Party pills to come with 'star' ratings

By ELIZABETH BINNING

People seeking a natural high before a big night out could soon buy party pills that come with a gold-star rating.

The rating does not indicate the kind of high people get from the popular pepper-derived pills such as Frenzy, Charge and Exodus.

It is about assuring consumers that the pills have passed random and regular quality tests and that they are being sold by health and safety-conscious retailers.

The Qualmark star system, similar to that used for accommodation standards, is one suggestion in a proposed code of standards for retailers and suppliers of the pills, which are pitched as a safe and legal alternative to drugs.

It is estimated that 5 million such pills have been sold in New Zealand since 2000.

Most are taken by young people looking for a natural high before a big event or something to get them through all-night dance parties.

In March, concern over the pills, which are banned in the United States, was highlighted when five Dunedin students needed hospital care after taking Charge and Rapture. An investigation by the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs has since deemed the pills legal here and the energy supplement industry is doing everything it can to prove itself responsible.

A proposal of best-practice standards has been prepared by the Social Tonic Association (Stanz), a collective of about 10 representatives of suppliers and retailers, and published on the internet.

Stanz chairman Matt Bowden, a former drug user who turned to natural party pills after his cousin died from an Ecstasy-related death, said the association wanted feedback from the community on the proposal.

Regular party pill users the Herald spoke to supported the proposed standards, especially the Qualmark stars idea.

"If I had a choice I would definitely buy ones with the stars," said one Hamilton woman who now uses the pills instead of illegal drugs.