NORML NZ : Media Release : 16 June 2006

NORML says Party Pill Regulation is the only success story in NZ drug policy

NORML replied to critics of party-pill availability today by praising the government's initiative in regulating the sales of party pills.

"Controlling access to party pills by regulation is the only success story this government has had in its drug policy," says Chris Fowlie, spokesperson for the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)

"There may be some improvements to be made in the actual form of regulation, but the critics are completely misguided if they think banning BZP will reduce harm.

"Most young people are already using a variety of stimulants. Why try to take away one of the safer ones, which is legal, with the near-inevitable result that people will turn to illegal drugs with a higher risk?

"Alcohol indulgence, and the use of party pills and other ways of getting high are common and are widely accepted in New Zealand society. Experiences with party pills are valuable for young people who live in a world of easy access to drugs. Any smart health professionals should be grateful that the system of regulation is there to protect users from significant harm and it has been very successful in that objective.

"Certainly, abstinence works for some of us. But most young people need to learn how to enjoy themselves safely with substances like alcohol and other drugs. The availability of BZP pills helps achieve that.

"Nothing would be achieved by attempting to prohibit BZP - except an increase in the use of other psychoactive substances. Who advocates that?"

NORML congratulates the Minister responsible for the regulatory system, Jim Anderton, and invites the critics to stop indulging in wishful thinking about drug policy. A copy of NORML's recent submission on the National Drug Policy is attached, to provide a guide to more successful drug policies.

"It's not the drugs. It's how we're using them."

ENDS

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