produced via the oxidation of the ephedrine molecule. Ephedrine is called the precursor chemical.

METHCATHINONE (CAT) can also be derived from the parent chemica., cathinone. Cathinone can be found as a naturally occurring compound in the leaves of the Khat shrub (Catha edulis) indigenous to East Africa. It is known as KHAT to the Somalies who chew it for its stimulant prop- erties. Its actions are quite similar, although not as potent.

Methcathinone is currently sold in powdered form, typically in gram units. It can cost anywhere from 80 to 100 dollars per gram, or in smaller quantities (for about 25 dollars a quarter gram. I.V. users dissolve the powdered form in water and inject it, or as described by Dr. Voronin, the manufacturing process can be altered or stopped short of the drying stage and used in a liquid form. Some users in the Upper Peninsula have reported that they have purchased the drug already in a syringe from dealers.

Methcathinone was first encountered by law enforcement officials in the summer of 1991. The first seizure of a clandestine CAT lab in the USA took place in Michigan. Methcathinone, by some accounts appears to have been introduced to the Upper Peninsula during the mid to late 1980's. The oxidation method was refined in a lower Michigan city by individuals with ties to the U.P. These individuals brought the process with them and distributed it in a localized area.

Parke Davis Company did some fairly extensive research on this drug during the nineteen fifties and sixties, but shelved the drug due apparently to negative side effect potential. The British hold a Patent on the process used to make methcathinone (Feb. 20, 1957). Chemical companies in Russia have been making a similar drug since 1938. It was used in Russia to treat depression for a number of years, then made illegal after which the illegal manufacture of the drug developed.

Methcathinone is easily synthesized in a laboratory, garage, base- ment, van, etc., from precursor chemicals. the oxidation method is relatively easy to complete and can be done overnight. Conversely, traditional illegal methamphetamine production requires more familiarity with chemistry and laboratory methods with more elaborate facilities. the trend of the late 80's and now the 90's is for individ- uals who, alone or with others, buy the precursors and attempt to pro- duce moderate amounts of methamphetamine or similar agents. they will distribute it among themselves to support a growing habit or sell it to others. the sale of the "recipe" itself can bring substantial profit to individuals and may account for the rapid spread of laboratories in the U.P. and northern Wisconsin. The precursor chemical ephedrine is pur- chased cheaply from mail order catalogs. Other agents can be obtained in hardware stores. An investment of a few hundred dollars can yield the manufacturer substantial profit. The ease of production and profit potential from the sale of this drug gives us some indication of the cause of the apparent exponential growth of this phenomenon in our area. The explosion of crack cocaine dealers in the larger metropolitan areas demonstrates similar developmental patterns.

"Recipes" for this kind of production are almost always changing. If ingredients become unavailable, manufacturers may use other chemi- cals. The potential for deadly mistakes is eminent. Many of the ingre- dients are poisonous and, depending on what is available, a "cook" may use anything from acetoin to battery acid in the manufacturing process. there have been reports of laboratory locations in garages, trunks of cars, and basements. Glass jars, tubing, and a heat source are the primary utensils. to date it seems that all the clandestine labs in Upper Michigan have been using the same method of production. The implications of this production include toxic fumes and chemical waste. Improper disposal of the by-products are an environmental hazard. Ex- tended exposure to these fumes has its own health consequences. Clean up of these lab sites requires special training and equipment and can be very costly.

Methcathinone has been injected, snorted, taken orally, smoked or absorbed through the skin. The majority of the users to date have in- haled the drug through the nose. There is a large population of drug users who are also injecting the drug. Little is known of the effects from smoking the drug and only a few people have reported transdermal use of the drug. Recent comments by subjects leads us to believe that oral use is increasing and is an alternative route used by those who are experiencing bleeding in the nose from chronic use of the drug via snorting.

Symptoms of methcathinone intoxication include sweaty palms, in- creased heart rate, increased locomotor activity, restlessness, and increased body temperature. Users reported increased sexual stimulation and promiscuity during the initial phases of drug use and diminished sexual desire with continuous use. Users report cravings for sugars/sweets with subsequent deterioration of teeth. With long term use, addicts may exhibit physical wasting, severe depression, anhedronia/anergia. Russian reports indicate that severe acne emerges as well as blotches of red pigmentation on back, shoulders and feet. Russian treatment programs have found that chronic users with 3-4 years of regular exposure report that the drug loses its stimulant/euphoric effects at some point. They have also found that these long term users have some permanent brain damage with some symptoms of Parkinsonism.

Based on current information, I.V. users typically will "shoot" .25-1 g per administration. Onset of action is within seconds and is reported as a tremendous "rush." Typically there will be 1 to 2 hours between use. Users report going on a "run" for as long as 8 or 9 days, using until they are exhausted and collapse. They may sleep for several days and will begin the cycle again after full recovery. These patterns of binge and recovery have been demonstrated in laboratory animals. The onset of depression or the "crash" is within 4 to 6 hours of last in- jection. Users will often use alcohol or other depressant type drugs to "level off" during a binge.

Oral users report onset of action 120-15 minutes after ingestion with anywhere from 2 to 6 hours of action. Onset of action from inhala- tion is within ten minutes and will last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

We have seen a variety of users present to our facility. Some have used the drug as an enhancement or supplement drug added to their regu- lar partying routine while others have used it initially to reduce fatigue and increase work performance. Others have used it for its anorectic properties and found that they could not control weight loss. Others have been I.V. drug abusers with lengthy histories of using heroin, cocaine, or other chemicals via injection.

Intravenous users of methcathinone have an increased risk for contracting H.I.V. and Hepatitis through needle sharing. Inhalers have deterioration of mucus membranes within the nasal cavity. Some oral users report patches of skin loss around the mouth.

CNS symptoms are the most common chief complaint and include agi- tation, confusion, delusions, hallucinations, and suicidal ideation. With higher and more frequent doses symptoms include tactile hallucina- tions with touching or picking at the face and extremities, suspicious- ness, and feelings of being watched.

After long term use of methcathinone or even after a binge of a few days, abrupt cessation is commonly followed by depression, anxiety, and craving for the drug. This is usually followed by fatigue and a "crash." Upon awakening there is continued sleepiness, depression and anhedonia (an absence of feeling). Anergia (lack of energy) is typical as the patient will rarely arise for anything other than a need to go to the bathroom. Mood generally returns after several days although in some cases anhedonia and anergia can last for several weeks.

Cravings for the drug may wax and wane over several weeks to sev- eral months, dependent largely on emotions and drug using related stimuli or triggers. Users report relapse is associated with emergence of anhedonia and dysphoria and reinitiate use in an effort to avoid the "crash." Relapse is also connected with exposure to stimuli which evoke memories of the euphoric effects of the drug.

As with other types of stimulant production, availability is gen- erally localized for a short time. It has been reported by legal au- thorities in Michigan that methcathinone production and use is no lon- ger regionalized and has spread to lower Michigan and Wisconsin. The availability of this drug has the potential of increasing rapidly due primarily to the ease of production mobility of the labs and the rela- tive small size of active labs. Detection of active labs by the general public is difficult. Legal sanctions will provide deterrents to many; others will continue to use and produce this drug.

This information is preliminary and current as of March 1993 and more detailed information and reports are in the process of being in- vestigated and researched by the Michigan Department of Public Health, Center for Substance Abuse Services and United States Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as U.P. area service providers.

Intelligence Report: Methcathinone

by Illinois State Police