Government to ban Fantasy drug
By Mariane Betts, Health Reporter
Dealing in the dance drug Fantasy could result in a 14-year prison sentence, after it becomes a Class B banned drug by the middle of next year, the Government announced yesterday.
Emergency department doctors are handling an increasing number of patients suffering life-threatening overdoses of Fantasy - including one in Wellington Hospital last week. A student died earlier this year.
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia said the Fantasy range of drugs, which included gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), 1,4 butanediol (One4b) and GBL, should be classified as Class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
"Three people were hospitalised over the weekend after taking Fantasy. We need to ensure that people realise the danger they are putting themselves in, if they decide to take it," Mrs Turia said.
Under the planned law change, anyone caught importing, manufacturing or supplying the drug would face up to 14 years' imprisonment. Possession could result in up to three months' imprisonment, a $500 fine, or both.
The drug is a depressant of the central nervous system; small doses have a relaxant effect and produce short-term amnesia, while slightly higher doses can stop people breathing, and cause seizures and coma.
Mrs Turia said it was important to know that the same dose could affect people in different ways. "One of the risks arises, because it has a delayed effect, so there is a much greater risk of people overdosing because they take additional doses after a short time. A euphoric dose for one person could sedate another person.
"Classification is based on the risk of harm to individuals or society. With these drugs, there is a fine line between achieving the effect the drug taker is seeking, and having an overdose resulting in potentially serious consequences."
A spokeswoman for the associate minister said those wanting to bring the substances - One4b contains the same chemical as an industrial solvent - into New Zealand for legitimate purposes would require an import licence.
The quantity being imported and who it was being sold to would be contained in the licence. If the substance was being bought for drug use from the importer, both importer and user would be prosecuted.
The Health Ministry's expert advisory committee on drugs has recommended the Fantasy range of drugs be listed under part 1 of Class B. The Cabinet has agreed and the law will be considered by the health select committee early next year.
It must then be approved by Parliament, and could come into effect before the middle of next year.
The Dominion - 13 December 2001
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