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.

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.

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.

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.

Michael Jackson appeared "a little loopy" after visits with his longtime dermatologist, a choreographer who worked one-on-one with the pop superstar told a jury Tuesday.

A Masterton man who terrified his mother and threatened police with a Japanese samurai-style sword told presiding Judge Tom Broadmore yesterday in the Masterton District Court that K2 synthetic cannabis "twisted my mind".

Gary Read has lived the high life, but now awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Class A drug charges.

Staff at a synthetic cannabis store cowered behind a counter as hundreds of people gathered outside to protest the sale of legal highs.

Staff at a synthetic cannabis store cowered behind a counter as hundreds of people gathered outside to protest the sale of legal highs

A central Auckland dairy owner who used to sell legal highs is now so convinced of their danger that he has banned them from his store and actively warns customers who ask for them.

A reformulated version of K2 is already appearing on dairy shelves, a day after the older version of the synthetic cannabis product had to be pulled from sale.

A nationwide police crackdown on synthetic cannabis products begins today amid growing evidence of health problems and crimes linked to use of "legal highs".