Drug Normalization By Nightclubs

11/12/02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DRUG NORMALIZATION BY NIGHTCLUBS

Teens are being desensitized about drug use by some nightclubs. “PRYDE Hugs Not Drugs have seen an alarming rise in the number of calls from anxious parents voicing their concern and seeking advise on this issue to keep their children safe”, says Vesta Boswell, CEO of PRYDE Hugs Not Drugs.

“We believe nightclubs are directly targeting teens in this way in order to turn a profit, and it seems they’ll do anything to get them through the door. Some clubs are handing out caffeine based “homeopathic pills” to people as they enter. One such pill is known as a ‘Reddie’. It’s caffeine based and young people receiving them are told these pills will help them “party longer”.

If taken by young people with heart, kidney or asthma complaints their health and safety is compromised because of the effects these pills can induce, like an increase heart rate and increasing a person’s dehydration rate.

PRYDE considers this practice irresponsible in the extreme and this particular form of drug normalization as unacceptable. “The message teens are getting when they are given these pills is that pill taking is necessary to have a good time,” says Vesta Boswell. Encouraging the consumption of these pill is desensitising teens to the dangers involved while at the same time setting the stage for other pill taking like Ecstasy ro P. If taking a pill before was no big deal, the next line is a lot easier to swallow.

“These are not scare tactics but rather beware tactics for parents” she said. PRYDE advises parents are best to stay informed about the risks their teens face and then to pass on this knowledge to their children. PRYDE Hugs Not Drugs have been involved in drug education / prevention for 13 years and parent networking is another great way to keep kids safe and parents up to date on what’s happening out there’

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Vesta Boswell, CEO PRYDE NZ, Hugs Not Drugs Tel: 03 3288915 mob: 025 2282074 Email: pryde@ihug.co.nz

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