How PHF Science responded to New Zealand's synthetic drug crisis

Between mid-2017–2022, New Zealand experienced a significant mass poisoning associated with the use of synthetic cannabinoids (Novel Psychoactive Substances, or NPS), resulting in 127 suspected deaths and a surge in non-fatal hospitalisations.  

What makes NPS particularly dangerous is how quickly those who manufacture them can alter their chemical makeup. Even minor changes to a drug's structure can dramatically increase its potency, triggering severe, toxicological harm.  

PHF Science responded to this NPS crisis by building a full ‘Border to Grave Drug Surveillance project’. It gave PHF scientists the capability to access and understand the entire drug–harm pathway – from border detection and police seizures through to criminal and coronial toxicology, including cases of drug-impaired driving. This comprehensive picture allowed PHF Science and its partners to maintain accurate and current intelligence on emerging NPS, underpinning the development of the national drug early warning system, High Alert.  

In partnership with Wellington Hospital's Emergency Department, PHF Science also created the USED (Unknown Substances in Emergency Departments) programme. USED identifies exactly which substances are causing harm to patients presenting to emergency departments, enabling earlier detection of poisoning outbreaks. Critically, this information is shared across hospitals and with toxicologists, helping clinicians understand how to treat patients and what outcomes to expect. 

Building on this work, PHF Science launched the IDEAS (Integrated Drugs Early Advisory System) platform. Delivering real‑time information on emerging NPS in New Zealand, then forwarding that information to organisations working to reduce drug harm nationwide and to support communities most at risk.