[xh Multiple hospitalisations due to synthetic drug use<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nThe hospitalisation had been linked to synthetic drugs in the Auckland region. (File photo)
\nPhoto: AFP\n<\/p>\n
A warning has been issued after multiple people were hospitalised in the last day after using synthetic drugs.<\/p>\n
High Alert, a drug watchdog, said the cases had been linked to synthetic cannabis in the Auckland region with multiple hospitalisations reported in the last 24 hours.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said there had been a wider trend of increased harm related to synthetic drugs across the country in the last few months but the sharp increase in hospitalisations was a serious concern.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t yet known which synthetic cannabinoid was responsible for the hospitalisations. High Alert said further analysis would be done by PHF Science (formerly ESR).<\/p>\n
Extreme caution was needed if consuming synthetic drugs, the spokesperson said, especially in the Auckland region.<\/p>\n
“If you or someone you know takes this substance and starts to lose consciousness or stops breathing, call 111 immediately.”<\/p>\n
Synthetic cannabinoids could vary in strength, High Alert said, and what was a safe dose for one may be a fatal dose for another.<\/p>\n
It was often diluted and sprayed onto plant material which led to different concentrations, which made it harder to predict how strong the effects would be.<\/p>\n
People who had taken the drugs could collapse, foam at the mouth or experience temporary paralysis.<\/p>\n
Effects could be made worse if use with alcohol or other drugs or medications, if a person was unwell or was experiencing mental distress.<\/p>\n
117 deaths since 2017<\/p>\n
The Drug Foundation’s executive director, Sarah Helm, said synthetic cannabinoids could be deadly, and warned the drug had caused a number of fatalities.<\/p>\n
“We lost over 117 New Zealanders to synthetic cannabinoids in about 2017.<\/p>\n
They have been around on and off ever since.”<\/p>\n
Helm said they tend to be used by people who were facing challenges, such as mental health or experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n
She said the number of hospitalisations were really concerning.<\/p>\n
“If you’re with somebody who is using synthetic cannabinoids, or indeed pass a homeless person who looks like they’ve passed out or gone to sleep, please check that they’re still breathing.”<\/p>\n
Helm said the signs to look out for were loss of consciousness, having seizures, chest pains, or being very agitated.<\/p>\n
Synthetic drugs were usually described as white, off-white or yellow\/brown powders that were dissolved and sprayed onto dehydrated plant material and smoked, High Alert said, and there was often a chemical smell that was noticeably different from cannabis.<\/p>\n
Anyone who did chose to use synthetic drugs should make sure not be alone and test a small amount first to see how it affected them.<\/p>\n
Drugs could be tested for free at confidential drug checking services such as ones run by KnowYourStuffNZ, the New Zealand Drug Foundation and DISC Trust.<\/p>\n