Pubdate: Wed, 30 May 2001
Source: New Zealand Press Association (New Zealand Wire)
Copyright: 2001 New Zealand Press Association
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1050

'NEW' DRUGS FIRST TARGET OF NEW HEALTH COMMITTEE

Potentially life threatening drugs including One4b and Fantasy are 
among the first to be targeted for re-classification by a new drug 
committee.

An expert advisory committee on drugs which provides advice to the 
Minister of Health on drug classifications met for the first time 
Tuesday in Wellington.

The committee was established to streamline the process of 
legislating for substances that may be subject to abuse and their 
recommendations would be forwarded to the minister, said Ministry of 
Health chief adviser of public health, safety and regulation, Bob 
Boyd.

The move is partly in response to doctors' warnings against taking 
products containing One4b (1,4 butanediol) and the Fantasy drug gamma 
hydroxy butyrate, as well as other associated chemicals such as 
sodium oxybate and gamma butyrolactone.

The warnings followed the death of Auckland student Shawn Brenner, 
22, in April who died after taking Fantasy.

One4b is a drug with similar properties and effects, but which is now 
marketed as an industrial solvent for cleaning compact discs and 
audio tapes.
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe