KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Mat
After reading some of Your Views, some posters stated banning party pill would make people to seek for other illegal drugs like 'P', to some extend, this is true. At the same time, it also illustrated the biggest evil of party pill that it has successfully created a culture: if you go to a party, you should take drug; if there is no drug, it is not a party.
Kevin
One great lesson that we can learn from history - Prohibition works. ... oh wait
Mark
I don't take any drugs at all. No drug should be illegal. People should be able to put whatever they want into their own bodies. Just don't expect me (or the taxpayer)to help sort any problems that might arise. Banning doesn't work for anything. Banning party pills, or any other drug means that the users have to deal with gangs to get their product. Alcohol is a dangerous drug that can kill and banning that never worked. Education is the key.
Sam B
aIm sitting here hungover recollecting my memories from last night, Well first we were getting the night started alls great then, memory blank, laughing at friend spewing in car, memory blank, smashed light, and almost set fire to my house, as you can tell I am a hard drinker and the fact is, a night on the "pills" is way more safer in the short term (probably the long term as well) as your night consists of laughing talking hundred miles an hour and excessive chain smoking. So parents as you buy your daughter or son those rtd bourbon and cokes, thinking you're responsible for not getting him pills think again as he will probably come home covered in spew and in a police car. "Fight the power."
Live Life
What i dont get is why do seemingly "normal" people feel the need to have to take a pill to enjoy a good time? Life can be lived on a natural high without running the risk of damaging what few brain cells these losers have left. All for the ban of any mind altering substances, legal or otherwise.
Martin
As an ambulance officer I applaud the removal of party pills from the street. Not only are they potentially harmful in their own right, but I believe they set the stage for our youth being open to try extremely dangerous drugs like "P". The comments by some about people going to other drugs like methamphetamine once party pills are off the market prove how dangerous the pill culture has become if the posters cannot tell the difference between the dangers of one v. another. Its about bloody time for this legislation, I say.
Stephen Tan
Of course it should be banned. I've been to 26 countries. The NZ crime scene with youth criminals is out of hand, a result of loose discipline and morality, of softness on crime and punishment
Fun police
I am a regular party pill user, I use them for work (night shift) and for entertainment. For me the pills have helped me to reduce the amount of alcohol that i would normally consume if I went out. For me this is a bonus, no hangover, able to drive safely home and no agro, just good times, good conversation and a feeling of well being. I do understand that any drug is not good for you, but in saying that I will always be a person who will take drugs, its just who I am. I am happy to buy party pills,as i know what I am taking, how much I am taking and that for me the drug is safe and enjoyable. Man. if we stopped taking and doing the things that where bad for us we would all have a very boring life. Next the NZ Government will be banning video games - hey you know it is addictive - for gods sake lets get real. Thumbs down to the fun police.
Defies Logic
Legal or Illegal, a large number of people are going to be curious about drugs and want to try them in their lifetimes. I think this is natural. Would you rather these people go to a gang house, where they will sell to anyone who has money (including children), where they do not tell you what is in the product you are buying and where there is no recommended dosage or instructions on how to use responsibly? Or would you rather them have a safe alternative, that can only be sold to people of a certain age, that lists the full ingredients, and comes with a full list of instructions on how to take, dosage and what not to mix with? Let's be logical here. You might disagree with drugs, but that doesn't mean we all have to. If you don't use party pills this legislation does not actually affect you. If you have children you should be worried, because chances are they will be curious about drugs one day and the Government has just outlawed their only safe avenue for experimenting with them.
Iain Williams
Yet another example of this nanny state approach to life. You have a problem with a small minority of idiots who can't handle something so legislate so we all suffer the loss of choice and freedom. Why not just come out and ban alcohol and tobacco while you're at it. Not to mention fatty foods, salt and sugar, loud music, laughter and personal beliefs not off your own volition. P.C really does stand for Piecemeal Communism.
International Observer
How dumb is this Government for banning a very popular item, but not actually banning it until the end of the year? I presume the kids will be bulk buying over the next few months, to ensure they have a continued supply when the ban takes effect .Also, hearing Greg O'Connor (Police Association spokesperson) on the radio news this morning was a complete joke. His comments (all mind altering drugs are bad and should be banned) are ridiculous when we all know that alcohol is by far the most harmful substance available to young people. More people are damaged/killed by alcohol than BZP, yet where is the Government's rush to ban that?
1983 kid (Western Springs, Auckland)
This is a great move done by the Government. Kudos! The ban on party pills is agreeable. Why need party pills and drugs just to have a good time in a night club or party? That is not worth the risk and it does not make any difference with a person high on illegal substances and alcohol. Taking party pills does not mean one has to be part of "in" crowd just to have a good time. Why put life on the line when the side-effects can be dangerous?
Sheldon Heights
Jimbo, maybe you should concentrate on the real problem : the drinking age is too low.
John (Wellington)
*Applause* it's about time the makers of these evil concoctions got themselves real jobs rather than peddling pills to our kiddies. Seriously, get a life ppl - your little party is over, no one wants you or your dangerous substances anymore. I hope Jim puts you all behind bars where you belong, you're dealing drugs no matter how you word it otherwise - your "drug dealers", and our society has had a guts full ... social tonics? phooey!
Ben
I have had most drugs and the I have never had worse come downs than from those party pills. I support the government banning them for this reason even though I am liberal in terms of many class A drugs - which shows how dangerous I think these pills are.
Holly (London)
Yet again, the nanny state steps in... so when are they going to ban alcohol or cigarettes? Surely much more addictive, dangerous and health-threatening than party pills? But I guess that would mean having to give up the tax perks. Just another indication that life is slowly becoming risk-free, yet fun-free.
Allan
It's not really an option to do nothing. Once you're told by clinical experts that what's being sold at the corner dairy can kill people, and you know...how do you un- know that," says Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton, Jim, liquor and lcohol are sold at every supermarket and now many corner dairies. Duh Jim, do you know that they both kill and are proven to be lethal . Now how can you un -know that ?Jim you are so out of touch it is not funny !
Pacific Empire
A foolish, meaningless and counterproductive decision from the interfering Anderton, which will undoubtedly ruin far more lives than it will save. There are thousands of New Zealanders who regularly use party pills not because it is a better high, but because it is a safe, legal alternative to amphetamines, ecstasy etc. The result of banning BZP will simply be to increase the use of illegal drugs, and it will effectively act as a government subsidy to organized crime. Yeah, good one, Jim!
Gisborne
What a waste of time. Surely the consumer should have a choice whether to take pills or not? Surely a person 18 year old is mature enough to make a decision on what is good or not good for them? I mean we dont want to hear about unprotected sex but we still do it even at the risk or accumulating STDs. But lets be consistent then and label nicotine as a Class C drug as well. But as the government is making money from the smokers I am sure they oppose anti smoking lobbies.
Samuel
However, the fact remains that party pills are proven to be far safer than alcohol or illicit drugs. Banning BZP will see a corresponding increase in the use of those substances and the significant harms that are associated with them.New Zealanders have yet again fallen victim to political scaremongering and media hype. The facts don't lie, and they are in favour of keeping BZP legal. I have no interest in the substance, but still feel it is sad that NZ has reached such an outcome.
Bede
At least we know bzp users are Worm Free!
MissD
Why didn't these idiots in parliament regulate the sale of party pills so that they weren't so readily available in every cornershop, to begin with? No, they waited until so many youth had made it a part of their lifestyles, and then banned them. So that now, people who take party pills regularly will be: 1) looking for something else 2) happy to party pills illegally 3) Now more likely to purchase E, P, whatever - because really, what's the difference? They are criminals if they purchase party pills anyway.And police have more on their plates! According to the Sunday Star Times there is not even a treatment centre for P addicts wanting help in Wellington. Well they better get cracking and set one up because they've just created a monster. Who is going to pick up the pieces?
James
Why Class C? That will only end up with more people getting convictions that will prevent them entering the USA or Japan. Why not just make them a prescription only medicine - that will restrict the supply (what doctor would supply them?) but will still make them illegal to others.
Albert
Why just banned it? How about the consequences? What's the use of banning if punishment is light. How about this - addicts be sent to detention barracks for rehab for 6mths and trafficker gets minimum 15yrs without parole, for a start.
Mike, Welliington
If the Government can ban meat pies in schools on the grounds that they are not particularly healthy then banning party pills can hardly come as a surprise.
U R
The war on drugs is a war on personal freedom. It uses up police resources, puts peaceful people who have committed victimless crimes in jail, and gives organised crime a stable income. Laws should be passed to empower people, not take away our personal privacy and freedom. The more educated people get about drugs the better they will be at making their own decisions. Education and learning about all aspects of life is the only way forward.
Squirrel
What rot! Party pills were designed to steer people away from harder drugs and that's exactly what they were doing. Some of the young folk with little brain cells to lose anyway are the ones who have ruined party pills for anyone else. It only takes a few muppets to ignore the warning labels. Smoking and alcohol are still far worse than party pills - yet cigarettes and booze stay. Why? Because the government profits!
Oppressed
Yes, ban party pills but leave intact cigarettes and that most dangerous drug alcohol pretty much freely available. (even to kids). Gateway to other drugs? Possibly but who is to say that alcohol isn't either. It is and we who have partied have seen those who have indulged. But it is their life and if the social cost isn't the death or injury of a third party but financial, then it should be the persons choice.Yet another law passed taking rights away from the people to make their own choices. Every year there seems to be more laws passed taking away freedoms and more taxes/ rates/ charges introduced. We are now just another creature on this earth being milked everyday in every way so a few get the cream.
Nigel
Jim Anderton has no bloody clue. How many people die each year from alcohol?
bob
so more far people are harmed OD'ing on prescription drugs. let's close pharmacies and Jail the doctors!
Fred
Why do you bone-heads need any pills or drugs? Get a life.
waiheke paul
Youth today know that party pills are not a major health problem. They have had several years to determine this for themselves. They know its right up there with caffeine as a mood altering drug. There are going to be only bad repercussions from pushing party pills into the criminal market. Except there will be one good repercussion. Youth will be so disgusted by the blatant hypocrisy of this action that noone over the age of 50 is going to make it into the next parliament. There will be a youth revolution at the next election. The youth of this country do not enjoy seeing our politicians turn this country into a paradise for gangs.
Simon
Banning party pills will reduce the use of them to almost nothing, largely because the real appeal of them is that they are legal. Now that they aren't there is little reason not to buy the real thing - amphetamines. I'm fairly sure that the actual reason they were banned was because Anderton just doesn't like them. Pointing to medical opinion is not persuasive. Doctors would recommend banning spirits if you asked them about it - they recommend banning anything that they ever have to deal with in the A&E, but they will have a busier time dealing with P psychosis now that the party pills are to be banned.
Andrew Atkin
Could the government please explain why they do not also ban alcohol - before they ban party pills.
justin
But yeah of course cigarettes and alcohol are so so so..... much worse for death disease violence incest...But the government would never ban them for many reasons. One of which just leapt out at me - our tourism industry would be destroyed if alcohol or cigarettes were illegal in this country. Smokers and drinkers would not come. Bzp ? No one knows about it anyway.
Mercedes
It's survival of the fittest. If people are that stupid after all the deaths and hospitalisations, then let them have their cake and get diabetes. We're better off without them. There is a big problem with drug experimentation in this country. If people can't get a bang with party pills they'll probably turn to meth or some other illegal drug. I wish the government would crack down on the gangs that actually import meth making stuff from China instead of suggesting ludicrously that we have a dialogue with them. That would be helpful.
Jim
Most of the people who have sent in Your Views to me seem to think the government has made a silly decision. I disagree. I have dealt with people who have used both party and more harsh drugs and I know that they can be rather dangerous to people taking them or using them. Maybe they should have to go to a medical centre and watch for themselves what goes on. People combine drugs and alcohol now so this is one of the reasons for the ban.
Geoff
It's time the Government gave the methamphetamine industry a boost. Tonight the gangs will be celebrating ,they will be buy up all the excess BZP to cut it with their xtc pills made out of rat poison and crushed glass,the New Zealand government must be mad .In the US they are losing a futile fight the war on drug here in NZ we can control some of the drugs and by this the government is wining so what next alcohol as this more harmful.
KLMatsalleh
Fantastic, a great decision - about time. Reading a number of the Your Views, it is evident that most people are blinded by the advertisements of the companies who make party pills. The cold reality is they are extremely dangerous - having experienced our daughter admitted to ICU with serious side effects attributed to BZP (she only took 2 pills - bottle stated 3 is OK!) - her symptoms were frightening and life threatening. What I do not understand is why is there the need to take anything to get a high. I prefer being in the company of friends, out having a good time - a great natural high.I agree with a number of the comments about this new legislation pushing party pills underground so it is now the responsibility of our police to begin monitoring developments in a bid to head off the inevitable.
Jillian
Of course I support the ban. The creator of the party pill should be questioned on his mental health. How and why would you create something that could destroy one's health and if worse- life? Drugs only does the bad and never the good. We don't need drugs to get "high" or what not. Drugs is never good, party pills have an enormous side effect, it is a fact. Stopping it for good is very applausable. Stick to chocolates, kids, spend your money on clothes, games or food. Not drugs!
Disillusioned
i can't believe the shortsighted decision that has been made with respect to the banning of party pills. Instead of adopting policies that would minimise harm,(i.e. increasing prices/reducing dosage amounts/comprehensive and unbiased education), they have been banned outright. If one was to apply the same reasoning to the sale and usage of alcohol. Go figure.
Mathew
I don't like party pills, but I don't support this ban!As a parent I don't like the thought of my kids taking drugs! however thats my problem and as a parent my job to ward against, I don't want anybody else to suffer because I'm a bad father or can not control my offspring. I think I'd rather them taking a drug that I know is what it says it is, rather than buying E where you don't know whats been cut in to it.
3ck0 (Hawkes Bay)
I have tried a lot for the sake of it, and party pills isn't something I am personally not a fan of
but I dont feel they should be banned, Its not really the pills themselves but the people taking them. Working in the hospitality industry, I see many taking pills with alcohol, I have even seen bars that sell party pills. The industry need tougher regulations, and consumers need education
The drugs don't work
Let's get one thing straight - nobody is going to be 'forced' to turn to P if party pills are taken off the shelf. If some people choose to turn to illegal drugs to get their jollies, that's entirely their own choice and responsibility, and nothing to do with the government's decision to ban a substance that is shown to have risks of serious harm. Most people actually have a measure of respect for the law, and won't. The problem with party pills is that there isn't really a 'safe' dose. You can say with a reasonable measure of confidence that a glass or two of wine isn't going to do much damage to someone (in fact, some studies say it's good for you!). But I've seen people virtually incoherent and panicking after half a party pill. If a few people turn to more dangerous, and illegal drugs because they can't live without a high, and then do themselves damage, well, that's just natural selection in action.
Gareth
Since they must be proven to be safe in order to be legalised, let's hope those support party pill regulation also approve of the regulation of the farcical alternative medicine industry.
Cindy (Wellington)
Yet again we have the classic knee-jerk idiotic authoritarian response to a relatively small problem. Banning party drugs? Jim Anderton has not thought this one through. He hasn't solved the problem with this lame and lazy response he has simply and irresponsibly pushed it somewhere else. It will of course come back and in another and perhaps far more dangerous form. What moral high ground does Anderton think he occupies banning party drugs while permitting a much more dangerous party drug (alcohol) to remain? This is a foolish, heavy handed and unjustified response to a statistically minor problem. It is also is an outrageous intrusion by government yet again into the private lives of adult citizens who ought to have the right to make their own informed decisions in such personal matters always. Outrageous.
Dennis (Paraparaumu)
This is complete stupidity. They justify banning party pills on the basis that the harder drugs alcohol and nicotine are readily available. Unfortunately, this action is on a par with other government policy on drugs, which apparently aims to turn as many people as possible into criminals and continue building an ever-increasing number of prisons to hold them.
Mike
I agree in the ban of the party pills it is obvious that they are unsafe. You do not need drugs of any type to keep people happy happiness comes from within each individual.
Jayson (Akld)
Totally justifiable in banning BZP, after all people overdose on it. Or get seriously sick and need hospitalisation. So in the same theory, they should also ban other substances that causes adverse reactions like antibotics, peanuts, panadol, asprin. Every substance whether natural or synethetic does have adverse side effects. The important point is correctly taking it in the right dosage and with the right knowledge. The sooner we get rid of the drones who do not have the IQ to place things in the context they should be seen in, the better. Viva La Revolution..
John
Here they go again top dogs trying to tell the rest of the country what to do, Smoking is bad and stuffs up your health why not just ban the damn thing they so kill way more people then party pills another form of restriction on what our youth can and can not do.
Richy
Before BZP I took E when I went out. Now I guess its back to supporting the gangs. Good one Jim ya dickhead
Jay
Basically, the wrong choice was made. Regulation was the right way. All that has happened is hardcore drugs are now level with substitutes such as BZP. Both will be illegal, both will be readily available, but only one will be a life ruining addictive drug, the other a safer alternative shunned by New Zealand government. Nice one Jim.
Starvin
They say one of the reasons is the long term effects are unknown. The long-term effects of alcohol are definitely known to be harmful and yet the govt has encouraged its further/increased use by lowering the drinking age! To me that just doesn't make sense.
Peter
I wonder how many cases of alcohol related injury/illness a typical A&E centre sees compared to party pill related? How many cases of domestic violence are reported due to party pills. How many car accidents are caused by part pills? Banning these things won't make any difference, some other, potentially more harmful, thing will take its place or it will just drive the industry underground where it can't be controlled. I think many people are probably taking party pills as the safer/healthier alternative to alcohol.
Martin
I am offended the government decided party pills are unsafe for me and my friends as I cant but help think how many people have died from them,none,well how many people have died from alcohol and cigarettes? Only the two most dangerous drugs on earth. Anderton, you should stay out of things that aren't your concern.
Anna (Pt Chev)
My argument (based on personal anecdotes - because I lack rigid scientific investigation presented in an unbiased manner, as does the government):
1)I do not know anybody that has progressed from party pills to harder drugs. 2) I know of several people (myself included) that have taken, and enjoyed, ecstasy, but not been absolutely comfortable with breaking the law, so have chosen to entirely forgo illegal drugs in favour of party pills. If I was a few years younger, I would now be running straight back into the loved-up arms of ecstasy.3) I know of no case in which a person hospitalised with 'BZP-related problems' has followed the instructions on the label (do not take with other drugs, alcohol, or a medical condition and do not take more than the suggested dosage). I challenge anyone to present such a case to me. 4) I am much more concerned with our un-regulated natural remedy industry - there is a wealth of evidence to support regulating supplements (including vitamins, minerals, soy products, herbal remedies -all of which can be dangerous). 5) Damn you fun-police, you have stolen my dancing feet!
Elizabeth
Tobacco has killed more people than party pills, why on earth won't sales of that be banned? Oh yeah... the government makes millions of dollars out of taxes on it and probably have shares in the tobacco companies.Absolutely ridiculous and waste of the taxpayers money to push this bill forward and continue to ignore the tobacco issue.
Teejay (Auckland)
I think the ban on products containing BZP is ok but I think it's about time the government stopped trying to inhibit people's fun or choices. Party pills are so popular because they are cheaper and safer than P, Ecstasy and illegal drugs, all this legislation is going to do is get more people buying the class A stuff and cause a lot more problems in society.When is this government going to wake up?
SarahJJJ (Auckland)
I am an ex user from overseas and was horrified when I first moved here to know that party pills are sold legally.A family member and her partner both use party pills regularly. They carry on like they think they are cool. flaunt it in front of their parents and my children.I think its abhorrent they were ever legalised in the first place
Grant
Isupport the ban 100 per cent.
Pete (Akl)
You may not like drugs, and you may not understand why people take them. But in reality there is a large chance that your children will. So do we a) act like ostriches and believe that banning them will fix the problem, or do we b) offer the safest possible alternative?
Chieftain
I do not support drug use, and I think that the industry that produces party pills is vile. That said, the proposed ban is likely to drive party oill users into using truly dangerous drugs, like P-Methamphetamine or crack or cocaine. The industry should have been regulated and tightly controlled instead: along with marijuana. Making these "herbal high" drugs "illegal" is a shortsighted move by a tired government that has run out of good ideas.
P. Dealer
Great choice Mr Anderton. Looks like I'm going to make lots of money now!!! I have my stocks ready and will have lots more ready by Xmas. I might also make my own herbal highs with god only knows what I may put in it. Good luck to the youth of NZ.
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