Sex shop withdraws legal 'party pills' after public outcry
Wednesday November 22 2006
The tablets, which contain the hallucinogenic stimulant BZP, or Benzylpiperazine, are marketed as a legal alternative to ecstasy.
Among the reported side effects from taking the pills are severe agitation, seizures, paranoia, hyperthermia, abdominal pain and cardiac arrhythmia.
John Callaghan, manager of the Yutopia Adult Shop in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, made the move in response to a storm of criticism led by local anti-drugs campaigner PJ Blake.
The pills, originally developed as a drug to treat cattle for worms, are banned in the US, Australia, Sweden and Denmark but are legal in Ireland and the UK where shops have begun retailing them in recent months.
Mr Callaghan said he was withdrawing the product from the shelves in response to public concerns expressed on Highland Radio.
He added: "I did not think they would cause the controversy they have caused. I have only been selling them for about three weeks and, to be honest, there isn't even very much demand for them.
"I was told they were 100pc safe by my supplier. But I have built up a good loyal customer base in this town and we would be shooting ourselves in the foot if we continued to sell them."
He added that he would not be happy with his children taking the substance.
"Looking at it from a parent's point of view, I would not let my children take them. It is not worth the safety of my customers to continue to sell them," he said.
Welcoming his action, veteran anti-drugs campaigner Mr Blake said he hoped that other shops that sell the pills would now follow suit.
"I had serious concerns about the availability of these pills locally and I am very pleased with the outcome.
"These so-called party pills are the subject of ongoing investigations by the National Drugs Advisory Committee and warnings from Irish health professionals," he added.
Earlier this month, the New Zealand Medical Association, where the pills originate, issued a warning to people not to take them, even though they are legal.
A study in Christchurch, New Zealand, found that 61 patients presented on 80 occasions to the Emergency Department of Christchurch Hospital from April to August 2005 had taken the pills.
Patients with adverse effects had taken an average of 4.5 tablets/capsules. Patients experienced symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and muscle spasms.
Fifteen toxic seizures were recorded and two patients suffered life-threatening conditions.
Back home, the Department of Health said BZP is not a scheduled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but its status is kept under constant review.
According to Dr Des Corrigan from the Trinity College School of Pharmacy, BZP is no safer than any other drug.
He has identified dehydration as the main concern and the risk of heat stroke.
There is also a risk of headaches and flu-like hangovers which could last for days.
- Anita Guidera
