DEBATE WARNED OF DRUGS IN QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown: Hard drugs are readily available in Queenstown and there is an
increasing problem of drink spiking in the resort, a local drug and alcohol
counsellor told those at a debate last night.

Ecstasy, LSD, cocaine and methamphetamine-based drugs, including P were all
available, Jay McCormack said.

"There is a big availability of drugs in this area, and there is a big
problem with drink spiking," she said.

Ms McCormack was addressing about 70 Wakatipu High School pupils, their
parents and caregivers, who attended the debate on drugs and alcohol in the
Queenstown Memorial Hall. The event was hosted by community youth worker
Merv Aoake, and guided by a panel of experts, including Ms McCormack,
Sergeant Andy Horne and Queenstown GP Simon Davies.

Following "house rules" - what is said in the hall stays in the hall - both
teenagers and adults shared their experiences of drugs and alcohol with the
group.

Ms McCormack said she was sad about the amount of drugs she saw in Wakatipu
and urged young people to look after their friends when they were out, to
keep each other safe.

As well as illegal drugs, the controversial legal herbal highs were a
growing problem, particularly when people mixed them with alcohol.

Pills which contain benzylpiperazine are touted as a legal alternative to
Speed.

"It may say it's natural, but it is speed - that's the bottom line," Ms
McCormack said.

Sgt Horne said herbal highs were classified above cannabis in the United
States.

"It's madness that they are not classified here," he said.

Sgt Horne said although they were meant to be restricted to people over 18,
many retailers were happy to sell them to underage consumers.

Dr Davies said in his time in Queenstown the sickest person he had seen was
a 24-year-old who had consumed a mixture of herbal highs and alcohol.

"He was extremely unwell and, to be honest, it was very disturbing to me."

From the audience, high school deputy principal Grant Adolph said nitrus
oxide was being widely used in Queenstown, evidenced by the used canisters
he had seen left lying around.

The growing market of sweet pre-mixed alcoholic drinks that were targeted at
young people disturbed him, as they introduced young people to spirits, he
said.

However, Dr Davies said it did not really matter what alcohol young people
were drinking. It was the alcoholic content that was the problem.

Mr Aoake said the idea for the evening had arisen after a drug and alcohol
workshop he and several others of the organisers had attended earlier in the
year.