Anderton Calls An End To Party Pill Party + Audio

Anderton Calls An End To Party Pill Party + Audio

Jim Anderton, Associate Minister of Health and Leader of the Progressive Party, announced today that the cabinet had agreed to his recommendation to ban BZP and related party pills.

After the legislation is passed, BZP will be classified as Class C1 and a six month amnesty for possession or personal use will go into effect. Those who supply, manufacture, or export BZP products will be liable for a penalty of up to eight years imprisonment.

Mr Anderton expected the legislation would be passed before the end of this year.

Jim Anderton based his recommendation on evidence of the potentially toxic effects of the substance from experts and agencies including Police, Justice, Customs, and Health.

“There is the potential for death or moderate to terminal harm”, he told media at a press conference this afternoon.

Officials will continue work started by the Law Commission to require manufacturers of psychoactive substances to prove they are safe before they are allowed to be sold. Currently manufacturers are not required to test their products before release.

“Because they are on sale legally there is an assumption by many people—particularly young people—that they must be all right. In fact, we don’t know if they’re all right at all”, Jim Anderton said.

According to the Minister, making BZP illegal will have a precautionary effect and there should be significant decline of usage over a relatively short period of time.

A complete review of the Misuse of Drug Act has also been approved by cabinet and is to be completed by December 2008.

Listen to Jim Anderton's full press conference

ENDS

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