Press statements regarding Mephedrone

PROTECT -PERSONAL

Dear Philip

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 2218/09

I write in connection with your request for information dated the
03/12/09 which was received by Lancashire Constabulary on the 04/12/09.
I note you seek access to the following information:

* I am writing to request information regarding statements made by
the Lancashire Constabulary to members of the press concerning the
substance methedrone. Please treat this as a request under the
Freedom of Information Act.

Specifically I am referring to the warnings about the substance
made to the public by Lancashire Constabulary which are
specifically mentioned in the following articles:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lanca...

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/new...
ng_over_fertiliser__drug__in_Hyndburn/

The BBC article states "Police are warning people about the dangers
of Mephedrone and say using the drug could prove fatal". Please
provide copies of all the scientific evidence reviewed by
Lancashire Constabulary that lead them to this conclusion, e.g.
peer reviewed papers, medical case studies, etc.

I would also like to know who made these statements (or if that is
not possible, which department issued them), and upon whose
authority they were made. A copy of any press releases or
correspondence with members of the press regarding this issue would
be of particular interest.

Furthermore, I would like to know upon what grounds these
statements were made, since mephedrone is not an illegal substance
under the Misuse of Drugs act. Is it purely on public safety
ground? If so, I would like information regarding the policies
under which the police make such warnings, since there are lots of
other activities that are a risk to public safety yet Lancashire
Constabulary doesn't feel the need to issue warnings against them.
For example, equestrian activities kill and seriously injure a
significant number of people, but as far as I am aware, neither the
Lancashire Constabulary nor any other police force has issued
warnings against horse riding.

Your request will now be considered in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000, known hereafter as 'the Act'. You should receive a
response within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by
the Act, subject to the information not being exempt or containing a
reference to a third party. In some circumstances Lancashire
Constabulary may be unable to achieve this deadline. If this is likely,
you will be informed and given a revised time-scale at the earliest
opportunity.

There may be a fee payable for the retrieval, collation and provision of
the information you request. If this is the case you will be informed
and the 20 working day timescale will be suspended until we receive
payment from you. If you choose not to make payment then your request
will remain unanswered.

Some requests may also require either full or partial transference to
another public authority in order to answer you query in the fullest
possible way. Again, you will be informed if this is the case.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
Lancashire Constabulary.

Many Thanks,

David Wilding

show quoted sections

PROTECT -PERSONAL

Dear Philip
Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, Bryony, who deals with FOI
requests, has been ill for the past week. She has returned today and
informs me that she is leasing with the media team regarding your
request You will get a response in due course Thanks David Wilding

show quoted sections

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

Mr Chillag,

Please find attached Lancashire Constabulary's response to your recent
request made under the Freedom of Information Act, our ref 2218/09. Please
accept my apologies for the delay in providing you with this information.

Regards,

Bryony Hopkinson

Data Protection

Tel: 01772 413324

Fax: 01772 412123

Email: [1][email address]

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

show quoted sections

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
mailto:[email address]