HERBAL HIGHS AND THE LAW

Over-the-counter herbal highs and party pills currently under the
scrutiny of the Government are not as dangerous or addictive as
illicit substances, a Victoria University psychology lecturer says.

The legal highs, presently being sold as dietary supplements, will be
subject to stricter regulations if the third amendment to the Misuse
of Drugs Act is passed.

Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton says he is drafting a
supplementary order paper to the amendment that will give State
agencies increased capacity to monitor the distribution of herbal
highs and other unclassified substances.

"The purpose of the new schedule will be to enable regulations to be
made to protect young New Zealanders in particular against the sale of
legal substances, which are subject to abuse but do not warrant, on
current evidence, regulation under the current risk classes A, B or C
drug classifications."

Victoria University psychology lecturer Dr Johan Lauwereyns says the
party pills are approximately 200 times less likely to activate
dopamine, the brain's happy chemical, in the consumer's head than
illicit drugs.

He says at this lower level the chemical makes the person feel good
but does not create cravings.

"They do (herbal highs) activate dopamine in the brain indirectly but
they do not have the addictive quality illicit substances such as
cocaine have.

"As far as over-the-counter substances go, alcohol is definitely a
much more dangerous drug." The predominant drug used in the "legal
highs", such as Rapture, Zoom and Charge, is benzylpiperazine (BZP).

In April this year the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD)
reported to the Minister of Health there was insufficient information
to recommend BZP and related substances be classified in the Misuse of
Drugs Act (1975).

BZP is illegal in the United States of America and in some states of
Australia, however, the EACD report states there are very few health
risks or psychological risks associated with consumption of the drug.

The drugs produce a euphoric, highly vigilant state and are marketed
as an alternative to the illegal party drugs ecstasy and speed.

Wellington retailer Cosmic Corner sells the "herbal highs" 24 hours a
day during the weekend, through a vending window manned by a staff
member after hours.

Cosmic Corner Wellington manager Iain Hickling says he is concerned
the drugs are now being stocked in dairies and bars because the
consumers are much less likely to get any quality advice on how they
can use them in a safe manner.

He says as a member of the Social Tonics Association of New Zealand
(STANZ), an organisation that represents the industry in monitoring
sales of the energy enhancers, Cosmic Corner supports the new
regulations.

"We are definitely supportive of some sort of regulation on where and
who they can be sold to.we have always felt that as an industry we
have a moral responsibility to regulate packaging and marketing."

Mr Anderton's proposed new schedule will enable restrictions to be
placed on the sale of party pills such as age limits for purchase and
further regulations for the supply, marketing and labelling of the
products.

The new schedule, expected to be decided on this year, will not be
confined to BZP but will include regulative guidelines for other legal
substances that are abused such as solvents.