Pubdate: Wed, 30 Apr 2014
Source: Taranaki Daily News (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Contact:  http://www.thedailynews.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1056
Author: Matt Rilkoff
Page: 2

BAN BRINGS FEARS OF UNINTENDED OUTCOMES

Taranaki health workers are bracing themselves for an increase in 
youth prostitution, alcohol abuse and experimental drug use in the 
wake of the ban on legal highs.

Currently legal, psychoactive substances will be yanked from the 
shelves within weeks following a Government U-turn on how to deal 
with synthetic highs.

Hailed by opponents as a victory for common sense, many fear the 
sudden change will bring unintended consequences.

Lynette West of the Young People's Trust in New Plymouth said the ban 
would see young synthetic cannabis users taking ever more drastic 
measures to meet their addiction to the products, especially 
synthetic cannabis.

"I took some off some kids the other day and they turned around and 
were having it off in the bushes behind The Mill to get some more. So 
they will always get it. Just with the ban it might be a little 
harder," she said.

Health institutions did not have the resources to either counsel 
people away from using the products or deal with those who would be 
forced to go "cold turkey" once easy access to synthetic cannabis 
dried up, West said.

"Agencies, like ourselves, we are under-resourced and badly 
understaffed, especially government agencies. As far as I know there 
are no youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres in Taranaki."

Alex Nash of New Plymouth's New Waves youth centre believed the ban 
was the right move but hoped the Government would put resources into 
dealing with the consequences of the decision.

"Kids will take drastic action to get more synthetic cannabis or they 
will use something else. They are quite inventive.

"They have started using cough syrup. They scull that and get a buzz. 
It's quite dangerous. They might just use something from around the 
house," she said.

While there were a number of people trained to deal with drug and 
alcohol addiction, Nash said no-one knew yet how many people may be 
affected negatively by the withdrawal of the products.

Pene Te Puni, of Maori health provider Tui Ora's alcohol and drug 
services, is expecting to see an influx of people when the ban comes 
into force.

"Some people will be attempting to stockpile the synthetic cannabis 
while they can access it but many, especially those in the lower 
socio-economic group, will not be in a position to do this and will 
likely go through "cold turkey" withdrawal when the product is 
withdrawn," she said.

Te Puni said the sudden withdrawal from the drug could bring about 
increased alcohol and/or other drug use and the associated harm from that.

Tui Ora had alcohol and drug counselling services in both North and 
South Taranaki to support people with social and psychological issues 
regarding withdrawing from legal highs. They could also offer 
practical advise regarding some of the physical side-effects people 
may experience.

"We would encourage that people make contact with our service sooner 
rather than later to plan withdrawal rather than wait until they are 
in crisis, in that situation we would have to refer on to emergency 
services," Te Puni said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom