WARNING TO AVOID FANTASY

Police are warning Queens-town partygoers to steer clear of the
illegal designer drug fantasy which has shown up in the town.

A 27-year-old Queenstown man was rushed to hospital last month after
ingesting the drug. The same night, an Auckland student died after
taking designer drugs.

The Queenstown man is believed to have taken a cocktail of drugs,
including ecstasy and speed, and was unconscious when picked up by
ambulance staff. He was in a serious but stable condition when
admitted to hospital and was later released.

It was the second incident in two months in which ambulance staff in
Queenstown had dealt with overdoses of designer drugs.

Detective Sergeant Grahme Bartlett, of Queenstown, said police were
concerned about the emergence of the drug in the town and warned
people to steer clear of it.

It was too early to say whether charges would be laid, he
said.

"We're most certainly concerned about it because of the ramifications
and consequences of its use.

"Those people delving into experimenting with it are paying a very
heavy price," Det Sgt Bartlett said.

"By all means go out and enjoy yourself but do it without any
additional supplements."