In the statement, Ministry of Health group manager addiction Richard Taylor said both the Ministry of Health and Police were taking a health approach to drug harm, working with local communities to reduce it. “In Waitara, a community-focused alcohol and other drug treatment service has been running since July 2020, providing treatment, actively engaging with whānau, and working with key community agencies to provide support for people affected by harmful drug use,” he said. High Alert said people suffering side effects from the drug may collapse or drop, foam at the mouth, or experience temporary paralysis. The effects are often worse if taken at the same time as alcohol and other drugs, if a person is unwell, or experiencing mental distress.