A Northland addiction expert says people experiencing problems withdrawing from psychoactive substances should seek help, with the region's health services already seeing some people having issues since the so-called legal highs were banned a week ago.
Parliament passed an emergency law change last Tuesday which saw psychoactive substances, also known as legal highs, made illegal and pulled off shop shelves last Thursday.
Northland District Health Board Mental Health and Addictions Services clinician Alistair Dunn said the impact on addicts from drug withdrawal was hard to predict and users would need professional help to cope.
The DHB had been providing support to the region's GPs and emergency departments who have seen people coming in asking for help.
"We are responding to calls from GPs and ED as required, it is too early to give specific numbers," Dr Dunn said.