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Txt-a-drug info service – ‘Get the Msg’
Wednesday, 13 September 2006.
Originally from express article 13 September 2006
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| Di from CADS talks about the Txt-a-drug info service - 'Get the Msg' |
Yesterday I texted ‘K’ to 3784. I got back a message saying ‘Ketamine Anaesthetic Alters sensory perceptions High dose can result in headaches & hallucination Known to cause heart lung failure – drug.org.nz – 0800693784’ Pretty cool I reckon!
So how did all this come about?
On Thursday 31st August ‘Run the Red’, New Zealand Drug Foundation and Vodafone rolled out this new free text message service where people can text the names of drugs, including common street names, to DRUGS (3784) and receive safety information. It also provides links to further information and help, from the NZ Drug Foundation website and 0800 number. The message service has about 17 drugs listed with over 200 slang names so that you can still access the information with alternative and slang names.
Ross Bell (Drug Foundation executive director) said at the launch “There are times when people need to know urgently about the possible effects of drugs if they or their friends feel unsafe or unwell – they don’t have time to swot up about drugs on the internet or in a book. ‘Get the Msg’ provides that info quickly”. Yes this is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, completely anonymous service. It's only available to Vodafone clients for the next three months, but after that other mobile phone networks may become involved.
The project is an initiative of the Vodafone Graduate Programme, a scheme where recent graduates champion a corporate responsibility project. New Zealand is following the lead of Ireland, where this project was first rolled out. The Irish response was immediate – with 40,000 text messages in the first month of operation, after originally anticipating only 10,000 for six months!
Accurate drug information has to be a good thing. As I have emphasised in past articles, pre-planning for a night out can maximise fun and minimise harm.
So if you are planning on using any mind altering substances, consult your phone first!
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's alcohol or other
drug use, or if you'd like more information, contact CADS on 845 1818 or www.cads.org.nz or if you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug
Helpline 0800 787 797.
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> More items from Di's Drug Column
