A supply of MDMA. (file pic)
Photo: 123RF
The drug-checking agency, Know Your Stuff, said testers had seen a big jump in the amount of eutylone masquerading as MDMA this year.
At least two people, including one having seizures, needed emergency medical treatment.
Spokesperson Jez Weston warned that eutylone could cause vomiting, psychosis, convulsions and even death.
He said it was impossible to tell the difference between the drugs by sight or smell alone, and no one should take a drug without testing it. We know that Covid has affected global supply chains for all sorts of different products and MDMA is just the same.
Covid-19 blamed for lethal substitutes to MDMA in New Zealand market tvnz.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tvnz.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Wellingtonians warned harmful substances in party drugs well-distributed across NZ
30 Dec, 2020 04:00 PM
3 minutes to read
NZ Herald
Party-goers in the capital are being urged to take extra care over New Year, with an increased amount of harmful substances found in party drugs during pill testing at festivals.
A number of posts were made to Wellington-based Facebook page Vic Deals, warning people about harmful substances in the party drug MDMA.
Volunteer organisation Know Your Stuff NZ has been testing drugs at New Year s festivals throughout the week.
The drug-related harm-reduction service said on Wednesday that more than half of samples it tested had included dangerous stimulants from the cathinones family, most commonly eutylone.
New Year s Eve: All you need to know to ring in the new year
30 Dec, 2020 04:00 PM
5 minutes to read
What s on
Skycity fireworks and Vector lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge:
A five-minute fireworks and light show will kick off at midnight. The moment will also be broadcast on TVNZ 1, 2 and Duke. The best places to view the light show are the waterfront, Devonport, Herne Bay, Te Atatū Peninsula, Bastion Pt, Northcote and Mt Eden and Bayswater Marina.
Before the fireworks, head to the America s Cup Village to celebrate with free entertainment from 2pm at Silo Park and from 5pm on Te Wero Island. The Britomart Block Party NYE Festival will also be taking place on Galway St and Britomart Square, 7pm–4am.
File photo.
Photo: 123RF
Know Your Stuff deputy manager Jez Weston says there has been an increase in synthetic cathinone, also known as bath salts, being mis-sold as MDMA. Initially they feel a bit like MDMA, there s a bit of euphoria but that wears off in about an hour, leaving people just stimulated and agitated and tempted to take more, Weston said.
If people did re-dose, they could struggle to sleep for 24 to 48 hours, have head aches, stomach upsets, confusion and seizures, he said.
But if they were going to use drugs regardless, he urged them to get them checked by his organisation.