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." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom