The New Zealand Drug Foundation is warning Kiwis to be careful after a bad batch of synthetic cannabis was linked to the death of one person, and the hospitalisation of a second.
On Thursday, High Alert, the warning system run by Drug Information and Alert New Zealand issued a notice saying a bad batch was circulating the Wellington, Palmerston North and Wairarapa regions.
"High Alert recommends extreme caution consuming synthetic cannabinoids (also known as synnies), especially in these locations at this time."
Chief executive Sarah Helm is urging people to familiarise themselves with the signs of synthetic cannabis overdose, and to intervene if they see someone who needs help.
"It's known to make people pass out - and that compounds harm because people get used to seeing others pass out, and therefore do not seek the medical attention they need," Sarah Helm told The AM Show.
The warning signs include frothing at the mouth, unconsciousness and severe distress - Helm says anyone who notices these in someone should seek medical attention for them immediately.
Lack of medical attention was credited in a January coronial inquest into the death of Erin Patrick Kidwell, who died of a synthetic cannabis overdose in 2017 when his friends failed to call an ambulance for him.
The coroner's report reveals Kidwell's friends heard him coughing and then a thud as he collapsed on the floor at around 3am.
No one thought to check on him, as this was considered "normal behaviour".
"He would smoke synthetic cannabis then collapse on the floor before regaining consciousness," said Coroner Tania Tetitaha.
"It appears it was expected he would get up afterwards."
But Kidwell never got up again. It's not uncommon either - synthetic cannabis killed more than 70 people between 2018 and 2019.
Helm says synthetic cannabis often draws in Aotearoa's most vulnerable.
"It tends to be people who really, really want to get as out of it as they can for the lowest price...people who are most attracted are those going through severe life distress - some of the most horrific life experiences, insecure housing et cetera."
"It's designed to mimic some of the effects of cannabis but it's very different - it's much more dangerous and unpredictable and some strains can become fatal."
