Australia: Young 'ignore party drugs warnings'
Jasbird
: She said party drugs were potentially more harmful than other
: prohibited drugs such as heroin because the effects cannot
: be predicted.
I see - it's because the harmful effects are exaggerated - well
where's the 'news' at www.news.com.au ?
Criminalisers in the medical profession continue to treat us like
little who must be lied to for our own benefit.
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<http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6918762%255E1702,00.html>
Young 'ignore party drugs warnings'
By Karen Hart | August 11, 2003
YOUNG people are ignoring warnings on the harmful effects of party
drugs, according to a Victorian report.
Victorian Drug and Alcohol Association (VDAA) executive officer Carol
Benett (Benett) said the association's report released today, found
more than 20 per cent of people aged 20 to 29 have used party drugs at
least once.
The most common illegal drugs used are ecstasy, crystal meth and
ketamine, which are usually manufactured in backyard operations.
The report was compiled after a symposium in Melbourne in June which
drew together more than 200 people including chemists, doctors,
leading drug researchers and users.
Ms Benett said research also found that 15 per cent of teenagers had
at one time used party drugs.
"The study found most young people have no idea what they are taking
and many young people wrongly assume that party drugs are quite safe,
so the warnings are not getting through," she said.
"No one knows what exactly is in these drugs and the contents may
cause an allergic reaction in one person, and a different reaction in
another."
She said party drugs were potentially more harmful than other
prohibited drugs such as heroin because the effects cannot be
predicted.
"Six times as many people have used these drugs than have used heroin
and in the general population, six per cent have used them.
"That figure is much higher than heroin and most other illicit drugs
and this is quite alarming."
Ms Benett says the effects on users can vary dramatically, with people
experiencing depression, anxiety, heart, liver and kidney damage. Some
experienced impaired decision making or engaged in unwanted sex.
"Who it's used by, where it's used and the way it's used cause
different problems in different people and, with ecstasy, users build
a tolerance to the drug, so they have to take more of the drug to get
the same effect."
Ms Benett said more needs to be done to address the problem.
"We need stronger regulations and laws especially at nightclubs and
raves where young people are more likely to take party drugs.
"Venues need to provide chill-out rooms, provide cold water and better
regulate their premises.
"We need to be talking better to partygoers in their own language
about the harmful effects of party drugs."
AAP