Pubdate: Sat, 03 Aug 2013
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2013 The Arizona Republic
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Nick Perry, Associated Press
Page: A6

NEW ZEALAND'S DRUG LAW DRAWS GLOBAL INTEREST

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - A novel New Zealand law that could
legalize some designer drugs is being scrutinized with interest by
other countries struggling to keep up with the proliferation of "party
pills" and similar products.

The law, enacted two weeks ago, represents a U-turn from the
traditional approach of banning synthetic drugs. Instead, New Zealand
will attempt to regulate them, allowing their sale if they go through
rigorous safety testing similar to that for pharmaceuticals. Giving
users a high wouldn't be a reason to ban them, a government health
official said, though they would need to come with warnings, such as
not driving while under their influence.

The policy is getting some attention globally. A group of British
parliamentarians this year recommended adopting a similar policy.
Australian officials have contacted their New Zealand counterparts to
learn more. And the New York-based nonprofit Drug Policy Alliance,
which advocates legalizing marijuana, wants to get a similar bill
introduced in Congress.

But while the new law is giving fuel to some politicians and lobbying
groups, most countries are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach. If
anything, the U.S. has become more aggressive in prosecuting cases
since President Barack Obama signed a federal law last year banning 26
new synthetic substances.

Cat-and-mouse with chemists

Sold under street names such as "spice," and "bath salts," the drugs
often mimic banned substances such as marijuana, ecstasy and
methamphetamine. The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse says bath
salts, a meth-like stimulant, can produce feelings of euphoria and
increased sex drive and sociability, but also can have side-effects
including paranoia, delirium and, in some cases, death.

Like many countries, New Zealand has been inundated with designer
drugs in recent years, and has become frustrated with finding itself a
step behind the manufacturers. Once a drug is declared illegal, a
maker often alters its composition slightly to create a new, legal
compound.

That cat-and-mouse game prompted the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime to
describe the industry as "hydra-headed" in a June report, and say the
international drug control system is foundering, because of the speed
and creativity with which manufacturers are producing new variants of
the drugs.

"The basic prohibitionist approach doesn't seem to be working," said
Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the
American group. "Either a drug is criminalized, and underground
chemists produce a new compound, or it's not criminal because it's
never been created before."

Vital to combat the problem

New Zealand lawmakers passed the Psychoactive Substances Bill in a
lopsided 119-1 vote. Under the new law, any approved drugs would be
restricted to people over18 years old and couldn't be sold in
supermarkets, convenience stores or gas stations. Advertising would be
restricted to the point of sale. Drugs already deemed illegal, such as
marijuana and cocaine, would remain so.

Dr. Stewart Jessamine, the New Zealand health ministry official, said
makers would need to show their drug is free from high rates of
serious side effects such as reproductive problems, seizures and
addiction. They also need to demonstrate they have clean manufacturing
labs and secure supply chains.

Jessamine estimated it would cost manufacturers about $1.6 million and
take about a year to get a drug approved.

He said there have already been 10 to 15 applications for licenses
under a provision of the new law that could allow some producers to
continue selling their products while undertaking the trials, if they
apply within an initial 28-day window.
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MAP posted-by: Matt