KEY POINTS:
Forensic tests have shown some party pills contain illicit drugs, police said today.
They also pointed to similarities in appearance, logos and names between party pills, which legally contain benzylpiperazine (BZP), and illegal ecstasy or MDMA.
Detective Superintendent Win van der Velde, Police National Crime Manager, said: "There is now scientific evidence that the line between illicit drugs and what are deemed as 'legal party pills' is becoming increasingly blurred.
"There have been recent cases where people have been known to take 'party pills' without having any idea of the origins of the pill or ingredients, and, as a consequence, have suffered severe illness."
A man died last week and two others received hospital treatment after allegedly taking "unknown pills" during a night out in Levin.
In another case, a Greymouth man is currently in Christchurch hospital on life support.
Keith Bedford, ESR forensic programme manager, added: "Tests conducted by ESR scientists have quite clearly shown that two of the more common 'ecstasy-type' pills being distributed in the party drug scene contain methamphetamine and MDMA plus other potentially harmful, illicit active ingredients.
"The tests have also revealed pills that contained BZP plus a variety of other ingredients including MDMA and other harmful illicit active ingredients".
Police warned there were heavy penalties for people caught and found guilty of distributing pills containing illegal substances.
Mr van der Velde also issued a warning about the potential health risks of taking pills when they cannot be sure of the substances they contain.
- NZHERALD STAFF
