June and July saw 13 people hospitalised from fentanyl overdoses. Those folk were sold what they were told was cocaine, and in at least one case, methamphetamine; but their substance turned out to be fentanyl bulked out with fillers. They were all given Naloxone on the way to hospital and were revived after falling unconsciousContinue reading “Naloxone saves lives, so where is it?”
Category Archives: Advocacy
Yet another synthetic cannabinoid – Aotearoa’s first finding of MDMB-5Br-INACA
We sometimes call them MWP – mystery white powders. This sample was brought to us in the central North Island as “MDMA” but someone who took it reported extreme and rapid anxiety. That doesn’t sound like MDMA. Testing indicates that this MWP isn’t a mystery any more. This one is MDMB-5Br-INACA. What the hell isContinue reading “Yet another synthetic cannabinoid – Aotearoa’s first finding of MDMB-5Br-INACA”
Fentanyl 101
So fentanyl’s popped up again. 12 people were hospitalised after taking what they thought was either cocaine or methamphetamine, but it turns out to have been fentanyl. We first found it in 2018, but we haven’t seen it again up until the weekend. Read our 2018 notification There’s a lot of misinformation about fentanyl flyingContinue reading “Fentanyl 101”
Roadside drug testing: Not even once
The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment legislation was passed this month. This means that, among other things, police will be able to pull drivers over and test their saliva for THC, opiates, amphetamines, and other drugs in the same manner that they test for alcohol. Apparently this measure will reduce the number of people drivingContinue reading “Roadside drug testing: Not even once”
Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Bill passes into law
Volunteer drug checking organisation KnowYourStuffNZ welcomes the news that drug checking will become permanently legal, with the passing of the Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Bill through its third reading. Aotearoa New Zealand is the first country in the world to have explicitly legal drug checking. “The Act will provide permanent legal standing for ourContinue reading “Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Bill passes into law”