Health Minister David Clark said: "Any death as a result of drug use is a tragedy, and my sympathies go to friends and family."

Health Minister Dr David Clark wants synthetic cannabis reclassified to a Class A drug, alongside heroin and cocaine, so police can "go after the peddlers [and] interrupt the supply of them into the community".

His plea follows the death of a Christchurch man on Monday, believed to have died as a result of synthetic cannabis use, while 19 people were admitted to hospital in two weeks.

A decision on reclassification would be taken in the coming weeks, but Clark wanted to reassure New Zealanders the Government was taking the matter seriously.

STACY SQUIRES/STUFF A total of 19 people were admitted to Christchurch Hospital after using synthetic drugs in the two weeks to October 4, 2018.

"These drugs are killing people. We have health, police, customs and corrections all working closely on this," Clark said.

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"We are talking to service providers and drug users to identify areas of need and how we can reduce harm. We are also focusing in on community based initiatives, such as those operating in Porirua and the Far North that may be expanded."

GEORGE HEARD/STUFF Ten people were admitted to Christchurch hospital in September after smoking synthetic cannabis.

It's important to acknowledge that reclassification is not a silver bullet. We need to treat drug abuse, including synthetic cannabis, as a health issue, he said.

* Have you been adversely affected by synthetic cannabis? newstips@stuff.co.nz

Earlier, a St John spokesman confirmed authorities were investigating the death, which was suspected to be synthetic drug-related.

CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF Up to 19 people have been admitted to Christchurch Hospital from synthetic drug in the past two weeks. (File photo)

A police spokeswoman said officers assisted ambulance staff when the man was found unconscious on the footpath on Mairehau Rd about 7.30pm on October 1.

"The death has been referred to the Coroner, who will ultimately rule on the cause of death," the spokeswoman said.

The death comes after the Canterbury District Health Board's warning on September 21, when 10 people were admitted to Christchurch Hospital in a 48-hour period.

A Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman confirmed on Wednesday a further nine people had since been admitted to hospital, most were either unconscious or having seizures. Two remained in intensive care.

St John territory manager for Christchurch metro Craig Downing said on Wednesday there had been a "substantial" rise in the number of patients using synthetic drugs and the level of their aggression.

People using synthetic drugs were unpredictable and challenging to manage, he said.

"Our staff are getting exposed to patients who are acting out both physically and verbally."

Staff had to sedate some patients for their own safety and the safety of staff, he said.



"I'm extremely worried because we don't know, from one patient to the next, what's in this particular substance," he said.

"Our strong message is ... keep your hands off our ambos. They're not to be touched.

"We do our job because we care ... we're empathetic, we want to do the best we can, but that doesn't give anyone, irrespective of the case, a right to touch our staff."

Detective Inspector Greg Murton said people using the drug were taking chances with their lives.

He could not comment on the number of deaths related to synthetic drugs because the death or deaths were still before the Coroner.

Christchurch Hospital emergency specialist Dr Mark Gilbert earlier said the patients were from all over the city.

There was no safe level of the drug to smoke, Gilbert said. There seemed to be a "bad batch" in Christchurch.

"There's no doubt that if you're smoking this stuff you're gambling with your life.

"It destroys people's lives. They're unable to function at work, they're spending all their money on feeding their addiction so it essentially ruins their life."

Toxicology analysis identified the substance taken by the earlier patients as either AMB-FUBINACA or AB-FUBINACA.

AMB-FUBINACA has been linked to several deaths in the North Island during the past year.

Health Minister David Clark earlier said a review of the Psychoactive Substances Act was under "active consideration", and would be tabled in Parliament within weeks.

"One of the first things we did when we formed the Coalition Government was establish the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, a powerful and broad inquiry that is looking directly at the problem of addiction and access to drugs like synthetic cannabis."

A decision on the possible reclassification of two synthetic cannabinoids as Class A controlled drugs would be taken in coming weeks, Clark said.

Reclassification under the Misuse of Drugs Act would give police broader search and seizure powers.

"It's important to acknowledge that reclassification is not a silver bullet. We need to treat drug abuse, including synthetic cannabis, as a health issue. That's why the Ministers of Health, Justice, Police and Customs are working together on this issue – to find real solutions."