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Warning on herbal pills for Big Day Out

In the week leading up to one of the country's biggest musical events, party pills have been marketed as one of the key essentials to get people through the long day, which often involves plenty of dancing in humid conditions.

But St John Ambulance staff are warning party goers of the dangers of overdoing the herbal pills, which are widely available in shops.

St John regional events manager Adam Johnston said staff at last year's Big Day Out noticed a sharp increase in serious collapses associated with the legal stimulants.

"Last year we treated five people who collapsed, four of them with seizures. In some cases these people had consumed up to 10 times the recommended dose before turning up at the event."

Because the pills have become more popular with young people in the past year, St John is preparing for more pill-related problems.

Mr Johnston said people needed to remember that the pills, with names such as Charge, Exodus and Frenzy, might be legal, but that did not mean they were safe - particularly in large quantities.

"People just need to ask themselves how `twisted' do they really want to get.

"Twisted enough to need intensive care? There is a threshold of what is safe to consume. There is also an element of self responsibility here."