Synthetic Drugs
Synthetics 'survivors' turn to touch rugby to help get over drugs
In amongst the horror of synthetic drugs, which the NZ Drug Foundation calls a public health emergency, is a touch rugby team aiming to make a difference. Logan Church reports. Video, Audio
Synthetic drugs could be reclassified as Class A drugs
Two of the most widely used synthetic drugs could be reclassified as Class A drugs, alongside heroin and cocaine. Audio
Dodgy synthetic drugs blamed for Christchurch death
St John Ambulance today revealed that a recent death is being linked to the same synthetic drugs which have put 19 other people in hospital. Video, Audio
Synthetic drug 'bad batch' users continue to pour into hospital
Canterbury DHB said it has had around 20 people arrive at its emergency department - some critically ill - after taking the drug. Video, Audio
Minister proposing harsher synthetic drug laws
Police Minister Stuart Nash says the law that regulates synthetics is "inadequate", and the government is considering moving its regulation to result in harsher penalities. Video, Audio
Synthetic drug addicts say it's too hard to get help to quit
Synthetic drug addicts in the Napier suburb of Maraenui are giving up trying to quit the drug, saying getting help is simply too hard. The Hawke's Bay District Health Board says help is available for… Audio
Maraenui - The Napier suburb drowning in synthetics
Grandmas, kids, almost 'everyone' is consuming synthetics in Napier's poorest suburb, Maraenui. Anusha Bradley meets a cop who's trying to stamp it out, and a mum who's struggling to give up the drug.
…Maraenui's synthetic drug problem
The Napier suburb of Maraenui is in the grip of a synthetic cannabis crisis. Children as young as 11 are hooked on the drug, and there aren't many in the suburb unaffected by the problem. Audio
Synthetic drug deaths
The Acting PM Winston Peters says an Otara not a "Remuera solution" needs to be found for the sourge of synthetic drugs that have killed 40-45 people in a year. Social justice campaigner Denis… Audio
Doco shines light on NZ's synthetics crisis
Syn City: NZ's Synthetics Drug Crisis is a confronting short documentary by youth media outlet VICE about the deadly dangers of synthetic drugs. Audio
Synthetic drug suspected in Hutt Valley death
Police fear another person has died from the use of synthetic drugs. Video
Arrests made in Wellington over synthetic drugs
Super-strong synthetic drugs made by "idiot dealers and manufacturers" were responsible for the spike in deaths linked to the substances, an emergency doctor says. Video, Audio
High doses of dangerous chemicals in NZ's synthetic drugs
The preparation of synthetic drugs in this country is out of control, with doses of a dangerous chemical far greater than used overseas, a NZ scientist says. Audio
Arrests and seizures in Police fight against synthetic drugs
Three kilograms of raw product, with a street value of $1.5 million was seized, alongside a seperate investigation that resulted in three arrests for supply. Audio
Synthetic drug compound worth $1.5m seized
Police and customs have seized 3kg of a potentially lethal synthetic drug compound with a final street value of about $1.5 million.
Around 20 recent deaths potentially linked to synthetic drugs
Three recent deaths, including two this week in West Auckland, have been linked to a new drug - and the death of a 21 year old Fielding man is also being investigated. Audio
Twenty deaths linked to synthetic drug use
The coroner is investigating about 20 deaths possibly linked to synthetic drugs.
More deaths from synthetic substances 'tragically likely'
More people will die after using synthetic substances because doctors do not know how to treat them, an addiction expert says.
Police raids net haul of 'zombie' drug precursors
Police raids around the country have recovered large quantities of "zombie" drugs with an estimated value of $1.5 million.
Tenth death linked to synthetic drug use
Police are investigating the death of a 47-year-old man in central Auckland, which may be linked to synthetic drug use.
