DRUG USERS TEST KIT

PERTH's illegal drug users are snapping up a do-it-yourself kit that can
tell "good" ecstasy from the cocktails of chemicals often sold to
unsuspecting users.

But police say the kits are dangerous and could give drug users a false
sense of security.

The "E-Z Test" kit is marketed as a potential life-saver. The kit - a small
amount of chemical reagent and a colour chart - sells for between $15 and $50.

Promotional material encourages users to "protect (themselves) against the
polluted XTC (ecstasy) market".

One of the kit's creators, Tony Puglio, says it can save lives by giving
users a better indication of what they are taking.

"All drugs carry risks and we assume people who use the kit will already be
taking those drugs," he has told the BBC.

But Acting Det-Supt Fred Gere, of the organised crime division, said any
potential to save lives was limited.

"If it was going to save lives then health and law enforcement authorities
would have looked at it years ago," Supt Gere said. "This is just someone
making money out of something used for illegal purposes."

Police could use possession of a kit as proof of intent in a criminal
charge, he said.

Police Minister Kevin Prince said the kit promoted illegal drug use. "I
would not wish death on anybody but the best way to prevent that is do not
take the stuff," he said.

WA Chemistry Centre chief scientist Colin Priddis tested the kit for The
West Australian .

It successfully distinguished ecstasy from most other substances, Mr
Priddis said.

For instance it would give a different result if a pill was the toxic
chemical PMA, sometimes passed off as ecstasy and blamed for at least three
deaths in Perth since October.

The test kit also would distinguish ecstasy tablets from amphetamines
(speed), caffeine, aspirin and vitamins.

However the reagent in the kit was not fresh and therefore less reliable,
Mr Priddis said. Also, it would not detect if an ecstasy tablet also
contained other chemicals such as the anaesthetic ketamine.

The kits are sold at several Perth shops, including a music store and a
clothing store. At one outlet, they have been selling out faster than they
could be re-ordered.

Tamara Speed, of the WA Substance Users Association, said she was in favour
of drug testing kits, but would not condone E-Z Test until it was proved to
be reliable and came with drug education material.