A YOUNG dad has made a heartfelt plea for people to turn their backs on the drug mephedrone or 'drone.

Karl Davies, 24, of Sedbury says the formerly "legal high" has ruined his life but is still widely available across the Forest and Monmouthshire.

He said: "It's known as 'drone or miaow and it is evil – I know people who have died because of it.

"People are stealing to get the money to buy it. It is ruining lives."

"It's available all around the Forest and Chepstow if you know where to look but I want to say to everyone: "Don't do 'drone.

"I'm well-known in the area and some people will say I'm a hypocrite but this message needs to get out.

"It ruined my life but I'm clean now and I'm determined that I'll never use a chemical like this ever again.

"It makes you stop respecting others and yourself."

"When you take it you feel good for a little while but then it makes you feel so bad.

"Anything that is bad in your life is magnified 10 times and there's the danger that people will harm themselves.

"I just don't want others to have to go through what I've been through to find out what this stuff is really like."

Mephedrone is a powerful stimulant and closely related to amphetamine.

It was legal for a time but is now a Class B and possession can lead to up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine.