Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Misuse of Drugs (Classification of BZP) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Misuse of Drugs (Classification of BZP) Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Sitting date: 13 March 2008. Volume:645;Page:14934. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Minister of Pacific Island Affairs) 
: 
 Kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. It is my pleasure to stand and speak in support of the third reading of the Misuse of Drugs (Classification of BZP) Amendment Bill. 
This bill amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 to make it illegal to possess and use sell supply import export or manufacture benzylpiperazine (BZP) phenylpiperazine and related substances. These substances are the active ingredients in the majority of pills commonly known as party pills or herbals. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent the misuse of drugs by controlling harmful substances through the classification of drugs according to their degree of harmfulness.  
Party pills—or herbals as they are also known—came on to the scene in New Zealand around 2000 and their popular use has increased over the years. A walk down Cuba Street or Courtenay Place or down streets right around our country illustrates how accessible these pills have become to our families and our communities and more important to our young people. There are shops dedicated to selling the pills with dairies 24-hour service stations and nightclubs stocking them so that they are readily available. As the popularity of party pills has grown an increasing number of manufacturers of these products have entered the market.  
A 2006 Massey University study found that nearly 60 percent of 20 to 24-year-olds surveyed had tried party pills. As the popularity of these pills increased real concern was raised over the potential health effects—let alone all the other effects—of these pills. Reports have also shown that a wide range of people are using party pills from young professionals to senior citizens who use the pills to make themselves feel more alert or on a high. The party pills are sold under a wide range of product names and the term “herbals” implies that they are good for people. It is thought that a large number of people use BZP because it is legal and readily available.  
I join with my colleagues in congratulating the Hon Jim Anderton on his role in this and on the public consultation that it has enabled. He has shown real leadership and stewardship of legislation in this area not only with this bill but also with the 2005 Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill. That amendment made it an offence to sell and supply pills to people under 18 years of age or to give away or advertise the pills thus enabling controls on BZP while research was carried out into this drug.  
The classification of BZP and the harm of the drug’s misuse have been extensively considered in recent years. This bill has resulted from this research and from a recommendation made to the Minister of Health by the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs that BZP be classified as a class C1 controlled drug—the same as cannabis—under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 as it poses a moderate risk to the health of those using it. In making its classification recommendation the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs has ensured that its decision is evidence-based appropriate for New Zealand’s domestic situation and consistent with international obligations. When introducing the third reading Minister O’Connor commented that the committee’s composition represented all professional areas including a representative of those who treat consumers of drugs. Our Government has acted on expert advice and has taken this recommendation very very seriously and this bill seeks to give effect to that.  
Because party pills have been legally available for a number of years a 6-month amnesty for those who have less than 5 grams or 100 tablets for their personal use as opposed to supply will remain in place from the commencement date of the legislation on 1 April 2008 ending on 30 September 2008. More important this bill ensures that all New Zealanders are protected from potential harm and from the effects on themselves their families and their communities caused by BZP phenylpiperazine and related substances which are the active ingredients in party pills. For that reason I commend the bill to the House. Thank you.