Research finds more people indulging in party pills than expected

New research that could see party pills outlawed shows that the number of New Zealanders indulging in the legal highs is greater than thought.

The study, which sampled 2010 people between 13 and 45 years old throughout the country, found that one in five people had tried party pills and of the one in seven who had tried them in the past year, 15 per cent said the experience had a poor effect on their health.

The research is the first of a four-step project - commissioned by the Ministry of Health - into the pills' use and effects. It is the first set of ministry data on how widespread the party pill phenomenon is; until now there has only been anecdotal evidence.

The final results, expected in July, could lead to a Government ban on party pills. "The findings of this study show that the number of New Zealanders taking party pills or BZP (benzylpiperazine) is much higher than previously thought," said Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton, the chairman of the ministerial committee on drugs.

The debate over party pills - legal highs that can have similar effects to amphetamine or Ecstasy - has intensified over what critics say is a growing problem.

Paul Gee, of Christchurch Hospital, said the emergency department dealt with about one BZP-influenced patient a week.

"We have encountered people under the influence of BZP who have threatened family members with weapons and in one case set fire to their house while barricaded inside."

Dr Gee said 98 per cent of users could feel "a bit washed out for three or four days".

But the effects could be much more serious, including metabolic derangements, life-threatening seizures and even psychiatric illnesses.

He said the research was enough to convince him party pills should be banned.

The study showed more than one in five users complained of nausea and headaches, and one in six of dizziness.

Others said they had had memory lapses (9.1 per cent), hallucinations (8.8 per cent), and chest pains (3.8). But only 1.2 per cent had required an ambulance, and one in 250 had been admitted to a hospital emergency room.

Of those that took party pills last year, the study found:

* Sixty per cent said they were just experimenting and had stopped taking them.

* One in 18 used party pills at least once a week. One in six had been on binges - defined as continuous use for 24 hours or more.

* One in 10 felt their use was sometimes out of control and 2.2 per cent were addicted, but nearly all (97.9 per cent) said it would not be difficult to stop.

* One in six users had driven under the influence of party pills.

* One in six did not know what a safe dosage was.

* Use was greatest among 18- and 19-year-olds (33.9 per cent) and 20- to 24-year-olds (38 per cent). One in six 15- to 17-year-olds had also taken them.

* Nearly nine out of ten said they used party pills with other substances.

Sixty per cent of all respondents said the regulations on party pills were too light. Nearly half supported an outright ban. Though one in seven said they had moved from legal highs on to illicit drugs, 44 per cent said they had moved in the opposite direction.

Matt Bowden, chairman of the Social Tonics Association, said this showed how legal highs were reducing the demand on illegal substances.

"Every time someone is taking a BZP pill, they're not taking Ecstasy or P. The survey also found that, by and large, the majority of users are not having problems."

But National MP Jacqui Dean - who has campaigned for tighter restrictions on party pills - said the research was another reason for the Government to take action.

Mr Anderton said the final results would be referred to the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs in July, which would consider if measures were needed to reduce the potential for harm.

PARTY PILLS

* Party pills are sold under a wide range of product names, including Charge, Kandi and Red Hearts.

* The main active ingredients are benzylpiperazine (BZP) and triflurophenylmethylpiperazine (TFMPP).

* BZP has been found to have effects similar to low potency amphetamine and TFMPP is reported to have effects similar to Ecstasy.

* About 20 million pills have been sold over the past six years, and the industry is estimated to make $24 million a year.

- Additional reporting by NZPA