Youth parliament > Press gallery > Party Pills select committee_2 by Kim de Leijer

Party Pills select committee_2 by Kim de Leijer

Christchurch residents do not “play by the rules” when it comes to party pills usage according to an industry expert.

By Kim de Leijer

Christchurch residents do not “play by the rules” when it comes to party pills usage according to an industry expert.

Social Tonics Association of New Zealand chairman Matt Bowden said Christchurch did not take the same social responsibility as their Northern counterparts had during the period of voluntary regulation for party pills containing benzylpiperazine (BZP).

Mr Bowden spoke as a witness on a select committee at Youth Parliament this week. The committee consisted of 12 Youth MPs from around the country who had a mock debate around whether party pills should be made illegal or not.

Mr Bowden said BZP related admissions to Christchurch Hospital were significantly higher than those from other areas of the North Island. “ Christchurch did not want to play along with the voluntary regulations when they were suggested. They do not play by the rules down there.”

He was one of four witnesses called on by the committee to present viewpoints about BZP. The Government’s recent announcement to classify party pills as a C1 drug by the end of the year was acknowledged at the committee’s debate.

Party pills are a relatively new social phenomena used by many young men and women. Statistics from The New Zealand Drug Foundation showed that one in five New Zealanders have done party pills with more than two thirds of them aged 18 to 24.

Care New Zealand chairman Tim Harding said this figure showed how many young people were putting themselves at risk.

He said users were not aware of long-term risks that could be associated with the pills and that BZP was dangerous. “Don’t be confused BZP is a drug. It should be made illegal and I don’t think there will be a black market for it because it’s simply not good enough.”

The select committee was one of several activities that the 121 Youth MPS have been involved in. Other events included a general debate, question time and several presentations by politicians and officials.

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