How Dunedin became the MDMA capital of NZ

By Baz Macdonald

"In Dunedin it is like, how many bongs can you smoke? How much piss can you drink? And then there is how much gear you can take."

Every three months the NZ Police release a map showing the ratio of drugs found through wastewater testing across NZ. In most of the country meth dominates, except for down south in Dunedin where in 2020 95% of drugs found were MDMA.

Almost a quarter of MDMA samples tested last year by drug checking organisation Know Your Stuff were actually synthetic cathinones, commonly known as bath salts.

Baz Macdonald took a trip down south to investigate just how prevalent the drug is amongst breathers and students alike.

Where to get help:

  • Alcohol Drug Helpline: call 0800 787 797 or free text 8681 for a free, confidential text conversation
  • Alcohol Drug Māori Helpline: 0800 787 798 for advice and referral to kaupapa Māori services
  • Alcohol Drug Pasifika Helpline: 0800 787 799 for advice and referral to services developed for Pacific people

Alcohol Drug Youth Helpline: 0800 787 984 for advice and referral to services for young people

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