HIGHS AND LOWS OF PARTY DRUGS

"I danced all night."

"I felt sick. I'll never do it again."

"It was better than cocaine."

"It did nothing for me. I just couldn't get to sleep for about a day."

These are some of the comments from young Dunedin people who have indulged
in legal highs - they have taken pills containing derivatives of piperazine
which are readily available from at least five Dunedin outlets; Cosmic
Corner convenience store, The Southern Break bar, Trendez clothing store,
Echo Records and the Underground Market.

An Otago Daily Times reporter who went shopping this week found a container
of six Charge pills costs about $40. The bottle recommends a maximum dose
of two lots of three tablets, two hours apart.

The small print on a bottle of Charge states: R18. Do not underestimate
Charge's powerful effects. Do not exceed stated dose. Do not use with any
other medicines or drugs. May cause increased heart rate and short term
insomnia. Not suitable for pregnant or lactating mothers or individuals
with any medical conditions or mental illness. May function as a central
nervous system stimulant.

Depending on who you speak to, the pills are either a must for any
party-goer or something to be avoided.

One 22-year-old said she felt nauseous immediately after taking a variety
called Frenzy, but an hour later was energised and "tripping".

"It was like speed. Everything was vibrant - like, wow."

However, one of her peers told a different story.

"I didn't like it all. I didn't really feel much except sick. Then when I
tried to go to sleep about 12 hours later, I couldn't."

Cosmic Corner, in George St, has a wide range of "herbal highs" available
and does not close from Thursday nights to Sunday mornings.

The store opens a window, which has now become known as "the hole in the
wall", and sells its products from there.

That store, along with Trendez did not return calls from the ODT yesterday.
Southern Break and the Underground Market were not able to be contacted.