Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jan 2001
Source: Southland Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2001, Southland Times Company Ltd.
Contact:  PO Box 805, Invercargill
Fax: +64 3 214-9905
Author: David Cosgriff

PARTY DRUG'S ILL EFFECTS YET TO HIT SOUTHERN REVELLERS

No Southlanders had landed in hospital yet from overdosing on the new party 
drug One4b, a Southland Hospital spokeswoman said yesterday.

Perioperative patient services manager Lexie O'Shea said no patients had 
been admitted to either Queenstown or the Invercargill hospital suffering 
from the effects of the drug.

"It's come as far south as Christchurch definitely, but we're awaiting our 
first case," Ms O'Shea said.

The Health Ministry on Monday issued a rare public warning urging people 
not to take the drug.

It also ordered distributor Outerspace to withdraw the drug from sale.

Four Aucklanders have overdosed on the drug in recent days and doctors fear 
someone will die.

Three of the four people had been comatose on admittance and all were 
suffering breathing problems and seizures.

Director-General of Health Dr Karen Poutasi said One4b may have breached 
the Food Act and possibly the Medicines Act. If it had, its distributors 
were likely to be prosecuted.

Outerspace owner Mark Barlow said he had handed all his stock to the 
ministry and had recalled the remaining product.
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MAP posted-by: GD