Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jun 2004
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2004 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: Elizabeth Binning
Contact: PARTY PILLS TO COME WITH 'STAR' RATINGS

People seeking a natural high before a big night out could soon buy party 
pills that come with a gold-star rating.

The rating does not indicate the kind of high people get from the popular 
pepper-derived pills such as Frenzy, Charge and Exodus.

It is about assuring consumers that the pills have passed random and 
regular quality tests and that they are being sold by health and 
safety-conscious retailers.

The Qualmark star system, similar to that used for accommodation standards, 
is one suggestion in a proposed code of standards for retailers and 
suppliers of the pills, which are pitched as a safe and legal alternative 
to drugs.

It is estimated that 5 million such pills have been sold in New Zealand 
since 2000.

Most are taken by young people looking for a natural high before a big 
event or something to get them through all-night dance parties.

In March, concern over the pills, which are banned in the United States, 
was highlighted when five Dunedin students needed hospital care after 
taking Charge and Rapture. An investigation by the Expert Advisory 
Committee on Drugs has since deemed the pills legal here and the energy 
supplement industry is doing everything it can to prove itself responsible.

A proposal of best-practice standards has been prepared by the Social Tonic 
Association (Stanz), a collective of about 10 representatives of suppliers 
and retailers, and published on the internet.

Stanz chairman Matt Bowden, a former drug user who turned to natural party 
pills after his cousin died from an Ecstasy-related death, said the 
association wanted feedback from the community on the proposal.

Regular party pill users the Herald spoke to supported the proposed 
standards, especially the Qualmark stars idea.

"If I had a choice I would definitely buy ones with the stars," said one 
Hamilton woman who now uses the pills instead of illegal drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager