The Deadly Synthetic Drug Epidemic Killing New Zealanders

Inside the lives of West Aucklanders affected by the highly addictive and gravely dangerous synthetic cannabinoid drug known as “synnies”.

Up until 2014, the sale of synthetic cannabis in New Zealand was considered a global test case for legalized drugs. With the introduction of tighter controls the synthetics market has gone underground, and the harm to the community has spiraled. At least 25 people are believed to have died from synthetic drug use in 2017. VICE follows animal lover and former addict Tammara, 20, as she grapples with her recovery from the drug that has dominated her life for six years.

We also meet ex-user Trey whose best friend died after smoking synthetics aged just 17. Talking to family members, a former dealer, police, customs officers and an emergency medicine doctor/toxicologist, VICE investigates how and why this drug has become responsible for the deaths of New Zealanders in unprecedented numbers, revealing the raw reality of this under-reported crisis.

WATCH NEXT: Fentanyl, the Drug Deadlier than Heroin — https://vice.video/2CUci4F

Click here to subscribe to VICE: http://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE

Check out our full video catalog: http://bit.ly/VICE-Videos
Videos, daily editorial and more: http://vice.com
More videos from the VICE network: https://www.fb.com/vicevideo
Click here to get the best of VICE daily: http://bit.ly/1SquZ6v
Like VICE on Facebook: http://fb.com/vice
Follow VICE on Twitter: http://twitter.com/vice
Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/vice
Download VICE on iOS: http://apple.co/28Vgmqz
Download VICE on Android: http://bit.ly/28S8Et0

source