Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton says he's pleased the government is to begin the process of reclassifying monkey dust as a Class A illegal substance.

The psychotic drug has been closely associated with Stoke-on-Trent, but despite being banned in the USA by Barack Obama in 2012 it is still only labelled as a Class B substance in the UK.

Reclassifying it to Class A could mean seven years in prison and an unlimited fine for anyone caught in possession of it – and for those caught supplying or producing the drug, it could mean life in prison as well as unlimited fine.

Staffordshire Police arrested four people last week after eight kilos of monkey dust packages were found in Stoke-on-Trent (Staffordshire Police).

Mr Brereton has been leading the calls to bring about the change, and even set up a petition on his website.

He said: "The families and friends of those who've suffered as a result of this horrific drug will be relieved that we are now seeing steps being taken to give this drug the classification it deserves.

"It's a hallucinogenic drug, and many people's lives have been completely destroyed as a result of taking this drug.

"There is no treatment for those who become addicted – and it is very addictive. For those who succumb to it, it's very profound."

He said the wider impacts include the danger people put themselves at, for example climbing onto roofs or trying to eat glass.

People using monkey dust are said to feel as if they're invincible, which can often lead to violence and other antisocial behaviour.

Mr Brereton said one of the key issues is how cheaply and readily available it is – something he believes reclassification will change.

He said applying more serious consequences will mean those who peddle the drug will want more money, due to the greater risks involved, and this will push the price up and make it unaffordable.

You can sign Jack's petition here: https://www.jackbrereton.co.uk/campaigns/reclassify-monkey-dust-class-drug

It's hoped this will cut the supply drastically and ultimately save lives.

Mr Brereton said: "This is the way we'll drive this drug off the street – we up the consequences for these criminals.

"If they're facing tougher penalties, that puts the price up and makes it less viable for them to ply this trade.

"I think that is what has to happen if we're going to cut off the supply and reduce the horrific impact it's having on people in our city.

"It's so cheaply available, it's cheaper than the price of alcohol and people are able to just pick it up readily.

"We need to see reclassification and put the consequences up for those who are pushing this drug.

"Class A drugs have a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, which is what we need to see."

He said there are only limited options available for helping people afflicted by monkey dust, unlike for those suffering from other types of drugs.

He said: "There's no alternative, for example like methadone. Because it's such a novel drug, we haven't got the level of treatment service available.

"Stoke-on-Trent City Council and local health service have received funding to develop more drug treatment services locally, and I think this has to be the number one priority."

He said the reclassification would mean a greater awareness of the damaging impact the drug has.

He said: "Even if people manage to get off this drug, they're going to have very significant ongoing and life-limiting health conditions as a result of consuming it.

"That's why it's so serious and warrants this action that ministers are taking."

Nevertheless, he said there is more work to be done in tackling the scourge.

Mr Brereton said: "It's fantastic that we've been able to make this progress, but the fight doesn't stop here.

"We've got to continue to support the police and health services to drive this drug off our streets.

"I commend the work that's been done by those services, because the evidence they've provided has really helped to bring that recognition of the need to take action."

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