The "next big problem" to hit New Zealand over drug abuse will be methamphetamine-based pills, a drug rehabilitation and awareness expert has warned.
Director of drug education consultancy Methcon Group, Dale Kirk, told TV ONE's Breakfast today that the pills are already starting to filter into the country.
"I think this is the next big problem in New Zealand," he said.
"We do have a pill taking culture here, and we are seeing that with ecstasy and those types of drugs. It's just as addictive as if it's in its powder or crystal form.
"People are putting things in their body - without actually knowing what is inside the pill."
Kirk said that even though there was a move away from P usage, particularly for use as a "party drug," people were still becoming addicted.
"We are also seeing an increase in Clan labs which have been manufacturing other synthetic drugs such as MDMA, GBL and 4-MEC.
"I don't want to be the Grinch, but I also think we should stop patting ourselves on the back because we have also seen an increase in the amount of meth labs found in the last 12 months," Kirk told Breakfast.
Kirk said that there need to be more resources placed into advertising to make people more aware of the dangers of drug use in general.