Pubdate: Tue, 24 May 2005
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 Allied Press Limited
Contact:  http://www.odt.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Author:  Kim Woodham, and NZPA
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

TOXICOLOGIST WANTS BAN ON PARTY PILLS

A Dunedin toxicologist supports restricting the sale of legal party pills, 
but would also like to see them banned. Dr John Fountain, from the National 
Poisons Centre in Dunedin, said he had noticed a steady increase in the 
number of people using party pills during the past two years. The centre 
received about 14 calls a month from people experiencing the side effects 
of benzylpiperazine (BZP) pills and 10 calls from the public and health 
professionals.

A parliamentary health select committee yesterday reported back the Misuse 
of Drugs Amendment Bill (No 3), which amends drug-related legislation.

The committee agreed low-risk substances used to get high, such as BZP, 
should be restricted, rather than outlawed.

Since the start of the year, 20 people have sought treatment at the Dunedin 
Hospital emergency department because they mixed BZP, which is classified 
neither as a drug, nor as a dietary supplement, with alcohol.

At the weekend, an 18-year-old woman was taken to Christchurch Hospital 
after swallowing 10 pills containing BZP.

BZP typically causes euphoria, but can result in agitation, vomiting, 
abdominal pain and seizures.

Dr Fountain said more independent research was needed to prove the harmful 
effects of BZP.

"I believe BZP shouldn't be allowed to be sold legally," he said.

Dr Fountain is seeking ethical approval for a year-long national study on 
people affected by party pills. Committee chairwoman Steve Chadwick said 
there was a general consensus the substances should be regulated and that 
was in line with the opinion of the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs.

"As we still have reservations about the safety of BZP, we think that 
restrictions and guidelines need to be in place. We expect the Expert 
Advisory Committee on Drugs will continue to monitor research on the level 
of harm associated with BZP and assess the risk it poses," Ms Chadwick said 
in a statement.

New Zealand Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell welcomed the 
committee's recommendations.

"The amendments provide the framework for party pills to be regulated, but 
not banned outright, a flexible mechanism for harm-minimisation that hasn't 
existed before," Mr Bell said.

At present, there was no requirement for people selling party pills to warn 
people that taking large quantities would make them sick, he said.

"While we can't regulate against personal stupidity, we can regulate 
against unsafe marketing practice and ensure the consumer is given 
sufficient information about the risks and effects of party pills." 
Associate Minister of Health Jim Anderton said he was pleased with the 
recommendations, but wanted substances such as butane gas and aerosols 
regulated.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom