A new drug phenomenon has emerged in New Zealand in recent years. Commonly known as ‘party pills’, and with stimulant-like effects, these substances have proven popular with young people, with one in five 13-45 year olds having ever tried them (Wilkins et al, 2006). Initially unregulated and available to purchase in a wide range of retail outlets, amendments to New Zealand’s Misuse of Drugs Act saw the introduction of a ‘restricted substances’ category into which benzylpiperazine or BZP, the main ingredient in the substances, was placed – essentially regulating ‘party pill’ use through age, sales and advertising restrictions. In 2008, BZP and related phenylpiperazines were rescheduled as class C Controlled Drugs, placing them in the same category as cannabis.
This has provided an opportunity to observe the impact of drug policy in action, and monitor how the market evolves. Will a black market for BZP develop, or will the substance simply disappear? What will the impact be on people’s use of illicit drugs or legally available substances such as alcohol? Initial developments show that the market was quick to respond with new ‘BZP-free’ substances on sale just days after the legislative changes.
This paper will provide an overview of the context in which these substances developed, the policy response, and emerging research and anecdotal evidence of how this has impacted on the drugs market, and drug use, within New Zealand. It will draw on preliminary results from research which is investigating this issue. A web-based survey of young people was undertaken three months after the legislative changes were introduced. Data from this first wave of the study will be presented, and will include findings on use of legal and illicit substances pre and post BZP rescheduling, and users’ own views on the reasons behind any changes in their drug-taking behaviour.