Authorities: Same drug, different colour
August 2, 2007 09:40:00
Authorities have played down fears that a new designer drug has hit the streets of Perth
Yesterday, police in Perth made their first seizure of Black Ice during raids on homes in Ballajura and Alexander Heights.
Three senior members of street gangs have been charged over the haul.
Terry Murphy from the Drug and Alcohol Office says Black Ice is simply a combination of methamphetamine and black food dye.
Mr Murphy says it shows drug manufacturers are only interested in making profits.
"We haven't encountered Black Ice before but other jurisdictions have," he said.
"Essentially we understand it as something of a marketing ploy, simply adding colouring to the manufacture of the drug to create the appearance of a new product but in fact it's amphetamine.
"I think this approach to marketing an illicit drug reminds us that the people who produce these products are simply out for profit and they'll use any means to fool people that there's something new and exciting out there.
"Certain myths will be associated with different appearances of drugs such as they're more potent or more effective. People need to remember that a drug is a drug and if it's illegal, it's bound to be dangerous."