KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Blair
Finally common sense has prevailed!.I take my hat of to Jim Anderton for the said ban.You are a "real" man,and your proactive decision will have a positive outcome for the mental health of thousands of young Kiwi's.We don't need this nefarious substance "Sheep Drench",roaming around the brains of our fellow new Zealanders.Give it to the sheep instead,and see how long they stay healthy!?
Not Impressed (Auckland)
What a joke. The people leading this country have no idea what they are talking about for one. Do they have the street experience of this day and age behind them? The true experience of being a young person in this day and age? Illegal, addictive drugs are everywhere you go, and party pills have given people the chance to experience a "high" without the dangers P and Speed pose. There have been no conclusive reports of serious health risks related to these things, but still they have to go and ruin it for the responsible ones that like to take these recreationally for a good time. Its morons that cant read, take too many, or combine them with things they shouldnt and then end up in hospital, that give them a bad name. As I always say, dont knock it til you try it. Time to get a grip NZ
Andy
Yup, I fully support the banning of these pills, as a youthworker I have seen the havoc they create.Now how about making it harder for under 18's to get their hands on booze?
John
"Absolutely! Party pills should be banned. Anything such as these drugs that cause people to have their mind altered and behaviour modified artifically should be banned from the open market."They had better ban alcohol too, because we all know that alters one's mind and changes their behaviour. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just fooling themselves.
Wellington
"Party pills" are keeping young people away from more serious drugs and drugs with higher health risks ie; Ecstasy and Speed. There are no recorded instances of somebody dying from these BZP products. More harm and disruption is caused by alcohol consumption, yet we have a legal drinking age of 18 years. Unbelievable!
Jo Jo
t constantly amazes me that the government heaps scorn and suspicion on party pills, but continues to allow alcohol sponsorship and advertising. There is ample evidence that alcohol causes far more damage in society than party pills. So why is it? Is it purely the tax revenue the alcohol (not to mention tobacco) generates? Or maybe the aging MPs cannot relate to the generation who predominantly take party pills? From my limited experience, party pills sure pack a punch, but certainly nothing compared to what a huge night of drinking does.
Alan WIlkinson
Like rust, bureaucratic creep from Wellington never sleeps - it just keeps layering the country in ever more bad law.And we wonder why our jails are full? Yet another government cure that will be far worse than the disease. Lets have a sweepstake on how many lives this law will destroy over the next five years. My starting guess is ten times the number who would have died from party pills.
Been there done tha
And a few days ago you were talking about lowering the voting age to 16.Come on now. Read these comments and you will see that this was a ridiculous idea. Unlike the banning of these pills which is long overdue.Look, I have taken these and other substances over the years and trust me...these things are dangerous. This government should have banned them long ago. Other counties have made them illegal and there hasn't been some blackmarket backlash. Just fewer people being rushed to hospital from the dance clubs and parties.Now lets start doing something about alcohol now.
Dan
Jim Anderton says, apparently with a straight face, that he's confident that this ban won't increase use of speed and ecstasy. Is he serious? I don't understand where this confidence comes from. This is exactly what happened.However the logic behind party pills never made sense to me. We were told because the hangover is so bad, they are better for you because you are less likely to be addicted... but the drugs that BZP replaces are not physically addictive anyway, and to say that because something makes you feel worse it must be better for you, is the height of stupidity.
JR (Wellington)
If these pills aren't addictive why would anyone object to the banning of them ? As for the idiots who use fags and booze for comparison - society does evolve thankfully. Knowing hundreds of years ago what is known today, they too would probably have been banned before so many became addicted and died. Should rape, murder, thieving, etc also be treated as acceptable behaviour because many others do it. Get a life !
Ivan (Auckland)
"Mr Anderton says tobacco and alcohol do enough damage and it makes no sense to allow harmful goods like party pills available."I love that line, because tobacco and alcohol do enough damage they ban something else, does that even make sence?Ive personally have taken party pills before, and as long as you follow guidelines which are clearly printed on the packet you shouldnt have problems.I also love how all the deaths and comas related with party pills never highlights the point that people also took alcohol and drugs mixture.
Doug Thomson
I do not condone the use of BZP but Jim Anderton is a complete fool if he thinks this will not create a black market.
Andrew Gratton
This is another example of Mr Anderton shoving his own lifestyle down the throats of others. First, he commissions a study by an Auckland university to prove they are dangerous. When that fails, he tries again. Eventually he seems to have given up finding any real facts, and has banned them because he thinks they're bad. It's true that a fair amount of harm is done by alcohol and other drugs, and what does he think current users of party pills will turn to on a Friday night? New Zealand has enough of an alcohol problem without taking away a less harmful alternative. Mr Anderton doesn't seem to understand that people will continue to become intoxicated on something, and that by making sure alcohol is the only cheap and legal intoxicant available, a large number of drunken assaults, drunken vandals and drunk drivers are the logical conclusions of his moralistic and sadly misguided views.
Tim (Christchurch)
"The minister is confident making BZP illegal will not create a black market or lead to increased use of other drugs such as methamphetamine" Of course Jim, just as there is no black market for any kind of good that has been made illegal anywhere in the world at anytime in the past! That's why prohibition of alcohol in the US in the 20s was such a huge success. It wasn't? Oh, that's right, you are a moron- a year from now this will be another ridiculous law which criminalises ordinary New Zealanders and creates more work for police who should be dealing with truly damaging 'crime'. If you are 'Progressive' I hope we never experience regression in this country.
Karl Rohde
When will the governments of the world work out that prohibition of any kinds does not work. All it does is drive it underground, makes the users criminals, and turns the supply over to organized crime. Stupid.
Muffin28
Surely there must be more pressing health issues out there than BZP and Party Pills. Perhaps getting people to give up smoking crack etc should rate as a higher priority? I really hope that Jim Anderton chooses to not stand in the next election or that the idiots that vote for him vote for someone else. So what are people going to do now? Go underground! People that want to use party pills will continue to do so even if the law is changed, but the big difference now is that the government will have absolutely no control, where as at least when party pills were legal the could have taken the opportunity to legislate to a degree and ensure that at least there was appropriate packaging, instructions and education on their use etc.
Big ups to Jim! Another job down badly!
Soon to be a crackhead...
We might be on party pills but I think our govt is on crack! 2 incidents in 8 million pills? Both of these incidents were the result of the user not following the clear instructions & mixing with alcohol and/or illegal drugs. If they had some balls & wanted to ban something that has SERIOUS health risks maybe they should think about banning cigarettes...As a staunch lefty I never thought I'd say it but this govt has lost the plot.How is it that in 2007 we still cling to the idea that prohibition actually works? People are going to try drugs no matter what the law says - now instead of getting them over the counter, more people will go to the illegal drugs that these pills emulate.Does Jim really think that our stressed & under-resourced police-force are going to get rid of BZP? Of course they can't - congrats Jim, you've handed the gangs another illicit drug to sell - we had the chance to regulate the production & usage but instead we're going to see homebake BZP.Have fun in opposition for at least the next 3 years Labour and the Progressives (if Jim is there at all) because you just lost the youth vote...not to worry Jim, at least you'll have the gang vote!
Travis B
OK. I will start using E then.
Burnt
New Zealand needs a referendum on this issue. The voice of the people the government's employers needs to be heard. Democracy needs to be exercised.
Dom
How ridiculous, there are far more risky substances/activities out there that have a far higher impact on society. The only "harm" these have done is when people have not followed direction in the extreme or gone to an emergency clinic because they cant sleep (energy pills then cant sleep, what did they expect?). Another sad choice by a failing government desperate to be seen as doing something constructive but once again a swing and a miss. I guess it's easier than trying to solve real issues like P, gangs or young people killing themselves in overpowered cars on a regular basis (or worse yet a family in an unlucky car coming the other way).
Brigitte
If you really need a drug to have fun, don't you think that's more of a problem than party pills being banned? Suggesting people will turn to 'E' as an alternative is even more ridiculous. Perhaps those complaining about this need to develop a personality so they don't need drugs to be interesting.
Tanglefoot
I guess it had to happen some time. The gangs will make a little more money. The doctors will still prescribe dexamphetimine sulphate to children who will sell it to party gowrs, and the Party Pill makers will simply start to use Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP)instead of BZP. For the creative mind, there will always be a stimulant that the government has yet to ban. Go the chemists, and in the meantime I am sure that many people will be stocking up on BZP for the future.
Chippie (Wellington)
The P dealers will be happy, the Government is going to wipe out their competition.
Wade (Auckland)
1) I can't understand why anyone in their right mind (..oh thats right they're out of their minds on the stuff anyway) would want to take this or any drugs for that matter. So can't say I'm unhappy about this law being passed and that kids will now find it harder to access this stuff now. Yes, yes yes the gangs and crims will make a health living off this drug underground but the core issue for me is that young kids should be living life to the full and getting high on life - not drugs...2) On the other hand, What I do take issue with is the increasing & excessive level of regulation and controls this communist government of ours is putting on its citizens... whatever your views on this issue use your vote to get Jim Anderton, Sue Bradford and the Labour party cronies out of power.
Dolly
I personally don't care whether party pills are banned or not, as it appears that the only damage they do is to the individuals who use them (excluding the sorrow of their families). As many of your correspondents have written, there will no doubt continue to be an illegal market in these substances for all criminals who wish to continue using them. I am amazed at the idiocy of those who say that if they cannot use party pills they will turn to other illegal substances - get a life! Value the remaining brain cells you have! To the writer who asks if anybody has tried to ban alcohol, try looking up "prohibition".
Party Pill Supporter (Tauranga)
Wow - I never actually thought this would go through! All I can say NZ is brace yourself ... you think the level of hard drug use (P, E, LSD etc) is bad now - I don't think we've seen half of it. I know a lot of people who never would've gotten off hard drugs if Party Pills weren't available, and now the Government are driving them back into the arms of gangs and other low-lifes. I'm sure the gangs around NZ will be having a great laugh at the Government (again) tonight and raising their glasses, shotguns, P-pipes etc to Jim! Like others have commented, far more people die as a result of cigarettes and alcohol each year - but of course the Government won't ban those because there's too much money to be made in Tax!! Good on you Labour - NZ will be a communist country before we know it. Australia and the National Party just look better and better each day
Ian Smith
Surely party pills are a relatively harmless way for young people to learn that drugs are a zero sum game.
DtheBeat (Gisborne)
I just heard Jim Anderton say on the radio that there is too many harmful substances out there already. The whole war on drugs smacks of hypocrisy too me, alcohol, cigarettes, need I say more.
Party boy (Pakuranga)
Making these pills illegal will not send the kids into the hands of the gangs. Making them available in stores suggested that the chemicals were OK and safe. Now we know they are not. Mother Nature, Marama, God, Darwin, whatever beliefs you have, trust nature not chemists. If you want the endorphin rush of consuming lots of BZP, order 10 vindaloos and overdose on that. Sound stupid? Not as stupid as concentrating it into a handful of pills and taking a pepper overdose that way. A good decision by an otherwise over-interfering government.
Dean
I have to agree with all the other posters so far.Many of us will not benefit from this law....some will namely the gangs who now control almost every form of stimulant you can think of...add BZP to the list. I think everyone knows that alcohol is causing more issues i.e. deaths, violence and all the rest. The government has basically okayed the use of drink with the its 'how we're drinking campaign' so they are saying its ok to drink just try not to get too silly.Shouldn't we approach this the same way. Oh oops party pills have no tax and do not support an entire industry oh and mainly young people take them whereas all ages drink. Labour again demonstrates the dumbing down of NZ by saying what we can and can't do with our own lives....no wonder personal responsibility is now a naughty word.
Kirsten (Akld)
I think its a personal choice. Be aware of the risks and make informed choice. I personally won't go there again after one batch made me fairly sick and I took less than min dosage. But I believe that the nanny stake we are currently living in should stop dictacting and start being a bit more pro-active in informaton and assistance. All I can really say is thanks Labour for taking away my choices- again.
Ian
Great news. I totally agree with the ban. There's too many druggies as it is and a generation x,y and z now think it is part of accepted culture to be spaced out on something. What a sad state of affairs for the future of NZ. One's personal responsibility is to just Say no to drugs (tobacco and alcohol included). Weakness prevents most from doing so. You go Jim!
Karin
No, don't think they need to be banned - if used properly they are safe to take for a night out when people don't want to use drugs or alcohol I have a 16 year old son who has taken party pills when going to a 'rave' simply because he wants to dance all night & I'd rather he did this than drink heavily or take hard drugs. I don't think taking them on a daily basis would be healthy.
But It's the people who abuse them who end up hospitalised or dead & often when you hear what they've taken along with the party pills it's no wonder!
Kylie
No, I do not support the party pill ban.A friend of mine has recently moved to Australia where they are banned and as a result is now buying methamphetamine drugs such as ecstasy.A ban of party pills will only increase illicit drug use.
Ian (Dunedin)
Great stuff, this ban is long overdue. There was a stabbing in a "party pill" shop in Dunedin on Tuesday. Some drugged out person attacking another person in the same shop.
Mike Brown
Actually I blame the Herald for directly contributing to this ban, to read the numerous articles abouthow bad BZP is for you and the one or two people who have ended up in trouble (after taking ridiculous amounts) being blown out of all proportion, creating the impression that these pills are highly dangerous along comes witless Anderton who 'fell' for this campaign and felt the need to follow what he perceived to be a "voter issue". So I must congratulate the Herald staff, your manipulation of both reader and politician is actually quite masterful, unfortunately you have now just contributed to the ever expanding P epidemic, so I wonder the next time something horrific is committed by someone high off P who might otherwise have been using party pills you'll spare a thought for the innocent victim that you have helped put in hospital or the morgue, on second thought no you'll probably just take delight in having something to fill your front pages.
Kylie
Sensible move. I've seen the effects of these so called 'natural highs' and there is nothing natural about them. Shame it can't get pushed through with urgency...it appears to be more grossly abused than a parent giving a child a smack!
Shaun
Oh look its another law telling us what to do and what not to do. We are becoming sheep people and you seem happy about it?
Elizabeth Pham
Absolutely! Party pills should be banned. Anything such as these drugs that cause people to have their mind altered and behaviour modified artifially should be banned from the open market. I realise that if these people want them they will find ways of getting them. However, banning these drugs will also save of lot of others from ever getting a hold of them. It will halt some of the temptation and slow down others from adding them to unsuspecting peoples drinks.Ban them!
Tom (Auckland)
I support the ban. Herbal Highs are not herbal, they are complete synthetic and have more nasty effects than most illegal drugs. However banning BZP will only add it to the list of illegal drugs that are readily available in New Zealand and give drug dealers yet another source of revenue.
Greg (Auckland)
Even if party pills were harmful to ones health, of which there is no conclusive evidence, why does Jim Anderton feel it is his responsibility to decide what I can do with my own body? And does this imply that if something is legal then it is OK to do? Hey Jim, you better ban scissors lest someone choose to run with them. Get out of my life.
A
I look forward to increased use of other stimulants and methamphetamines. And stimulation of the black market. Good one Anderton! You should be ashamed.
Chip (Auckland)
This is absolutley ridiculous. I can't believe they are banning them! You get the idiots who misuse them but there are more people out there who don't. Try harder at focusing on the real drug problem. It's easy to get these pills and if the are banned and go underground kids are gonna find it easier too. This is the dumbest thing I have read all day.
Boomshanka
As long as we are human we will want to explore ourselves, be it physically, spiritually or mentally. I don't trust anyone who hasn't tried drugs before. 8 million pills consumed amounting to 3 inconclusive deaths. wow! Now the means are pushed underground the risk to ourselves increases immensely. Yeah, thanks a lot.
John (Wellington)
Awesome! They're an unhealthy blot on the face of this country. They cause pimples in teens like they don't already have enough to worry about. I hope the ban includes everything else the makers have got cooking in their garage, the only time-tested "social tonic" out there mate, is alcohol love it or hate it. Good one Jim! I'm glad at least one legislation during Labour's term in office will actually do more good than harm!
Adrian
Only losers use them, so who cares if they are banned.
Shaun
I cant believe party pills have been banned. The only reason for the ban is that the government is not a stakeholder like they are with alcohol and tobacco (no tax comes from party pills). People under the influence of alcohol beat their wives, kids, friends and others. They drive under the influence and hurt innocent bystanders. They then proceed to soak up taxpayer money by receiving hospital treatment for injuries from drinking and related health effects, as tobacco does also. This Government needs to be open minded and see what really needs restrictions instead of banning party pills which have done bugger all harm.
myndlyz
Labour is definitely not going to win the next election. On the one hand, students are bribed with interest free student loans, and on the other, we are constantly being restricted with what we can and cannot do. Think about this, "p" and other drugs are being used at an all time high, the stats are not going to go down after this new law. Oh well, what do politicians know?
Voice of Reason
This is ridiculous. In terms of the occasional bad case, alcohol is far more destructive to our society than these pills, yet we tolerate it because there is so much business attached to the alcohol industry.What is wrong with people wishing to use a recreational stimulant - not unlike alcohol - for pleasure or any other reason.Because of its connotations to illegal drugs like speed and coke etc, Anderton declares this is also a drug that should be banned.We have far bigger issues in society than focussing on this, I dont think I've heard of people driving all over the road and killing innocent people because they were excited on party pills, or going home and beating up their wives or husbands because of party pills, or urinating in public because of party pills, no, this hypocrisy is sentiment to why some people become politicians.
Pata
I support the banning of any pill that hasn't been prescribed by a doctors or doesn't have the same harmful effects as the current party pills.If one needs to have a pill to enjoy a party , then one is two peaches short of a fruit salad.
Waiheke Island
So the witless Anderton finally gets his wish and another substance is pushed underground. The gangs must be toasting his name tonight. How much do they stand to make from these pill now that they are illegal.Young people take heed. If they do give you the vote, then understand its power and use it to resist the likes of Anderton.I'd write more but I have to get round to the liquor store to stock up.
Lars
Im sure the only people who are happy are the gangs and criminal elements that manufacture ,import, sell ,distribute P and other hard drugs. We will see more lives ruined by P and the criminal gangs will get richer and richer.Why don't they go after more dangerous legal drugs like alcohol more people die as a result of Alcohol related incidents on any given day than have died from Party Pill usage. The same can be said about cigarettes which kill thousands every year why not ban them?The common theme is that on alcohol and Cigarettes the govt gets hefty duties and taxes.An example of the govt putting money over the welfare of citizens.Well done Jim, Well Done Labour.
Krystal
I believe that young people of today need an alternative to the evils of easily accessible drugs like P, Speed, Ecstasy and other stimulants. Even though there are dangers associated with party pills they do not hold the same dangers as that of the above drugs. If party pills are not available the next option will be ecstasy and P. No one has tried to ban alcohol as yet? That in my opinion causes just as many problems if not used in moderation.
Tineke vanderwalle
I think its stupid to ban them. Surely theres a way that the sales can be restricted? They are perfectly safe if you respect the recommended dosage. Of course your body is going to flip out if you take over 20! I suggest restrictions on where they are sold, banning "multi packs" and some kind of system that records the purchase (like when you have to present ID to buy Nurofen nowadays at the chemist).
Abby (Auckland)
I completely disagree with party pills being banned, and to be honest I cant work out why there isn't more of an issue being made of this. All that will happen by banning the pills is that users will be pushed back to using other options, like hard drugs, or using pills manufactured illegally for the black market, which are potentially much more dangerous than what the party pills are in their current form. Here we are with a legal substance, that we can control to be safe & that we can educate people on(mostly young people, potentially my kids or nieces & nephews)- Isn't this a better option than banning it and having them getting boozed and high on a raft of other drugs that have much more serious consequences? Unfortunately like everything there will be those that use them unwisely. The only injuries with party pills have been when they have been used against advise from the labels, but this is true of millions of other products Joe average can buy every day. Perhaps simply education about these pills and a bit of personal responsibility) is key.
Stupid Idea
Personally, I take party pills because they are a legal alternative to other drugs such as ecstasy. I do not like alcohol and I know countless other people who have the same opinion as me. This legislation is not going to stop people from taking party drugs, they are just going to turn to the next alternative, which will be ecstasy, or P, or speed or the newly illegal BZP. Mark my words, the day BZP based pills become illegal is the day the gangs profits multiply.
charlotte
I think banning party pills is a silly idea maybe putting a limit on the amount of BZP put in party pills is what needs to be looked at, and the amount of pills you buy in a pack. Why take this away when the users of it are just going to turn to alternatives - which are probably going to be harder drugs and worse for you. Stupid govt once again!
Tineke vanderwalle
I think its stupid to ban them. Surely theres a way that the sales can be restricted? They are perfectly safe if you respect the recommended dosage. Of course your body is going to flip out if you take over 20! I suggest restrictions on where they are sold, banning "multi packs" and some kind of system that records the purchase (like when you have to present ID to buy Nurofen nowadays at the chemist).
Johnny
Oh well, it may be a good decision, but it will only give the drug peddlers even more profit because if people want to get spaced out they will find something else to take even if it means going back to the P peddler, The ecstasy Supplier will be rubbing his hands together at the thought of more money to be made as no doubt people stopped buying the illegal stuff for the stuff they could get at any corner dairy. But no more so it is back to the pusher!
Soa
People are now going to turn to "e" which isn't monitored for its quality and whats in it. People that say party goers will not tu