Media Release
7 September 2007

No more party pills for Manukau

Party pills will soon be gone from the shelves of all liquor outlets in Manukau city. The Manukau District Licensing Authority run by Manukau City Council will ask retailers to remove party pills from their shelves or face having their liquor licenses removed.

The new stance follows a recent successful Liquor Licensing Authority judgement against a retailer in Manurewa that wanted to sell alcohol and party pills from the same outlet

The Liquor Licensing Authority supported the council’s view that alcohol and party pills are not compatible products and should not be sold from the same premise. Manukau City Council is now moving to apply this to all outlets across the city.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry says “This is a victory for the people of Manukau. It’s another first for Manukau and thanks should be given to the collaborative work of the agencies involved, especially the Manukau District Licensing Agency and Counties Manukau Police”

“Party pills are dangerous, especially when mixed with alcohol. We’re doing this to combat drug and related harm in Manukau, especially among our young people.

In the coming weeks letters will be sent to liquor retailers advising them of the decision and encouraging them to remove all of these products voluntarily to avoid the need for enforcement action.

This will apply to any applicant for a new or a renewal of an existing license and will be included in routine inspections.

It is expected that all party pills will be removed from bottle stores by January 2008.

ENDS

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