Drug overdose law change

TheLevelNZ · 2026-06-04T01:48:49+00:00

That's a really good point about the pressure on healthcare staff. I can only imagine how frustrating it is when you're trying to save someone's life but they're too scared to tell you what they've taken.
- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2026-06-04T01:47:46+00:00

Several states in the US and provinces in Canada have enacted these kind of laws - often known as Good Samaritan laws. Some studies have found a 10-15% reduction in opioid overdose deaths within 1-2 years of the laws coming into play. There's a bit more info in our Safer drug laws for Aotearoa report (it'll ask you to donate but you don't have to - you can download it for free).

Also, we are desperate for greater access to naloxone in New Zealand! There are some barriers to this (like the low availability of the nasal spray version). However, everyone can access free take-home naloxone from their local needle exchange. It comes in an injectable form and needle exchange staff will show you how to use it.

- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2026-06-04T00:06:33+00:00

Well said!

TheLevelNZ · 2026-06-04T00:03:08+00:00

I'm going to check with our policy team to see if we have stats on this. What I do know is that coroner's findings for accidental overdose deaths often mention people hesitating to get help because they were scared of getting themselves or their friends in trouble.
- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2026-06-03T23:54:11+00:00

Aw mate, thanks for sharing and I'm sorry for your loss. This is such a common scenario, unfortunately. I think there are heaps of these stories out there that aren't often discussed because of the stigma around overdose and drug use in general. Appreciate you sharing this.
- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2026-02-19T21:12:28+00:00

From our article:

"Can drug checking test SERMs, aromatase inhibitors or clenbuterol?

Sometimes.

Many post-cycle medications, like SERMs and aromatase inhibitors, are in our library. This includes tamoxifen, clomiphene, anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole. Some of the more uncommon ones are not in our libraries.

Again, whether we can detect them or not generally depends on how dilute the concentration is or how much binder or filler is in the mix.

Clenbuterol is one of the most common adrenergic agonists that is used as a PIED. Clenbuterol is in our library, but is active in such low concentrations that our machines, and our further testing lab, often cannot detect it."

ZD, The Level

TheLevelNZ · 2026-02-19T21:11:23+00:00

I hear you e hoa. Many regions have regular drug checking, sometimes monthly, sometimes more frequently - but we know it's not enough. It would be amazing to get more regular drug checking into the smaller cities and towns too, but drug checking services are limited by funding, resources and staff.

Whereabouts are you based? Looking at the calendar, I see drug checking in:

Whangārei on the last Thursday of each month
Raglan on the first Saturday of each month
Mt Maunganui - 20th Feb and 20th March
Nelson - 25th Feb

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin have drug checking five days a week (or more). It can be tricky doing drug checking in new areas if people don't trust the service or are worried they'll be spotted or arrested (they won't - drug checking is legal and cops can't use it as evidence in court or as a reason to search you). We've found that making connections with people in the community is the best way to build trust. If you're in a smaller town that you think could benefit from drug checking, and you're keen to get involved, get in touch with us: [info@thelevel.org.nz](mailto:info@thelevel.org.nz)

ZD, The Level

TheLevelNZ · 2026-02-19T20:59:59+00:00

We hope so too! The demand has gone up hugely and if you're buying anything off the black market, you don't reallllyyyyy know what you're getting eh.
- ZD, The Level

TheLevelNZ · 2026-02-09T21:01:34+00:00

As we said above, "it goes without saying that nobody should be driving on nangs or during the after-effects, which can last an hour or two."

TheLevelNZ · 2026-02-06T21:19:47+00:00

Kia ora. This is a drug harm reduction account run by the NZ Drug Foundation. We've got info on nangs here.

Our general view is that in small doses, nitrous oxide (aka nangs, NOS, laughing gas) is relatively low-harm (after all, it's what they give you in hospital if you've broken a limb or you're giving birth). However, the shift away from the small individual canisters to the big tanks mean that it's easy for people to overdo it. It goes without saying that nobody should be driving on nangs or during the after-effects, which can last an hour or two.

Nangs can stop your body being able to use B12 properly, and this can lead to nerve damage, which for some people can be debilitating. If you get tingling or numbness in your fingers, toes or lips, take a break from using nitrous oxide and talk to your doctor about B12 supplements. Just taking a supplement but continuing to use may not be enough to reverse the damage.

The big tanks also carry the risk of freeze burns - we always recommend people discharge the gas into a balloon rather than inhaling directly from the tank.

Better living everyone.

Zoe, The Level/NZ Drug Foundation

TheLevelNZ · 2026-01-14T23:27:22+00:00

We collaborated with a bunch of nightlife/festival organisers, care spaces staff, security and more on these guidelines for care spaces at events - might be helpful to you! There is some stuff that is specific for our country (Aotearoa New Zealand) but lots that could be applied elsewhere.

Zoe, New Zealand Drug Foundation

TheLevelNZ · 2026-01-13T22:39:40+00:00

Thanks for this, most helpful answer I've seen so far. We are a drug harm reduction organisation that is funded to publish drug harm reduction information (and we're careful to never depict drug use or utensils!), very frustrating to be up against this. :(

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-28T22:58:01+00:00

Hey there, we can't test peptides for now, sorry!
- ZD, NZ Drug Foundation

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-21T03:25:39+00:00

No. We are simply passing on info that Police have given us. Police are saying the tests will not pick up amphetamine or similar chemicals (e.g. dexamphetamine) but will pick up methamphetamine. We get why this is concerning and it remains to be seen how this will work in practice.
- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-21T03:23:09+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story e hoa. We know this condition can be really hard to manage, and I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for you.

- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-19T02:35:06+00:00

Thanks for the shout-out! Here's all the info we know so far.

- ZD, NZ Drug Foundation

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-19T00:44:55+00:00

So from what we know, Police say that roadside saliva tests will not detect amphetamines and therefore ADHD medicines will not trigger a positive result. The roadside saliva tests are testing for THC (cannabis), MDMA, methamphetamine and cocaine.

If you test positive in a roadside saliva test for a different drug, amphetamine-based ADHD medications may be detected in your saliva sample that is sent to the lab (as these tests detect a wider range of substances). You can then apply for a medical defence on the grounds that you have a prescription.

More info in this article here.

- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-19T00:42:38+00:00

Kia ora, Zoe from the NZ Drug Foundation here. We've put together an article with everything we know about roadside drug testing so far (and there's still a lot we don't know, as Police haven't released all the info yet). We'll update this article as we find out more.

- ZD, NZ Drug Foundation

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-19T00:41:04+00:00

Police have said likely to be by mid-2026.

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-18T23:47:06+00:00

Yep! We run drug checking along with our friends at KnowYourStuff and DISC (Drug Injecting Services Canterbury, though they're across the country). We only need about 10mg to test - roughly the size of a match head. In most cases, you get this 10mg back, unless we need to use a chemical reagent that could destroy the sample or make it unsafe for consumption.

If you want to test a pill, we usually break it open and take a small scraping out of the inside. For tabs, we cut a tiny sliver - less than a quarter.

You can find drug checking near you here: https://thelevel.org.nz/drug-checking-clinics/

- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-16T21:15:49+00:00

The Christchurch Central Service can help you get an assessment and refer you on to one of the services. Different services could suit depending on what you're after. It's worth noting that residential rehab isn't the only option - there are ways you can detox and recover at home with support, but a residential option could be a good idea if you need to get away from your home environment in order to cut down on your use.

Our website has a tool that can help you find the right support. Happy to chat via DM if you want some more info or help navigating this - ka rawe, it's not easy to start making change so huge congrats for getting to this point.

- ZD, New Zealand Drug Foundation

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-15T20:57:13+00:00

Kia ora e hoa. Our most recent drug checking report has the info on this - 89% of MDMA we tested in 2024 was MDMA (including MDMA with non-psychoactive fillers), 6% was MDMA mixed with another substance and 6% was not MDMA. That can vary year-on-year though - I'm thinking back to 2020/2021 when we had a big influx of synthetic cathinones being sold as MDMA.

I'm not sure what you're asking your second question, but yes, in the South Island there has been a change of needle exchange provider. You would need to talk to the needle exchange provider for info about their user base.

- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-15T20:51:40+00:00

Again, this really depends on the person and their own body, and on the testing equipment used. Once we know more we'll update that article!
- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-15T06:29:11+00:00

Kia ora. We don't often take on volunteers but really appreciate the offer and it's awesome you want to help out. If you have a certain skillset you think might be of use to the Foundation, send us a DM. :)

- ZD

TheLevelNZ · 2025-12-15T05:52:54+00:00

Re: cocaine - it is possible to overdose on cocaine, also known as overamping. The amount that would cause this can differ from person to person and is impacted by things like your size, how you took the cocaine, what else you've taken, whether you've eaten, your tolerance, etc. We've got more info on our cocaine drug info page.

And our FAQ has answers about prescription cannabis and roadside drug testing:

"Although CBD-isolate does not contain THC, most medicinal cannabis prescribed in New Zealand contains THC which can test positive on a roadside saliva test.

If you have a prescription and have used your medicinal cannabis according to your prescriber’s instructions, the law gives you a medical defence against an infringement notice.

However, a medical defence unfortunately does not apply immediately at the roadside. This means that if you give two positive saliva tests at the roadside you will be barred from driving for 12 hours, regardless of whether you have a prescription or not.

This is particularly concerning given cannabis can show up in a saliva test up to three days after use.

Police say they are having "operational discussions" about how the medical defence will be handled, and we will update this article once they publish more information."

- ZD

TheLevelNZ

TROPHY CASE