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A selection of your views follows:
Andy
I have noticed that very few, if any people here are taking ecstasy. Things are very different in the UK, where pills are 2-3 pounds each, with very widespread use. If party pills are banned, people would switch to ecstasy. I am absolutely sure of this. The type of people that go to raves / dance clubs will still exist, and they will be looking for alternatives. At least party pills are controlled, regulated and out in the open. Banning them would be a mistake.
John
I go out clubbing / to raves regularly. I have seen people use them as an alternative to other (illegal) drugs such as ecstasy and speed. I believe that if they were banned then the use of these illegal drugs would surge as people would not have any alternative. BZP usage probably would not stop though as you can buy 99.9% pure BZP off the street at lower costs then party pills anyway. For example; $20 for a gram of BZP whereas in a pack of party pills you will get maybe 600mg of BZP (all up) and the rest TFMPP and other additives for usually around $40 - $50. I do believe, however, that the banning of party pills will just increase the usage of illegal party drugs. I personally have chosen them over e and speed. From my experience the only negative effects from using party pills are lack of an appetite the next day to (very) short term insomnia (if you exceed the stated recommended dose) ie you cannot sleep until maybe 8am till maybe midday. The comedown of illegal drugs such as e and speed are no were near as physically draining although you find with e usage you get depression for the next few days (known by many as "ecky monday").
Atomantnz
At the end of the day a drug is a drug! What type of message are we trying to send to young people? Early in life we try to teach them that drugs are a bad thing and you should only have those prescribed by a doctor. Why then should it change when they get older, talk about send a conflicting message. If a substance has the ability to alter your blood chemistry then we need to have this tightly controlled, and yes this goes for alcohol too (we all know how much damage this does).
Andrew
I think this recommendation by the EACD is a huge mistake for New Zealand. The reality is that removing these products is not going to reduce demand for these kind of substances. It will simply propel demand from these products to illicit substances. New Zealand already has a major problem with P, all this decision will do is push consumers onto P and give more power to NZ's gangs. Crazy crazy move.
Derryn
Yes a few people might have seizures and die. But many more have died from alcohol related incidents and the government certainly wouldn't look into banning that! I think party pills are a good alternative to real drugs and even too getting drunk. And how would anyone enjoy dance/house music without them?!
James
Silly, silly, silly. When will governments learn not to waste time and resources combating party drugs? Users will find them either legally or otherwise and take them to enhance their collective experiences. Tax them and get use of the tax revenue. It's pretty simple, unless you're talking about a drug e.g. P that is clearly detrimental to the public good.
Ross Weal
How can anyone possibly justify banning these (party pills) when you can buy cigarettes which are PROVEN to give you cancer and a whole load of other health problems!?
Matt O'S
And how much did this study by the 'expert committee' cost the taxpayer for information any emergency room doctor could have told the Government? I don't think party pills should be banned, just not sold at (pretty much) every dairy and bottle store in town. Also raise the age of purchase to 20. Aren't there harder drugs that need this attention.
Michael
Those not up on the actual facts may be inclined to believe there have been deaths recorded by party pills. Given the attention this subject will gain in the coming months I personally have used BZP products and tend to liken them to alcohol in the potential damage factor although alcohol has a far greater REAL damage factor, and would suggest the reason party pills may be over used is because they lack the negative gain factor of the hangover that alcohol gives in spite of a very similar side effect of dehydration. All said you cant tell an idiot how to be safe. It seems laws keep being made to protect the idiots from the enjoyment of normally sane and reasoned people.
