Given the remote location of New Zealand, it is difficult and expensive to smuggle drugs. Most of the drugs Kiwis use are manufactured locally but as of late, there are newly-made synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of illegal drugs usually smuggled in other countries.

Synthetic drugs have become increasingly widespread in the United States, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. A recent survey from the University of Michigan revealed that high school students use synthetic drugs second only to marijuana.

In the United States, recent deaths caused by synthetic or "club drug" overdose has alerted the Drug Enforcement Administration and federal lawmakers.

New Zealand has yet to receive reports of deaths caused by the new party drugs, but the authorities have already seen the effects of these new psychoactive substances, commonly referred to as "party pills".

Party pills are unregulated drugs which can be difficult to track. Reports said that no one knows what's inside the party pills, not even the manufacturer. Sources said that users in New Zealand purchase a small bag of discreet white powder or plant materials. Buyers of party pills believe there is only one kind but it can be any of the versions or they may turn out something different altogether.

New Zealand authorities have also received reports of the increasing number of teenagers and young adults admitted to emergency rooms due to the new synthetic drugs. New Zealand authorities are getting frustrated since it's difficult to find someone to blame for the harmful effects party pills are causing.

Regulating synthetic drugs

The New Zealand government has passed legislation to require manufacturers of synthetic drugs to submit their products to health and safety testing similar to pharmaceutical trials. If the tested synthetic drugs pass rigorous testing, producers will be allowed to sell them legally but still under regulations. They will not be sold to minors or advertised in any way.

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