What they are

Benzylpiperazine (BZP) party pills are psychoactive substances that have been on the recreational drug scene since around 2000.

Until 2008, party pills were primarily based on two ingredients, BZP (benzylpiperazine) and TFMPP (triflouro-methyl-phenylpiperazine), combined with other chemicals such as piper nigrum, phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine. However, from 1 April 2008, BZP became a Class C1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This makes it illegal to make, sell, import, export, possess or use this drug.

BZP party pills were designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine (speed, P), MDMA (ecstasy) and LSD.

New generation legal party pills

Since BZP became a controlled drug in 2008, new BZP-free party pills that claim to have similar effects have been sold by party pill retailers. The most common ingredients in new BZP-free party pills are caffeine, citrus aurantium and geranamine (geranium extract). These new party pills are said to have less intense effects than the original BZP party pills.

As with any psychoactive substance, it is recommended that users tell the people they are with if they take party pills. If something goes wrong it is very important that users’ friends know how to help, and can tell others (such as medics) what has been taken.

Psychoactive drugs should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Slang

Legal highs, Herbals, Herbal highs

The rest of this section will refer to illegal BZP party pills.

Health effects

BZP has similar effects to amphetamines and other central nervous system stimulants. When combined with TFMPP (triflouro-methyl-phenylpiperazine) its effects mimic those of MDMA or ecstasy, though TFMPP alone has no psychoactive effect.

Short-term effects

Taking too much BZP or mixing with other substances, including alcohol, can lead to very unpleasant feelings. Short-term effects include:

• increased energy and alertness
• euphoria and elevated mood
• loss of appetite
• sleep deprivation
• dehydration
• fatigue, lack of energy
• feelings of being "strung-out" and stressed
• moodiness and lack of emotional control
• headaches, which can be severe especially when party pills are combined with alcohol
• nausea
• convulsions
• hallucinations
• rapid heart rate.
  

Long-term effects

Because BZP is relatively new to recreational use, there is limited research on its long term effects. However, animal studies suggest BZP could cause long term anxiety, and increase the likelihood of other stimulant abuse.

Dependence, addiction and overdose risk

Human and animal research has demonstrated that BZP is similar to other central nervous system stimulants such as amphetamines, methamphetamines, and MDMA (ecstasy), but at about one tenth the strength. Given BZP’s similarity to other stimulants, it is likely that people who use BZP are at similar risk of harm, though the reduced potency of BZP means overdose is less likely. Hospital admissions have most commonly occurred when users have mixed BZP with other substances.

Law and penalities

Until 1 April 2008, BZP party pills were restricted under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 which meant that they were legal to sell with certain restrictions.

From 1 April 2008, BZP and related substances became a Class C controlled drug, with the same penalties as cannabis plant. The maximum penalty for possession of BZP (Class C) is three months jail and/or a $500 fine. The maximum penalty for importing, manufacturing and/or supplying BZP is eight years imprisonment.

Drug trends

The BZP party pill industry grew rapidly from 2000 until 2008 when BZP was criminalised. The industry estimated that 5 million BZP party pills were consumed in 2007, and over 20 million were consumed since the industry was established.

Tablets were often sold in packs of four to eight, costing between $20 and $50. There were many different varieties of tablets that offered differing experiences, depending on what additives the party pill brand contained.

In 2004the government's Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) found there was insufficient evidence to classify BZP under the Misuse of Drugs Act (thereby making it illegal). However, the Committee did recommend restricting the sale of BZP.

Following this, a number of research projects were commissioned and, based on their findings, the EACD recommended that BZP party pills be classified as a Class C1 controlled drug. Parliament passed a law to this effect in March 2008, making BZP and related substances illegal.

According to the latest Drug Use in New Zealand Survey 2007/2008 published in 2009:

• 13.5 percent of 16- to 64-year-olds have ever used BZP party pills and 5.6 percent used in the previous year
• use peaked in the younger age groups 16 to 17 and 18 tp 24, with males more likely to use than females
• the most common place to use was in a nightclub or bar
• half of all past year users used once or twice in the past year and one in seven used at least monthly
• one in four past year users reported having driven a motor vehicle in the past year while feeling under the influence and 14.5 percent had worked
• alcohol was frequently used in combination with BZP party pills with 80.7 percent of users combining alcohol and BZP party pills
• 0.5 percent of past year users received help to reduce BZP party pill use and 1 percent had wanted help but not received it
• 10.3 percent of past year users experienced harmful effects from use of BZP party pills, most commonly on their friendships or social life and home life.

Note: this data was collected when BZP party pills were legal.

Since the criminalisation of BZP, party pill retailers have stocked party pills with different ingredients. As yet there is no research evidence examining the impact of the ban in terms of a black market or changes in illicit drug use. 

Reducing the harm

The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. However, we know there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs in a dangerous manner. To help keep communities safe we therefore provide information about proven methods of drug harm reduction.

Combining BZP with other drugs, including alcohol, can be dangerous. Many instances of hospital admissions where BZP has been indicated have also involved alcohol. Alcohol use with BZP tends to lead to very unpleasant feelings, especially the day after.

It is recommended users tell the people they are with if they take BZP. If something goes wrong it is very important that users friends know how to help, and can tell others (such as medics) what has been taken.

Psychoactive drugs should not be used while pregnant. BZP can affect both an unborn child and an infant still breastfeeding.

As BZP is now an illegal substance, there is no way to ensure the contents of the pill or powder is actually BZP and no control over its potency or dosage. 

What to do in a crisis

If someone overdoses, becomes unwell, or has a bad reaction to BZP or any other drug, do not hesitate to get emergency medical assistance. A quick response could save their life:

• Dial 111 and ask for Ambulance. Do not wait to see if the person comes right on their own.

• Stay with the person until medical help arrives. Find out if anyone on the scene knows mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Have them stand by in case the person stops breathing or you can no longer detect a pulse.
• Ensure the person has sufficient air. Ask crowds to stand back, open windows, and loosen any tight clothing.
• If the person is unconscious roll them onto their side into the recovery position so they won’t choke if they vomit. Tilt their head back slightly to ensure their tongue does not obstruct their airway.
• If the person stops breathing apply mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, if you cannot detect a pulse begin CPR.
• When the ambulance arrives give the medics as much information as possible – what drugs were taken, when they were taken, and whether the person has any existing medical conditions.
• Before you go out, know what to do in a crisis.

How to get help

If you feel you or anyone you know needs help, there are a number of treatment organisations you can contact in strict confidence.

DrugHelp is a uniquely New Zealand website for people looking for help with their own or someone else’s drug use. DrugHelp shares the stories, experiences, insight and hope of people who have been there – people who have abused drugs and found a way through. www.drughelp.org.nz

The Alcohol Drug Helpline (0800 787 797) provides free and confidential support for any person concerned about their own or another person's alcohol or drug use. When you call you will talk to an experienced counsellor who is there to listen. You can trust the helpline to provide you with confidential and non-judgemental help when you need it.

The helpline is open from 10am-10pm, every day.

Links

A list of relevant links to further information and resources about party pills:

www.ndp.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexcm/ndp-publications-recreationaldrugusebzp?Open Recreational drug using behaviour and legal BZP party pills – a report produced by Victoria University

www.shore.ac.nz/projects/drugs_BZP.htm A selection of reports from Massey University's SHORE research unit.