Pubdate: Wed, 23 Feb 2005
Source: Press, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.press.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/349
Author: Jarrod Booker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

FEARS HELD FOR STUDENTS USING HERBAL PILLS

St John Ambulance fears it will be swamped by students overdosing on 
"herbal high" pills as university orientation gets into full swing.

Ambulance staff had noticed an increase in people collapsing after taking 
the legal stimulants at events, and are urging students in orientation 
events to be careful.

"Last year, at a large-scale event, St John treated five people who 
collapsed, four of them with seizures," said Canterbury ambulance manager 
Chris Haines.

"In some cases these people had consumed up to 10 times the recommended 
dose before turning up at the event they were attending."

Since then, party-goers had been "filling up ambulances" after abusing the 
over-the-counter products.

"The message is: just because it is herbal, doesn't mean it is safe, 
particularly if consumed in large quantities," he said. "People just need 
to ask themselves whether a great night out is worth the risk of intensive 
care?"

The University of Canterbury Student Association (UCSA), which is running 
orientation week events, strongly encouraged students to party in moderation.

But UCSA president George Hampton said it did come down to personal choice 
and responsibility.

"Part of being a student is experimenting while you are at university. We 
are here to study and have a good time as well," Hampton said.

Emergency medicine specialist Professor Mike Ardagh said Christchurch 
Hospital had dealt with about 20 people apparently suffering the effects of 
herbal highs between Christmas and the end of January. Some appeared to 
have also taken illegal drugs.

Patients had a sense of altered reality, were frightened, shaking, vomiting 
and suffering abdominal cramps. One person was suffering an allergic 
reaction to the pills.

"You don't actually know what you are getting with these products. The 
market for them is completely unregulated," Ardagh said.

The Social Tonics Association of New Zealand (Stanz), which represents the 
legal stimulants industry, said about eight million pills had been consumed 
in New Zealand with only a "handful" of problems.

Stanz spokesman Matt Bowden said he wondered how many people treated by 
ambulance staff were coming clean about what they had taken. "People are 
sometimes taking (illegal drug) Ecstasy and taking too much and the 
ambulance comes and the person says they have just been taking the herbals. 
They don't want to get themselves or their friends busted. Just tell the 
truth about what you really had."

Bowden urged anyone taking legal stimulants to avoid alcohol, drink plenty 
of water and follow the instructions provided with the pills.

"Less is more. Just make a decision about what you want to take and stick 
to your guns."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom