• DPMC Moderators: thegreenhand | tryptakid
  • Drug Policy & Media Coverage Welcome Guest
    View threads about
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Drug Busts Megathread Video Megathread

Auckland police investigate ninth death linked to synthetic cannabis (NZ)

androoo

Bluelighter
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
2,007
Auckland police investigate ninth death linked to synthetic cannabis

In July alone, synthetic cannabis has been blamed for a spate of Auckland deaths.
STUFF

In July alone, synthetic cannabis has been blamed for a spate of Auckland deaths.

A 31-year-old woman found dead at a west Auckland address was believed to have been smoking synthetic cannabis, police say.

Her death, in the suburb of Kelston, is the ninth thought to have been linked to synthetic cannabis use in Auckland in the past month.

Emergency departments around the region said they had seen a spike in patients who had used the psychoactive substance.
Auckland teenager Devonte Pierce died earlier in July. Police believe his death may also have been linked to synthetic ...
SUPPLIED

Auckland teenager Devonte Pierce died earlier in July. Police believe his death may also have been linked to synthetic cannabis use.

Many were suffering hallucinations and seizures leading to cardiac arrest.

READ MORE:
* Large synthetic cannabis busts
* 'More people are going to die' from drug
* Explainer: what is synthetic cannabis?

Acting Detective Inspector Peter Florence said the public could be assured police were taking synthetic cannabis harm "very seriously".

"We are doing everything we can to get synthetic cannabis off our streets.

"Police officers across the country are conducting search warrants and seizing synthetic cannabis and we are continuing to put suppliers and manufacturers before the courts."

On Thursday, police arrested two people in St Lukes who had up to three kilograms of the illegal drug.

They had been charged with possession for supply, he said.

Earlier this week police also seized 50 bags of the drug from a Ranui address in west Auckland while another operation in Avondale resulted in 12 arrests.

Although the Kelston woman may have been smoking synthetic cannabis a short time before her death, there may have been other contributing factors, police said.

The matter has been referred to the Coroner who will ultimately determine the cause of death.

Earlier in July Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall issued a health warning over escalating synthetic cannabis harm.

"I've also been advised by St John that there have been a significant number of non-fatal cases where people have been hospitalised after using the drug, which is known to cause potentially fatal seizures," she said.

"While the police and coronial investigations are still at an early stage, and the final causes of death have yet to be established, the number of cases where synthetic cannabis appear to have been a contributing factor has prompted me to issue this public warning."

People can contact their local police station with information about synthetic cannabis sale or they can provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"This is causing harm to our community, and we urge those smoking synthetic cannabis to stop immediately and seek help," Detective Inspector Florence said.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/95225287/auckland-police-investigate-ninth-synthetic-cannabis-death
 
All the more reason to legalize the real thing. Nobody ever died from smoking cannabis.
 
What chemical is being used that's causing the deaths though? I haven't tried synthetic cannabis for quite a few years, wouldn't touch it with a bargepole now tho.
 
As far as i'm aware that stuff hasn't been around for years.
The synth 'noids are constantly evolving, and with each new active ingredient, the risks seem to be increasing as well. The early ones seemed a lot safer (but still dangerous).

There's not much point in speculating which RC cannabinomimetic caused this; "herbal" smoking blends are simply best avoided.
They've been responsible for many deaths around the world, as well as causing other life threatening problems such as strokes.

It really is a sad state of affairs, considering how safe cannabis is.

Prohibition kills.
 
Top