Man who supplied synthetics to man who later died sentenced to community detention

A young man has been sentenced to community detention for supplying synthetic cannabis to another man who later died from the drug.

The father of the man who died says he's disappointed with the sentence and is pushing for harsher penalties for those who deal in synthetics.

Jonathan Gordon, 23, was sentenced at Waitakere District Court to three months community detention for supplying synthetic cannabis.

"What these dealers fail to understand is to them it's just another sale, but the lasting effects synthetics drugs have on families is catastrophic," said Justice Noel Sainsbury.

Gordon was described as a small-time dealer who sold the drug to feed his own addiction. His friend Calum Jones is one of those he supplied synthetics to.

Like Gordon, 22-year-old father Jones had been an addict for many years. He died from heart failure a day after smoking the drug with Gordon.

While Gordon isn't charged in connection with the death, Justice Sainsbury said the tragedy was relevant when considering the sentence.

"The reality is you fed his addiction, and his addiction killed him," Justice Sainsbury said.

He read from a statement by Jones's mother, which said: "Suppliers of synthetics substances need to comprehend that an addict's life is worth more than $20 to the family and friends of those left behind."

Jones' father Lewis is a campaigner for tougher sentences for synthetics dealers.

"I think it should be an eight-year sentence, it stops the addiction, it stops the chain of events," Mr Jones said.

He believes many, like his son, got hooked on synthetics when it was legal. He says it was extremely difficult to get help for his son, and the Government has an obligation to put more resources into rehab and mental health services.

But his message to families is don't lose hope: "You're not alone. It's a widespread epidemic of it, it's got to stop."

Jonathan Gordon says he hasn't touched the drug since Jones died, and is in full-time work. He will also serve 100 hours of community service and undergo 18 months of intensive supervision.

But this heartbroken family is on a mission - desperate for their boy's death to highlight the horror of synthetics.

Newshub.