FEARS OVER 'PARTY DRUG'

A party drug that left four people in a coma last month in New Zealand may
be commercially available in Australia within weeks.

Outerspace, the company that marketed the drug as One4b in New Zealand,
says it has a local distributor and has applied to the Therapeutic Goods
Administration to market the drug in Australia.

One4b is made using 1,4 butanediol, a chemical used in plastic, cleaning
solvents and some sleeping pills that increases the body's production of
gamma-hydroxybutyrate to provide a euphoric effect.

Outerspace launched the drug as a dietary supplement at Auckland's Big Day
Out concert on January 19.

Since then, four people in New Zealand have been taken to hospitals in
comas after taking the drug, prompting New Zealand authorities to ban the
sale of One4b last week.

Outerspace managing director Mark Barlow said One4b occurred naturally in
the body and was safe if taken properly.

"Three of the people took other substances along with One4b, and the other
guy took more than eight times the recommended dosage," Mr Barlow said.

But the United States Federal Drug Administration warns that 1,4 butanediol
can cause dangerously low breathing rates, unconsciousness and death. New
Zealand authorities are now investigating whether to permanently ban One4b.

A Therapeutic Goods Administration spokesman would not say whether Mr
Barlow had applied for product approval, but said 1,4 butanediol was not an
authorised ingredient and would have to be investigated before any product
using it could be assessed.

Mr Barlow said he had already found a local distributor for the drug, but
would not give any details.

"We don't want to have police knocking on the door before we've had a
chance to get our product legally approved," he said.

One4b is closely related to Fantasy, a drug also known as Grievous Bodily
Harm, which sends users into a stupor. Mr Barlow said One4b produces a
"warm, tinkling sensation" and is used by body builders and athletes to add
muscle.

One4b was sold in New Zealand in 10-gram sachets for about $NZ10 ($A8).