Legal party drugs sold without labels dangerous: watchdog

A turf war in the world of legal drugs has erupted and health and industry experts warn young party-goers are getting caught in the crossfire - and ending up in hospital.

The Drug Foundation said yesterday competition between Christchurch manufacturers had resulted in party pills or herbal highs being sold by shops in unmarked clear plastic bags.

It was a dangerous practice, foundation executive director Ross Bell said. "People might not know what they are taking and might not know the recommended dose."

Mr Bell said there was "hysteria" from some Christchurch doctors who said young people were ending up in hospital emergency departments after becoming ill on the pills.

The predominant ingredient in party pills is benzylpiperazine (BZP), which is derived from the pepper plant and legal in New Zealand.

BZP was also an ingredient used in farm animal worming tablets, Mr Bell said.

People could take BZP safety by ensuring they took the recommended dose, did not drink alcohol with them and drank plenty of water, he said.

The pills were regulated under the dietary supplements regulations, which required them to be labelled with ingredients and doses. 

Industry group Social Tonic Association of New Zealand spokesman Matt Bowden said Auckland Hospital saw about one BZP user a month, who was usually sent home without requiring treatment but there had been a recent cluster of hospital admissions in Christchurch.

"All of a sudden we see Christchurch Hospital saying they are seeing six people a week," he said.

"It would appear that a lot more active material is being put in each capsule there, so people who are expecting to take normal dose pills are taking something which is a much higher dose."

The majority of manufacturers took a responsible approach to the marketing of the products, he said.

"People should pay attention to the labelling and see how much BZP is in the product. If there's no labelling, they should avoid it."

Stanz would like to see public health officials do something to enforce the labelling of party pills, Mr Bowden said.

However, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey said it was not up to the medical officer of health or the city council to enforce the labelling of the pills.

"There is no legislation; it is not a controlled medicine."

Party drugs

Party pills contain benzylpiperazine (BZP), derived from the pepper plant. It is legal in New Zealand.

An estimated 5 million have been sold in NZ since 2000.

An official advisory panel wants the marketing and sale of party pills restricted to people over 18 years.

- NZPA