Gael Donoghue, Health Spokesperson for the Christian Heritage Party is calling for greater control of the drug of abuse “Fantasy” which caused three young people to be hospitalised in Auckland – one to critical care.

She says, “Gamma Hydroxybutyric acid, known as ‘Fantasy’ or ‘GHB’ and sometimes ‘Liquid Ecstasy’ needs to be classified further in New Zealand. Ten years ago the drug was made a controlled substance in the USA. Why does it take our authorities so long to act?” she asks, “especially in light of the many recent overdosing and serious threats to young people’s lives.

“This drug has been linked with deaths overseas and is one of the ‘designer, recreation’ drugs readily available in nightclub situations. It can induce comas and respiratory depression, confusion, hallucinations and complete amnesia of events upon recovery. The Ministry of Health is well aware of the potency of this drug and its danger, particularly in conjunction with alcohol or benzodiazepines – readily available in the night clubbing scene - and should move to encourage Government to further classify this drug to a ‘controlled’ status,” said Mrs Donoghue.

The Christian Heritage Party has long advocated more education for our young people in regard to drug misuse and abuse. It is also necessary to continue to update information as in the case of ‘Ecstasy’ and now of ‘Fantasy’,” concluded Mrs Donoghue.

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