PARTY PILLS TOO HARD TO POLICE

Party pills need government drug classification before police can act
on a person driving under the influence, Palmerston North Police say.

Sergeant Doug Seal said currently police can confiscate keys from a
driver who's under the influence of alcohol or drugs and unable to drive.

"We can also take the keys from someone angry at getting a ticket."

But police can only enforce a blood test when alcohol is a factor,
Sgt Seal said.

However, anyone can be arrested if police suspect alcohol or drugs as
the reason they can't drive.

"Obviously, if they open the car door and they fall out comatose,
then that is a concern."

Sgt Seal's comments come at the same time as Queenstown police
frustration with the inability to take blood tests from people they
suspect of driving under the influence of drugs.

Queenstown Constable Sean Drader said young people thought it was
legal to drive after taking party pills.

"But if you're driving so poorly that you are all over the road, then
it is illegal," Const Drader said. "No one has done any tests to say
what the legal limit should be."

A 17 year old was arrested after he was suspected of swallowing 40 party pills.

A medical examination was ordered, but a blood test could not be done
because no alcohol was involved, Const Drader said.

Sgt Seal agreed a driver under the influence of party pills was hard to detect.

If party pills, or herbal highs, were given statutory classification,
police could then enforce a blood test, he said.