PARTY PILL FOE CRUSHED

A Manukau campaigner is outraged alleged political tactics have
prevented a bill banning party pills becoming law before Christmas.

Daniel Newman says the pills will still be available and legal over
the Christmas and New Year period which he calls a "danger time for
consumption".

Associate health minister Jim Anderton had aimed to have the Misuse
of Drugs - Classification of BZP - Amendment Bill made into law
before Parliament wrapped up for the year.

It seeks to classify party pills as class C1 drugs, meaning anyone
supplying them would have been liable to fines or a jail sentence.

Mr Anderton says the Green Party declined to allow the bill to
proceed under urgency in the house before Christmas. But the Greens
say they were never approached to do so.

A spokeswoman says if Mr Anderton couldn't get the bill through the
house, it was because he failed to get the necessary political support.

Mr Newman says the bill may not now be passed until near the end of summer.

A statement from Mr Anderton says "early in the new year".

Mr Newman says the delay demonstrates the danger of the Green Party
having an influence over policy-making in Parliament.

Earlier this year Mr Newman and Angela Dalton campaigned against a
Manurewa liquor outlet applying to sell party pills.

After a Liquor Licensing Authority ruling concerning the outlet, the
Manukau District Licensing Agency moved in September to ask retailers
to remove party pills from their shelves or face losing their licences.

Mr Anderton's bill was introduced to Parliament after expert advice
that party pills pose a moderate risk of harm.

It passed its first reading in September by 113 votes to eight, with
the Greens and Act opposed.

A majority of Parliament's health select committee recommended the
bill become law, with Greens and Maori Party members opposed.

In the select committee report the Greens called the bill politically
expedient, kneejerk and rushed.

If made law, it could increase the risk of harm from party pills if
people switched to more dangerous illegal drugs, the Greens say.

Use could be driven underground and gangs could control supply.

The Greens says they have long supported controls and enforcement on
the supply of party pills.

Parliament shouldn't make party pills illegal before seriously trying
to regulate their use, they say.