Police issue warning after rise in synthetic drug callouts

A rise in police callouts linked to synthetic drugs has sparked Rotorua police to warn locals they are dicing with death if they continue to use the dangerous drugs.

Police, St John Ambulance and Rotorua Hospital say they still dealing with people suffering from the effects of synthetic drugs despite public health warnings after deaths linked to the drugs this year.

Figures obtained by the Rotorua Daily Post show there had been 51 St John Ambulance callouts in the Rotorua and Taupo areas since October from people believed to have used synthetic drugs.

Rotorua area commander Inspector Anaru Pewhairangi said police were "extremely concerned" about the number of incidents they were being called to that appeared to be linked to synthetic drugs.

"Synthetic drugs can be extremely dangerous and users can experience severe health issues. People are putting their lives at serious risk by even trying these illicit products."

Pewhairangi said Rotorua police were focused on holding those who manufactured or supplied the drug to account. He said they were working closely with other government agencies such as district health boards, Ministry of Health, customs and coronial services to ensure the public was well informed about the dangers of taking this drug.

"Like with any drug, police cannot solve this problem alone and we need our community to tell us who is infecting our community with this drug."

But St John acting district operations manager for Central East Ross Clarke said the number of incidents appearing to involve synthetic drugs had dropped off nationally after a peak in July and August this year.

Since the beginning of October, St John had attended 51 incidents in the Lakes Territory - which included Rotorua, Reporoa, Murupara, Taupo, Turangi and Omori - which they believed had involved synthetic drugs.

"We urge people to think carefully before ingesting unknown substances. Patients under the influence of drugs that are thought to be synthetic exhibit grossly disturbed behaviour and can suffer seizures. Some drugs appear to have been linked to several sudden deaths this year."

People suffering from the effects of synthetic drugs were still being admitted to Rotorua Hospital, with one person taken to the emergency department in the past two weeks, said Lakes District Health Board spokeswoman Sue Wilkie.

A coroner has two deaths in Rotorua on file that are believed to be linked to synthetic drugs. One was in August, when a man was found dead at a house on Gifford Pl, and the second was in September when a man died in a van on Kiwi St.

A coronial services spokeswoman said those two deaths were still active cases but the coroner had to decide when and if inquests would be held.

How you can help
* Provide information to police about synthetic drug users, suppliers and manufacturers via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
* If anyone is using synthetic drugs, or they know someone who is, seek help by contacting their local GP or call the Alcohol and Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797.
* You can also text 8681 seven days a week to speak to a trained counsellor.