Deadly new dope hits homeless
Matthew Theunissen goes in search of synthetic drug users on Auckland streets.
On central Auckland’s Victoria St yesterday, it did not take long to find users of a deadly dope poisoning the city’s homeless.
“It’s really, really super strong and it’s killing a few people out here,” said one homeless man.
“I’ve seen them fish dancing on the ground, like fish without water, it’s crazy.”
The man said he had such a seizure on Thursday.
“I never, ever want to experience it again. You’re just in a blackout and it’s just like you’re in another dimension, in another world, and when you wake up you wouldn’t even know what happened.”
Seven people have died in the past month after using a form of synthetic cannabis. Ambulance staff see up to 20 users a day suffering its lifethreatening effects.
An Auckland District Health Board spokeswoman said “numerous” people were admitted on Friday night and Saturday morning as a result of the drug.
Auckland City Mission also reported a spike in aggressive behaviour and admissions to its detox unit in the past few months.
“We’re definitely seeing an increase in aggression and violent behaviour, that’s probably what’s most evident to us,” Auckland City Mission chief executive Chris Farrelly said.
This included clients the mission had otherwise known as quiet and non-aggressive.
“We suspect it’s been laced with other stuff; other very, very damaging stuff.”
And it was very difficult to detox someone off an unknown substance.
A group sitting outside a supermarket were trying to get enough money together to score.
“I just get it from dealers . . . [they’re] all over the place,” said a man called Gordon.
The drug came in little zip-lock bags and generally cost about $20 for two or three joints worth.
“It helps me help have a good sleep, eh, when I’m trying to stay warm.”
He used to smoke cannabis but had recently changed to synthetics.
“You can still buy [cannabis] I suppose but I find this is better . . . better wastage off it.”
He’d been arrested because of his behaviour while high on the drug and regularly saw others having seizures.
Another woman, Puawai, said many of those she knew used it every day.
“They find that synthetic was a cheaper buzz. [They get] real intoxicated looks and actions.”
Another woman begging for money on Queen St, who said she did not use synthetics but was an alcoholic, was very angry to see the harm the drug was causing.
“I’ve actually seen people go down on the streets doing the funky chicken, that’s what I call it,” she said.
“It depends on whether or not the people can handle it and if they can’t, they just drop.”
The drug had only started circulating recently and people were buying it instead of other drugs.
The recent deaths have prompted police and the chief coroner to issue a public warning about synthetic cannabis.