WARNING NOT TO BAN 'PARTY' DRUG

A NEW recreational drug blamed for several people collapsing in New
Zealand is available in Australia, but researchers warned yesterday
that to ban the drug would only enhance its popularity.

Paul Dillon, of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre,
cautioned authorities against banning One4b, saying it would merely
heighten its popularity.

Mr Dillon said the drug, which could be lethal if mixed with other
substances, had been available to Australians through the Internet
for a short time.

He said the drug was being marketed on the Internet as a dietary
supplement and natural alternative to the banned drug GHB, or Fantasy.

``Basically it has a similar sort of effect and definitely if you
talk to users, it's a similar sort of drug with similar sorts of
problems,'' he said.

New Zealand's health authorities stopped the distribution of One4b
after four young people took the drug and became unconscious.