Jacqui Dean
National Party MP

20 December

Anderton cops out on party pills

National MP Jacqui Dean says today's party pill announcement doesn't go far enough.

The Associate Health Minister, Jim Anderton revealed recommendations by the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) to make the common ingredients in party pills illegal.

He has said there are a number of legal steps he must follow before making a final decision, which isn't likely until March next year.

"It's not good enough," says Mrs Dean.

"Jim Anderton has lost the opportunity to do something really important here and announce a ban on party pill ingredients.

"Instead he has taken the easy way out and in doing so could be risking the lives of many young New Zealanders.

"Jim Anderton has admitted there are 'severe adverse affects' with the use of party pills, yet he still won't take the final step to ban them.

"I am not asking Mr Anderton to act illegally - I'm just asking him to use his common sense.

"Surely after almost 12 months of research and discussion he should have been ready at this time to announce a ban on party pills, and not just make more empty promises."

ENDS

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