Party drug Fantasy leaves boy, 4, critical

A 4-year-old boy was fighting for his life last night after apparently swallowing the party drug Fantasy.

The Starship hospital in Auckland said the boy's condition was critical.

There were unconfirmed reports that he had found the banned drug in his mother's purse and was taken to hospital by the mother's flatmate.

Intensive care specialist Tony Smith said it was the first case he had heard of of a preschooler being admitted for taking a party drug.

The effects on a child were the same as on an adult, but if the child had taken an adult dose the effects would be far more severe. Asked if a child could die, he said "absolutely".

Dr Smith said staff saw "a steady trickle of patients" needing treatment after taking Fantasy.