Dangerous Drugs on sale legally (Piperazine ban imminent in Ireland)

[Abrad]

The Mail
Mindbending drugs legally sold in Ireland are as lethal as cocaine, ecstasy and other Class A substances, experts warned last night.

Anti-drug campaigners hit out after it emerged that pills containing the stimulant BZP which is described by the US Department of Justice as 20 times more potent than amphetamines are openly available.

Packaged in pairs under the names "Jax Extra Strength", "PEP" and "Smileys" the tablets are on sale to anybody over 18 at the Dublin Head Store in Temple Bar.

Clinical trials have shown that BZP - the common name for the synthetic dug N-benzlypiperizine - can cause convulsions in otherwise healthy adults.

Although it was originally developed to help wean drug users off amphetamines, it has now become poular because of the similarity of its effects with the drug Ecstasy.

The Jax brand is marketed as being "a new legal high" that is "five times stronger than any other dance pills" while "Smileys" are described as having "E-sensory and speed-like qualities". Yesterday the Dublin head shop was selling two of each brand for €36.
Last night the International president of Europe against Drugs, Dublin-based Grainne Kenny called for an immediate ban on BZP and said "The fact that these drugs are being sold legally over the counter is a huge problem - the law has to be changed".
"Enticing young people to use drugs which are as bad as ecstasy, cocaine and other Class A drugs is appalling"
"These drugs are mimicing ecstasy and speed and have already been the cause of deaths"
Fine Gael Health Spokeman Dr. Liam Twomey also called on the Government to ban BZP.
He said "Given the nature of the drug andits status in other countries, I think the health minister should look at the matter immediatly and reclassify it".

A spokeman for the Department of health insisted the status of BZP remained under review, saying: "BZP is not a scheduled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1997.
"The legality of all substances is kept under review, in particular if there is evidence of misuse or the drug causing harm".
BZP is outlawed in several countries including Canada and in every Australian state except Victoria - which is set to ban it next month. The Temple Bar shop also sold "magic mushrooms" until they were banned by Health Minister Mary Harney earlier this year.

The Tanaiste's move followed the death of Colm Hodgkinson who plunged off an appartment block balcony last hallowe'en after taking the hallucinogenic fungus.
Last night, Miss Kenny said that once "magic mushrooms" were made illegal it was inevitable that manufacturers would "get around the law" and come up with "other brands of drugs which were equally as bad" Whe buying both "Jax" and "Smileys" last night the shop assistant offered no warning of their strength to the Mails reporter.

However one of the drugs did come with a printed caution.
"Jax are aimed primarily at the experienced clubber and were originally designed as a replacement for people coming off E. Jax are strong, very strong.
If you weigh less than 70kg it is advised you only take half a pill."