22 February 2005
Evidence that party pills are not a problem
The Social Tonics Association of New Zealand (STANZ) will this afternoon demonstrate to the Health Select Committee in
Auckland that ‘party pills’ are not a problem.
STANZ will also ask the Committee to introduce sensible, appropriate and enforceable regulations around the sale and
marketing of these products to ensure things stay this way.
STANZ is the industry association representing 80 per cent of party pill manufacturers, distributors and marketers in
New Zealand.
The STANZ submission is in response to the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill SOP which is designed to introduce controls
around the sale of party pills and substances deemed not dangerous enough to warrant prohibition. The STANZ submission
will be at 4.45pm at the Alexandra Park Functions Centre, Epsom.
STANZ spokesperson Matt Bowden said the Association had been requesting a level of Government regulation into the sale
and marketing of these products throughout 2004.
“While these products are not suitable for children, they are of genuine value as a safe, legal alternative to dangerous
illegal drugs such as methamphetamine or P,” said Mr Bowden.
“We have been working closely with the Ministry of Health in terms of developing a workable regime that continues to
provide safe alternatives to illegal drugs while at the same time restricting their sale to adults and controlling their
production and marketing.
“STANZ is pleased that this SOP is advocating a common sense position which is based on the best international evidence
and the recommendation of New Zealand’s Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs,” he said.
Mr Bowden said more than six million legal party pills had been sold in New Zealand over the last six years, with no
long-term adverse effects.
“These products were originally designed to help facilitate the move away from addictive drugs and all the evidence we
see is that these products are succeeding in doing this.”
Mr Bowden said that as the use of these products has increased, there has been a steady decline in the numbers of people
turning up to hospital requiring treatment for illegal drugs such as GHB and ecstasy.
“We acknowledge that there have been some participants in the market recently who have not operated to the desired
standards. This is precisely why we are calling for an element of central regulation.”
Mr Bowden said he hoped the Committee continued to take an evidence-based approach to this issue and urged the Committee
to introduce light-handed and balanced regulation to keep all members of the community safe.
ENDS