FUN OR DANGER IN PARTY PILLS?

Party Pills: Harmless Fun or a Dangerous Drug?

With concerns being raised about the safety of legal party pills, the
Government is considering clamping down on the sale of the "herbal
highs". But others say the pills are a safe alternative to drugs such
as P, and are as popular among housewives and 40-somethings as young
partygoers.

The active ingredient in most pills, benzylpiperazine (BZP), is banned
in the United States and is a "controlled substance" in Australia. In
New Zealand in 2005 sales were limited to over-18s.

The restriction was a "a damn good thing," said Whangarei addiction
specialist and GP Alistair Dunn.

He has seen what he believes was one case of BZP addiction, and is
worried about the long-term effects of the drug - especially on
growing brains. "We don't know how much will do what, and what amount
is a safe amount," he said.

Zoe Baird of Whangarei's Cactus Liquor sells around 50 types of the
pills and says many see it as a good way to get off illegal drugs.
"Nobody's going to hurt other people on these pills. It's not like P.
It's more like self-abuse," she said. "If they can use these things to
get off P, then I'm all for it."

Ms Baird, who has tried pills three times in the last three years for
"research purposes", reckons the quality and strength of BZP varies,
and it affects people in different ways. "Fifty milligrams in one pill
might be equivalent to 100mg in another." She has noticed a trend for
people asking for "gentle" drugs and said staff were often asked for
advice by first-timers.

"You'd be surprised at who takes them," she said. "It's not just young
people. Half our customers would be in their 40s. There are a lot of
housewives. They might have had a hard weekend and need to get up on
Monday and go to work."

Whangarei Hospital's emergency department director Scott Cameron
estimates his staff sees one party pill-related case a fortnight. The
most common symptoms were nausea, vomiting, tremors and the odd
seizure. While he rates alcohol as "the worst party drug", Dr Cameron
thinks BZP warrants tougher restrictions. He worries about people
exceeding recommended doses. "Obviously the more pills you take, the
higher the risk of adverse effects."

Dr Dunn said heavy use of the pills could lead to psychosis, and
withdrawal symptoms might include depression. One 24-year-old
pill-taker said while the "high" could be great, she has been put off
because of after-effects. "You feel like crap. Depending on how many
you've taken and the strength, it feels just like a drink hangover."

Tests commissioned by Radio New Zealand found some pills with BZP
levels higher than stated on the label - 526mg instead of 500mg.

With a recommended dose of two tablets, that far exceeds the maximum
200mg dose recommended by Matt Bowden of the Social Tonics
Association.

Mr Bowden is calling on the Government to restrict levels of BZP
rather than ban it outright. He sees pills as a safer alternative for
hardened drug users, but urges young people not to try any kind of
drug.

"Better to develop ways you interact socially with a really clear
head, without any drugs in your body," he said.

Jim Anderton, minister in charge of drugs policy, said the government
was awaiting three reports on BZP. Otago MP Jacqui Dean has 3000
signatures on a petition seeking the reclassification of party pills.
It is expected to go to parliament in February.

[sidebar]

* PARTY PILL POINTERS

. Keep up fluids. Water and orange juice are good.

. Don't mix pills with alcohol, other drugs or medication.

. Start with a low dose, and never exceed the recommended
maximum.

. Be patient. Effects can take a while to come on.

. BZP is not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women, or
people with medical conditions (especially heart disorders, mental
illness or seizures).

. Pills cost around $40 a pack of six.

. There is no restriction on where pills can be sold, but they cannot
be sold by or to under-18s.

. They are mostly available from liquor outlets, novelty and sex
shops.

. Pills cannot be advertised on radio, TV or in print.

. About 20 million pills have been consumed in New Zealand in the last
six years.

. The party pill industry is reportedly worth $24 million a year.