BAN LEGAL PARTY DRUG SAY DOCTORS

Doctors who treated two nightclub patrons taken unconscious to hospital want
a legal party drug banned before it kills someone.

Auckland Hospital intensive care specialists Dr Les Galler and Dr Gill Hood
treated two men who were admitted comatose early on Saturday suffering
breathing problems and seizures.

They had collapsed in the Auckland nightclub Jones after taking One4b, a
dietary supplement that is not illegal - its makers compare it to "the
elixir of youth" - but is a version of the banned drug Fantasy.

In a strongly worded letter to the Herald, the doctors said they wanted the
community warned of the dangers of the drug.

"In our opinion it is only a matter of time before someone dies as a result
of ingesting One4b or related substances," they said.

"There are safer ways to have a good time ... We will endeavour to publicise
and discourage people from getting their kicks in this unsafe and
potentially lethal way."

A third man who was also at the nightclub was later admitted to hospital in
a serious condition after taking One4b.

The two doctors have passed their concerns to the Ministry of Health.

The company that markets One4b says the product is safe and beneficial if
taken properly.

Mark Barlow, who runs the company with his wife, Kate, said the dietary
supplement was "one of the most beneficial products on the market. It's even
known as the elixir of youth."

In mild doses it is said to produce a subtle calming effect, while in larger
amounts it generates euphoria which can last for several hours.

Mr Barlow said he had instructed his distributors not to sell the substance
in nightclubs.

Fantasy is officially called GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) but is known as GBH
(grievous bodily harm) or liquid Ecstasy.

Mr Barlow described One4b as a "time-release version of GHB."

"It's in a regulated, safe dosage, and if taken properly while adhering to
the cautions, it will not harm you. Everyone who takes it loves it -
providing they don't mix it with alcohol or other drugs."

The dangers of taking One4b in conjunction with any other stimulants -
alcohol, caffeine or other drugs - are marked on the sachet.

Mr Barlow said the comatose state of the men taken to hospital was a natural
effect of the drug. It could produce a three-to-five-hour deep sleep from
which users were "unwakeable."

"The problem may have been that no one knew what they had taken and when
they were in the deep REM sleep some people thought they were gravely ill."

The clear liquid is packaged in 10ml and 5ml sachets, and a set of 15ml
costs $20.

Mr Barlow said he was not in the market to produce a dangerous substance
that would kill people. His company was setting up an education programme
which would be funded by 10 per cent of profits.

Dr Galler said the company's claims were ridiculous and the drug should be
banned. "That's nonsense - it's quite clearly a drug that can cause coma,
respiratory inadequacies and seizures."

Police are looking at charging whoever sold the substance to the men with
causing harm or injury.

Senior Sergeant Colin McMurtrie said the men thought they had followed the
instructions and had not taken alcohol or other drugs.

The Minister of Health, Annette King, was unavailable for comment last
night.