REMEDY FOR 'P' USERS PROBED

A herbal supplement claiming to help drug users withdraw from P is being
investigated by the Health Ministry.

StopP is sold widely in novelty shops and sex stores. Its label claims it
assists "in times of withdrawal from methamphetamines" and helps replace
chemicals lost during P use.

A website ad says the supplement "contains the organic building blocks and
healing plants to rebuild your brain and body and distract you from the
craving".

Herbal supplements are covered by the Food Safety Authority unless they
make therapeutic claims.

Medsafe manager Clare Van Der Lem said the website ad made therapeutic
claims and therefore StopP would have to be classified as a medicine.

"If products have not been assessed and the minister of health has not
given her consent for distribution, then the companies are in breach of the
Medicines Act."

The maximum fine for breaching the act by advertising or distributing a
medicine without consent is $100,000.

StopP is produced by Stargate International. Owner Matt Bowden would not
comment on the investigation.

National Addiction Centre director Doug Sellman said: "These products may
get people thinking they've found an antidote and this product will protect
their brain, so they can use more (P)."

But Auckland University researcher Dr Helen Warren is hoping for clinical
trials of the drug after seeing StopP produce a "marked improvement" in her
clients. "Clients using StopP were much more able to concentrate and stay
in one place."