Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jun 2014
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550
Author: Ben Heather and Laura Walters
Page: A1

WARNING AS NEW LEGAL HIGHS HIT SHELVES

A POISONS expert has warned of risks to users' health from new legal
highs that have appeared to replace synthetic cannabis.

Legal highs brand Tai High has introduced a new "non-psychoactive"
smoking blend, claiming to be free of cannabinoids, nicotine and tobacco.

The warning comes as information provided to The Dominion Post under
the Official Information Act shows girls as young as 13 were left
unconscious after smoking synthetic cannabis in the final months
before the drugs were banned.

National Poisons Centre reports reveal that users described "black
vomit", suicidal thoughts and blacking out repeatedly after smoking
the substances.

Doctors and paramedics sought advice from the centre on handling the
drugs, with one call from ambulance staff asking whether a 13-year-old
who had passed out at school needed to be admitted to hospital.

In another case, a woman showed up at a medical centre, saying she
felt unwell after her son mixed synthetic cannabis with her fizzy
drink, the reports show.

All suppliers of psychoactive substances had their licences pulled
last month, less than a year after the Government set up the world's
first regulated market for synthetic highs.

The withdrawal of licences came after growing public concern about the
damaging impact of the drugs. Although the ban was welcomed by many,
others said it would simply push the substances on to the black
market, or force users on to harder drugs.

Figures show that, in the six months before the ban was introduced,
the poison centre received 153 calls from people saying they suffered
bad effects from synthetic cannabis.

The most common reports were of repeated vomiting, unconsciousness and
stomach pains. Many reported feeling ill while trying to quit the
drugs, with the number rising as the ban loomed.

Ill-effects, including vomiting for hours, were reported from
synthetic cannabis brands that were legal until last month and had
been deemed "low risk" by the Ministry of Health.

The new substances introduced by Tai High contain Turnera diffusa, or
damiana, the herbal base used in synthetic cannabis but without the
psychoactive component. The ministry's legal high regulatory body did
not classify the plant material as a psychoactive substance but as a
herbal smoking product, Psychoactive Substances Regulatory Authority
manager Donald Hannah said.

However, a National Poisons Centre spokeswoman said such products were
notorious for being contaminated with illegal substances.

According to the information provided by the manufacturer, the new
legal highs did not contain any psychoactive components or anything
illegal, she said. "But watch this space."

Damiana had been known to have properties of its own, she
said.

According to Tai High's website, damiana leaves were used as an
aphrodisiac and had been used for sexual stimulation, increased
energy, and treating asthma, depression, impotence and menstrual problems.

Tai High also said that when the plant material was drunk as a tea it
had a relaxing effect similar to low doses of cannabis.

The poisons officer said legal high manufacturers were notorious for
keeping actual ingredients secret and changing ingredients at the drop
of a hat.

"I'm sure there will be people plotting manipulation as we speak." Tai
High did not return calls. The ministry had predicted as many as 200
synthetic cannabis addicts would need help after the ban but addiction
services said they had not yet seen a rise in demand.

Jenny Boyle, the Salvation Army's operation manager for alcohol and
drug services, said roughly 10 per cent of its clients were recovering
from synthetic cannabis addiction. Demand had remained "static" but it
was too early to tell what effect the ban was having.

Police have charged three people with either possession or selling
synthetic cannabis since the ban was introduced.
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MAP posted-by: Matt