Synthetic Cannabis
Police seize 3kg of synthetic cannabis in Canterbury raids
As part of two-month long investigation, police have searched several Christchurch properties targeting a synthetic cannabis ring.
Four deadly synthetic cannabinoids identified
New research on deaths related to synthetic cannabis shows there are sharp geographic differences in the specific compounds causing fatalities.
Synthetics NZ's deadliest recreational drug
70 Deaths in two years have been blamed on synthetic cannabis. Will making cannabis legal dampen demand for the synthetic drugs? Audio
Synthetic cannabis: More than 70 deaths in two years blamed on the drug
More than 70 people have died from synthetic cannabis toxicity in two years, and the drug has contributed to the deaths of many more, provisional coroners' figures show.
Coroner, family call for road-side drug testing
A family who lost three people in a horrific car crash almost exactly one-year ago say it's time for the government to stop dragging its feet on roadside drug testing. The family's call comes after… Audio
Coroner backs random roadside drug testing
The coroner investigating the deaths of seven people in a head on collision in Taranaki last year is backing calls for random roadside drug testing. Audio
Complex chemicals: The trouble with detecting synthetic drugs
Psychoactive substances have been banned in New Zealand for five years, but their illicit trade is booming. Why is it so hard to determine what's in them? Forensic toxicologist Diana Kappatos is with… Audio
Police look for source of 'bad batch' of synthetics
Ten people have been taken to Christchurch Hospital in the past 48 hours after smoking synthetic cannabis and as a result suffering seizures and heart attacks. Detective Inspector Greg Murton told… Audio
'We're human beings who have an illness'
Memorial services that educate people about drug addictions will be held at Salvation Army rehab centres around the country today to mark International Drug Overdose Awareness Day.
Maraenui's synthetic drug problem
The Napier suburb of Maraenui is in the grip of a synthetic cannabis crisis. Children as young as 11 are hooked on the drug, and there aren't many in the suburb unaffected by the problem. Audio
Synthetic drug deaths 'appalling' - Ross Bell
There has been a dramatic spike in the number of people dying from synthetic cannabis. Provisional figures from the coroner show between 40 and 45 people died in the year to June, compared to just two… Video, Audio
Synthetic drug-related death toll surges - coroner
Provisional coroners' figures show between 40 and 45 people are believed to have died from using synthetic cannabis in the last year. It's a huge jump considering In the previous five years there were… Audio
Huge jump in synthetic drug deaths - coroner
Provisional coroners' figures show between 40 and 45 people are believed to have died from using synthetic cannabis in the last year. It's a huge jump considering In the previous five years there were… Audio
Former PM Helen Clark opposes synthetic cannabis bill
Helen Clark says the bill, that would quadruple the maximum prison sentence for people supplying synthetic cannabis, reflects a failed war on drugs. Audio
What's Really in Synthetic Cannabis?
There have been eight deaths in Auckland related to synthetic cannabis use in just over a month. The latest was a 24-year-old Papakura man who became seriously ill after he was believed to have been… Audio
Govt 'not satisfied' with synthetic cannabis death handling
Police and the coroner's office should have told the government about the deaths linked to the drugs much sooner, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says. Audio
Synthetic cannabis addict: 'I'd use my money, my partner's ... I'd shoplift'
A father who had his three children taken off him while addicted to synthetics says he's not surprised they're killing people. Audio
Synthetic cannabis crisis: 'We need to be working together on this'
Police are being accused of failing to pass on crucial information about synthetic cannabis to those who are dealing with the drug at the coal face. Video
Akl CBD synthetic cannabis problem
Auckland businessman Greg Loveridge talks about feeling unsafe in the CBD because of synthetic cannabis users. Audio