Emily Holkenbrink is taking a stand against the synthetic
cannabis product K2, which she blames for a manic episode
she had last month. Photo by Craig Baxter.
A Dunedin teen is warning others against the dangers of
the synthetic cannabis product K2, which she blames for a manic
episode in which she battered and bruised her own face.
"I was doing crazy things, and that was just not like me ...
I am normally happy and chilled," Emily Holkenbrink (18)
said.
She said she had been smoking the product for the past year,
and had developed a 6g-a-day habit, costing her $17-$20 a
day.
However, she said she had quit her legal high habit after a
manic episode last month which resulted in her spending time
in an isolation ward at a psychiatric hospital.
"I was possessed by a demon ... I did not know what was
happening. I started screaming so loudly that I did not even
recognise my own voice."
She said that incident was the result of her K2 habit, which
left her feeling agitated and aggressive. She had even
punched herself in the face.
She contacted the Otago Daily Times after reading about the
growing concern over the product and its effect on young
people.
"Everyone I know is doing this ... and I don't care if all my
friends hate me for talking about it, but I want this stuff
off the market because I care enough for my friends to want
this stuff gone."
She had spent thousands of dollars on synthetic cannabis,
such as Kronic and Tai High, but it was the still-legal K2
that was causing her friends the biggest problems.
"People are having nightmares about killing their friends and
family ... this is is horrendous stuff."
She had sold most of her possessions to buy synthetic
cannabis.
She said the age-restricted product was readily available at
many city dairies, some of which sold K2 to under-18s without
asking for identification. She knew of 13-year-olds who could
source the products.
Last week, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said he was
concerned by reports in the lower South Island about K2, and
the Ministry of Health was working with police to test K2.
To date, 28 substances have been placed under temporary class
drug notices, effectively removing more than 50 synthetic
cannabis products from the market.
Legislation would be introduced in Parliament before the end
of this year to reverse the onus of proof so synthetic
cannabis manufacturers would have to prove their products
were safe through rigorous testing regimes at their own cost.
That change could not come soon enough for Miss Holkenbrink,
who said since giving up the product she had lost 10kg, her
skin was clearing up and she was feeling excited about the
future, including the possibility of studying at polytechnic.
"I feel amazing. I can't even explain how life is now."
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