BZP is a relatively new synthetic psychotropic (mood altering) substance which has been sold as ecstasy under the street names 'Legal E', 'Legal X' 'XTC', 'A2', 'piperazine', or 'party pills'. In Ireland, party pills containing BZP have been widely sold in head shops.

 

 The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) conducted a risk assessment of BZP in 2007 and found that its use can lead to various medical problems, though the long-term effects of the substance are still unknown. The risk assessment report concluded that due to its stimulant properties, risk to health and the lack of medical benefits there was a need to control BZP. Against this background, the Council of the European Union decided in July 2007 that BZP should be defined as a new psychoactive substance which was to be made subject to control measures and criminal provisions.¹

 

 1. See Long J (2007) BZP - information exchange, risk assessment and control measures. Drugnet Ireland, (23): 21.