PARTY DRUG SPARKS CITY RAID

A Timaru company behind the supply of the controversial One4b party
drug had its base raided yesterday by the Ministry of Health and the
police national drug intelligence bureau.

Alphaware NZ's stock of Puritech head cleaning solution was seized as
part of the ministry's investigations into One4b, the substance
believed responsible for four hospital admissions in Auckland in the
last week.

One4b is being distributed by an Auckland company, Outerspace, and
Alphaware's internet site lists Outerspace as one of its New Zealand
suppliers.

Alphaware, which is based at 4 Belfield Street, advertises itself on
the internet as "suppliers of legal highs".

The welcome to its website says . . . "where it is our goal to forge
solid and mutually beneficially relations between distributors and
customers so we can provide a wide network to supply the most recent
and popular legal highs in the world easily and efficiently to people
who would otherwise not have access to these products".

Neither the company principal James McNee nor Timaru distributor
Steve Ross were prepared to talk to the Herald.

The Puritech distributed by Alphaware and One4b contain 1,4
butanediol, an industrial solvent.

Puritech is marketed as a record, CD and head cleaner, carries a
warning to keep it out of the reach of children, and states the
product is not intended for use as a dietary supplement.

One4b is marketed as a dietary supplement but is a close cousin of
the illegal drug Fantasy, also known as GBH (grievous bodily harm) or
liquid ecstasy.

It is made from a different chemical but, when ingested, the body's
fluids turn it into GHB (gamma hydroxy butyrate) which is used to
make Fantasy. The drugs produce similar euphoric sensations.

Alphaware sells Puritech in one-litre bottles for $165 (including
postage) and 300ml bottles for $65.

Outerspace repackages and reformulates it into a double sachet (10
and 5mls) of One4b, which it sells for $20.

Demand for the substance has skyrocketed despite warnings by the
Ministry of Health, doctors and police that it may be lethal.

Outerspace started recalling its supplies on Monday night after being
told by the ministry to take One4b off the market while its legality
was investigated.

The ministry believes the substance may have breached the Food Act by
causing harm to users. If it has, the manufacturers may be prosecuted.

One4b is an "unapproved drug" in the United States and not considered
a dietary supplement. It has been banned there, making it illegal to
make, distribute or market as a treatment for a particular condition.

New Zealand's Director General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi, has
warned that 1,4 butanediol is potentially dangerous as it contains
chemicals that produce a powerful hypnotic state which can cause
unconsciousness and respiratory depression.

The risks are increased when the substance is mixed with alcohol or
drugs such as depressants.