Jacqui Dean
National Party MP

5 June 2006

Sort out rules on party pills before people are killed

The National Party MP championing a bill to toughen up the rules around legal party pills is pointing to a report in Southland as evidence that there's an urgent need to act sooner rather than later.

"It's not just an issue about what these people are doing to themselves, but when they're out driving on our roads having taken as many as 40 party pills - they're clearly putting innocent lives at risk."

Jacqui Dean is commenting after police decided to lay charges against a 17 year-old who is accused of driving while under the influence of party pills.

"This incident confirms my fears about the dangers of party pills and shows that some real urgency needs to be injected into the effort to control their sale - especially to the young.

"This should be a wake up call for Jim Anderton. It is time to act."

Mrs Dean launched a petition last year calling for further research and much tighter controls on the advertising and sale of party pills. After gaining 7,500 signatures, the petition is now with Parliament's Health Select Committee.

"Kids as young as 12 have been taking these things and experiencing side effects including racing heart, palpitations and convulsions.

"Adequate checks should already be in place. The police are frustrated with the slow progress and so are the public," says Mrs Dean.

ENDS

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