CHANGE 'JUST SAY NO' MESSAGE: EXPERTS

THE use of so-called party drugs is continuing to boom and needs a more
sophisticated response than "just say no", drug experts say.

Speakers from around Australia told the inaugural Victorian Party Drug
Symposium that drugs such as E and speed caused fewer social or health
problems than alcohol and warned against overreacting to their use by young
people.

However, as use increased so did the number of young people appearing at
hospital emergency wards suffering from the misuse of party drugs.

Dr Venita Munir, of St Vincent's Hospital emergency department, said people
were arriving at hospital with symptoms ranging from drowsiness and
confusion to chest pain, nausea and seizures.

Those affected by the party drug GHB were brought to hospital after
collapsing and losing consciousness, sometimes requiring long-term care.

But the numbers affected badly by party drugs were much smaller than the
casualties of alcohol.

Her hospital treated two to four people a week affected by party drugs,
compared with up to 20 or more patients with alcohol-related injuries or
problems.

Insp. Steve James, of the Victoria police drug and alcohol strategy unit,
said he was having trouble telling his 18-year-old daughter to say no to
drugs without seeming hypocritical, considering the acceptability of
getting drunk on alcohol.

But he warned that young people were being targeted by drug manufacturers.