Pubdate: Wed, 03 Mar 2004
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2004
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/otago
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Author: Lea Stewart
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)

HIGHS AND LOWS OF PARTY DRUGS

"I danced all night."

"I felt sick. I'll never do it again."

"It was better than cocaine."

"It did nothing for me. I just couldn't get to sleep for about a day."

These are some of the comments from young Dunedin people who have indulged 
in legal highs - they have taken pills containing derivatives of piperazine 
which are readily available from at least five Dunedin outlets; Cosmic 
Corner convenience store, The Southern Break bar, Trendez clothing store, 
Echo Records and the Underground Market.

An Otago Daily Times reporter who went shopping this week found a container 
of six Charge pills costs about $40. The bottle recommends a maximum dose 
of two lots of three tablets, two hours apart.

The small print on a bottle of Charge states: R18. Do not underestimate 
Charge's powerful effects. Do not exceed stated dose. Do not use with any 
other medicines or drugs. May cause increased heart rate and short term 
insomnia. Not suitable for pregnant or lactating mothers or individuals 
with any medical conditions or mental illness. May function as a central 
nervous system stimulant.

Depending on who you speak to, the pills are either a must for any 
party-goer or something to be avoided.

One 22-year-old said she felt nauseous immediately after taking a variety 
called Frenzy, but an hour later was energised and "tripping".

"It was like speed. Everything was vibrant - like, wow."

However, one of her peers told a different story.

"I didn't like it all. I didn't really feel much except sick. Then when I 
tried to go to sleep about 12 hours later, I couldn't."

Cosmic Corner, in George St, has a wide range of "herbal highs" available 
and does not close from Thursday nights to Sunday mornings.

The store opens a window, which has now become known as "the hole in the 
wall", and sells its products from there.

That store, along with Trendez did not return calls from the ODT yesterday. 
Southern Break and the Underground Market were not able to be contacted.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom