Fresh charges of corruption and bribery have been laid against former police officer Peter Pakau, who is alleged to have organised drug runs and tipped of gangsters.

A charity set up to combat methamphetamine use and fronted by the Sir Paul Holmes before he died has stopped operating after failing to raise enough funds.

Recreational steroid use by New Zealanders has been described as a "huge elephant in the room" by a leading voice in the fight against doping.

Fred was in his mid-20s when a car accident on a busy Auckland road left him with serious injuries that would require months of rehabilitation.

Kris McKenzie loved his puppy, Oden. One day, inexplicably, Kris flew into a rage, grabbed Oden and threw him into a wall.

A student drug dealer who was "given a chance" by a judge is on the run after more than $100,000 was found in his wardrobe.

Legal highs must be banned sooner rather than later, says a Coroner who ruled on the deaths of two young men who both died shortly after taking K2 and party pills.

Dion Chammey first tried synthetic cannabis a couple of years ago for recreation, but after a traumatic event it became an ingrained part of his lifestyle and almost impossible to kick, he says.

Synthetic drug users are holding up worthy emergency cases in hospital emergency departments across the country, a senior doctor says.

Troubled Wallabies star Kurtley Beale admitted he thought long and hard about sitting out the showpiece Lions test series to focus on overcoming his alcohol problems.

Party pills will be removed from many dairies and grocery stores earlier than expected after a Lotteries Commission crackdown.

New Zealand Lotteries has demanded that 600 retailers stop selling party pills and synthetic cannabis alongside Lotto products.

NSW is leading the charge against synthetic drugs after Sydney teenager Henry Kwan fell to his death from the balcony of his home after taking a synthetic version of LSD.

An alleged international drug supplier tried to argue his extradition from Europe was illegal in a bid to have the case against him thrown out.

Police officer Peter Pakau, who is on bail while facing serious drugs charges, has resigned, Waitemata police have confirmed.

A drug and alcohol educator says P-making chemicals are often stored in food and drink containers, within reach of unsuspecting children.

The cop charged with organising drug runs for a methamphetamine ring and using the police computer system to tip off his gang colleagues has been granted bail.

Dunne says internet sales from overseas sites will be banned but sales from local sites will be permitted. The buyer's age will be checked from credit card details, as already occurs on lottery and gaming sites.

Dairies, service stations and grocery stores will automatically be banned from selling synthetic cannabis and other legal highs from as early as July.

Legal high pioneer Matt Bowden has hinted he may return to the industry once the Government makes changes to legislation to make it safer.

An Auckland grandfather was two-and-a-half times over the legal alcohol limit when he let his 7-year-old grandson drive his car - a situation police say is becoming more common.

The Green Party will increase pressure on the Government to rule out testing of synthetic drugs on animals by holdings its own hearings today.

Residents of a Tauranga suburb are boycotting their local dairy to protest the sale of legal highs in their area.

The wife of a policeman charged over his alleged role in a methamphetamine ring spoke yesterday about the effect the case is having on their family.