Pubdate: Tue, 29 Apr 2014
Source: Hawke's Bay Today (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 APN News & Media Ltd
Contact:  http://hbtoday.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2947
Authors: Sam Hurley, Lydia Anderson
Cited: NZ Drug Foundation: https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/

FLOOD OF ADDICTS NEEDING HELP EXPECTED

Hawke's Bay psychiatric and addiction services are being urged to 
prepare for an influx of people dealing with intense synthetic 
cannabis withdrawals.

Experts have warned stockpiling, fire sales and an added burden on 
health services may occur when all synthetic cannabis products are 
withdrawn from sale within a fortnight.

In a Government policy reversal, Associate Health Minister Peter 
Dunne said on Sunday all legal high products would be banned until 
they could be proven "low-risk", with a law change to be introduced 
under urgency to Parliament next week.

Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers, a staunch leader against legal 
highs, was pleased about the ban but said "it has taken too long".

"Common sense has prevailed ... Clearly Labour were going to announce 
their policy on the issue and it put some pressure on the Government, 
but I think the pressure from local leaders and communities, the 
power of the people. That really was so strong the Government 
couldn't possibly ignore us."

She described the news of the blanket ban as a relief and said there 
was an "element of satisfaction", knowing the Bay had played a large 
part in the war against legal highs.

Hastings Mayor and Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence 
Yule said addicts could stockpile and withdrawal problems might 
become apparent as supplies ran out.

"If [an addict's] life has been ruined by psychoactive substances, 
then they could look at this as an opportunity to get themselves off 
it with the proper support, and that could be a life-changing 
experience," Mr Yule said.

District health boards and drug rehabilitation agencies had a 
responsibility to support addicts, he said.

Adult Selections Napier, the last remaining legal high retailer in 
Hawke's Bay, did not wish to comment yesterday, while Discretions 
store owner and former stockist Gordon Arcus could not be reached.

St John Hawke's Bay district operations manager Stephen Smith said an 
increase in emergency call-outs involving legal highs had been seen 
in the past 6-12 months. "We have been involved in serious incidents 
where the use of these substances has led to irrational behaviour, 
seizures and cardiac arrest.

"People under the influence of legal highs are frequently violent, 
anxious and experience rapid heartbeat and other concerning symptoms."

Drug Foundation chief Ross Bell said a ban would have negative 
consequences, warning of fire sales, stockpiling and 
over-consumption, while National Poisons Centre toxicologist Leo 
Schep said psychiatric and addiction services needed to prepare for 
an influx of people with legal high withdrawal symptoms.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key admitted the Government had made a 
mistake leaving 41 synthetic products on the market, after passing 
the Psychoactive Substances Act last July.

He also admitted a black market was likely to develop.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom