KEY POINTS:
A mother whose son is fighting for his life after taking party pills wants to see them banned.
Ben Rodden, 23, became seriously ill after taking Torque, a brand of party pills available over the counter, to keep him alert while he was deejaying at an all-night weekend rave in Greymouth.
About 3am on Sunday he started shaking and sweating uncontrollably and "quickly went downhill".
"I don't know how many he took. Only he knows that," said his mother, Wendy Rodden. "I just think they should be banned. But what happens then? They go underground? They are just not good for the kids."
Mr Rodden remained in an induced coma yesterday in Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit, after being flown from Greymouth. He may have permanent damage to his liver and kidneys.
The controversial party pill ingredient benzylpiperazine (BZP) was found in his system, as was caffeine. It is unclear if he took anything else, but his mother said doctors at Christchurch Hospital did not find alcohol in his system.
"They say he is young and he can heal. We have just got to wait and see," Mrs Rodden said.
"It's very traumatic. His brothers are taking it very hard. It's tough for the extended family as well - they are all gutted."
The chairman of the ministerial committee on drugs, Jim Anderton, said several studies and reports from New Zealand health researchers outlined the "real and potential harm" caused by party pills containing BZP.
"While there have been no recorded deaths attributed solely to the use of BZP, we know that severe adverse effects from the use of party pills occur unpredictably and that the seizures which have been recorded have the potential to kill. Everyone should know that."
Professor Mike Ardagh, a specialist at Christchurch Hospital's emergency department, said the hospital saw regular cases of people unwell after taking party pills.
Symptoms ranged from agitation and paranoia to seizures and even more serious results such as that suffered by Mr Rodden.
The Social Tonics Association (Stanz), which represents the party pill industry, said a ban was the wrong approach.
Stanz has suggested regulations and a safety code to govern the manufacture, sale and use of party pills. These included a restriction on the amount of BZP in a tablet, and a requirement for health warnings on packaging.
"Prohibition has never worked, not in any country and not at any time, and will not work in New Zealand either," said Stanz chairman Matt Bowden. "It will simply deliver the market to the gangs, and to hard drugs like P.
"BZP was designed as a stimulant which, unlike P, is not addictive and does not provoke violent or criminal behaviour."
National MP Jacqui Dean said Mr Anderton was sitting on his hands.
"Here we have a young man on life support, while worried doctors in Christchurch are watching rising numbers of party pill users end up in hospital. What is it going to take for the minister to act?"
Ban moves
* The Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs has recommended the Government make common ingredients in party pills, such BZP, phenylpiperazines and related piperazines, illegal because of the risk of harm.
* The matter is open to the public to comment on until next month.
