Pubdate: Fri, 18 Dec 1998
Source: Courier-Mail, The (Australia)
Section: Page 16
Contact:  http://www.thecouriermail.com.au/
Copyright: News Limited 1998

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

A BRISBANE disc jockey is attempting to gain government sponsorship to
promote "natural drugs" at rave parties.

Andrew Stephens, or DJ Andrew, has founded an organisation, Dancesafe,
and wants government help to start selling products such as the Amazon
berry Guarana at Brisbane rave parties.

"I've been aware that a lot of people now have the concept that going
to rave parties is all about getting trashed and taking drugs. And
these days you can't convince younger people that they can enjoy it
without drugs.

"So I'm offering them substances which still give a high but they're
not dangerous. They have no side effects or withdrawal symptoms at
all," he said. Andrew said there was a variety pf natural "high drugs"
including guarana, natural ecstasy (made from similar ingredients to
cold and flu tablets) and creatine and glutomine, also used by rugby
league players for stamina. Andrew said government agencies he had
spoken to about the plan had been very positive in their responses and
he expected to get the project up and running by next year.

However, Drug Arm spokeswoman Judith Hart said they were concerned
that most of the "natural" drugs available on the market had not been
through government food and alcohol testing to ensure they were safe.

She had gathered anecdotal evidence showing users of natural ecstasy
in Northern New South Wales had suffered very uncomfortable side effects.

"I think it's to be applauded that someone within the rave industry is
making an effort to have a drug free industry but I think it could be
drug free without any substances.

"I mean surely the music is enough to get you high." 

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Checked-by: Rich O'Grady