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.

An increase in the number of patients showing up at emergency departments paranoid and agitated on synthetic cannabis is delaying the treatment of more worthy cases, says an emergency doctor.

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.

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.

Grandparents have spoken out at the anguish of their grandchildren being "orphaned" by methamphetamine.

Rebecca Barry Hill meets three women whose suffering taught them survival — and led them to success.

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.

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.

The manufacturer of the controversial synthetic cannabis product K2 has decided to stop supplying the drug in New Zealand until new regulations are imposed.

A cheerleader and model who was the "driving force'' behind a P syndicate has had three-and-a-half years shaved off her 10-year jail sentence.