A warning has been issued after multiple people have been hospitalised after using synthetic drugs.

High Alert, a drug watchdog, said the cases had been linked to synthetic cannabis in the Auckland region, with multiple hospitalisations reported in the past 24 hours.

A spokesperson said there had been a wider trend of increased harm related to synthetic drugs across the country in the past few months, but the sharp increase in hospitalisations was a serious concern.

It isn’t yet known which synthetic cannabinoid was responsible for the hospitalisations. High Alert said further analysis would be done by PHF Science (formerly ESR).

Extreme caution was needed if consuming synthetic drugs, the spokesperson said, especially in the Auckland region.

“If you or someone you know takes this substance and starts to lose consciousness or stops breathing, call 111 immediately.”

Synthetic cannabinoids could vary in strength, High Alert said, and what was a safe dose for one may be a fatal dose for another.

It was often diluted and sprayed on to plant material which led to different concentrations, which made it harder to predict how strong the effects would be.

People who had taken the drugs could collapse, foam at the mouth or experience temporary paralysis.

Effects could be made worse if used with alcohol or other drugs or medications, if a person was unwell or was experiencing mental distress.

The Drug Foundation’s executive director, Sarah Helm, said synthetic cannabinoids could be deadly, and warned the drug had caused a number of fatalities.

“We lost over 117 New Zealanders to synthetic cannabinoids in about 2017. They have been around on and off ever since.”

117 deaths since 2017

Helm said they tend to be used by people who were facing challenges, such as mental health or experiencing homelessness.

She said the number of hospitalisations was really concerning.

“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.”

Helm said the signs to look out for were loss of consciousness, having seizures, chest pains, or being very agitated.

Synthetic drugs were usually described as white, off-white or yellow/brown powders that were dissolved and sprayed on to dehydrated plant material and smoked, High Alert said, and there was often a chemical smell that was noticeably different from cannabis.

Anyone who did choose to use synthetic drugs should make sure not to be alone and test a small amount first to see how it affected them.

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.

-RNZ

Where to get help:
• 0800 METH HELP (0800 6384 4357)
• Alcohol Drug Helpline (Phone 0800 787 797 or text 8681)
• They also have a Māori line on 0800 787 798 and a Pasifika line on 0800 787 799
• How to stay safer if you're using drugs: The Level
• Where to get your drugs checked: Drug checking clinics