Party Pills

Slang
Legal highs, Herbals, Herbal highs

How it is taken
Orally
Injected

Common effects

  • euphoria, energy, alertness for up to six hours
  • aural and visual senses enhanced
  • stimulation of brain and central nervous system
  • skin tingling
  • hallucinations (in larger doses)

What it is
Party pills are psychoactive substances that have recently been introduced to the recreational drug scene.

Party pills are often based on two ingredients, BZP (benzylpiperazine) and TFMPP (triflouro-methyl-phenylpiperazine), combined with other chemicals such as piper nigrum, phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine. [Please note: we do not yet know what is in the new "BZP free" pills currently being sold - as soon as we know, we will update this page]

Party pills are designed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine (speed, P), MDMA (ecstasy) and LSD (acid, trips), although without the addictive qualities and known negative health risks of illegal drugs.

Little is known about the long-term effects of party pill substances, although there are research projects currently underway in New Zealand to analyse the long-term effects.

From 1 April 2008, BZP becomes a Class C1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This makes it illegal to make, sell, import, export, possess or use. Also from this date, a six-month amnesty exists for possession for personal use less than 5 grams or 100 flakes, tablets, capsules, or other drug forms each containing some quantity of the drug.

Short-term effects
Although there does not appear to be evidence that these drugs pose an overdose risk, taking more than the maximum dosage (normally listed on the packaging) can lead to very unpleasant feelings. Short-term effects include:

  • loss of appetite
  • sleep deprivation, which could lead to psychotic episodes
  • 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 these substances are relatively new to recreational use, there is very little research into the long-term effects of BZP, TFMPP and other party pills.

Dependence, addiction and overdose risk
There is no known risk of physical addiction although there could be a risk of psychological dependence. There is no evidence to indicate a lethal dose limit for party pill compounds, although a person who takes excessive amounts will experience very unpleasant feelings of nausea and vomiting, as well as anxiety and paranoia.

The New Zealand context
Since the introduction of party pills in New Zealand around the year 2000, an estimated 8 million tablets have been sold, contributing to an annual industry turnover of $26 million per year.

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

The government's Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs, in a paper presented in 2004, found that there was insufficient evidence to classify BZP under the Misuse of Drugs Act (thereby making it illegal). However, the committee did recommend that there be a mechanism to restrict the sale of BZP, a recommendation that eventually led to the amendment of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.

Following this recommendation, a number of research projects were commissioned into BZP party pills. Based on the findings from some of these projects, the EACD made a new recommendation to the Minister that BZP party pills be classified as a Class C1 controlled drug. The NZ Parliament passed a law to this effect in March 2008, making BZP and related substances illegal.

Statistics
Research from SHORE's 2006 National Household Survey of Legal Party Pill Use found that:

  • one in five people have tried party pills at least once
  • 33.9 percent of 18-19 year-olds and 38 percent of 20-24 year-olds had taken party pills in the previous year
  • 5.7% of party pill users had taken them once a week or more often in the previous year
  • one in six people had reported driving under the influence of party pills
  • nearly one in three users said they drank more alcohol when using party pills
  • 13.5 percent of people who use both legal party pills and illicit substances said that they had started using party pills first but now mostly use illicit drugs
  • however, 44.1 percent of people in that category indicated that they were using illicit drugs but now mostly use legal party drugs.

The law and penalties
Up until 1 April 2008, party pills are restricted under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 which means that they are legal to sell with certain restrictions pertaining to the sale of these products.

The law, enacted in 2005, states:

  • no person may sell a restricted substance to a person younger than 18 years, nor can they sell it to someone 18 years or older in the knowledge that it will be supplied to a minor. The penalty for these offences is a maximum fine of $2000
  • nobody under 18 years old can sell a restricted substance. The maximum fine for this is $2000
  • no advertising of party pills is allowed in print, television, or any other digital or electronic medium (ie, the internet). Breaches of this could incur a $5000 fine for individuals or $10,000 for a body corporate (company)
  • restricted substances cannot be given away for free, nor can they be promoted by contests, lotteries or games to entice the purchaser to buy a particular brand. An individual is liable for a $5000 fine, while a body corporate risks a fine up to $10,000
  • health warnings deemed appropriate for particular substances must be displayed on the packaging. Fines up to $5000 for an individual and $10,000 for a company are liable

There are also restrictions on dosage and required signage that may be imposed on substances.

Other restrictions, such as manufacturing, record-keeping and importation requirements, also apply under the Misuse of Drugs Act amendment of 2005.

From 1 April 2008, BZP and related substances become a Class C1 controlled drug, with the same penalties as cannabis plant.

Safe use
Although little is yet known about the physical and mental health effects of using party pills, there has been an increasing number of reports of emergency admissions where party pill use has been indicated.

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

Health information and dosage limits are included on the packaging of party pills. Recommended dosage should not be exceeded. Party pills can contain high doses of psychoactive substances and can cause considerable unpleasantness, including anxiety, nausea and vomiting when excessive amounts are taken.

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. BZP is known to cross the placenta and can affect both an unborn child and an infant still breastfeeding.

How to get help
There are a number of treatment organisations that can help. If you feel that you or anyone you know needs help, then you can call these services in strict confidence.

If you are faced with an emergency, call 111 immediately.
To talk to someone about your or someone else's drug use, call the Alcohol Drug Helpline - 0800 787 797

You can also get contact details for your local alcohol and other drug counsellor or treatment provider by calling the helpline or by visiting www.addictionshelp.org.nz .

Links
The Alcohol and Drug Association of New Zealand has produced a brochure outlining basic safety and health information on party pills.

New Zealand's Research Archive

A report from Massey University's SHORE research unit, Legal Party Pill Use in New Zealand