The death of a man in Christchurch and two "serious incidents" in Queenstown have prompted warnings to drug users from police.
Detective Senior Sergeant Malcolm Inglis said police were investigating the sudden death of a 20-year-old in Christchurch early on September 4.
"Early indications are his death may relate to a potential drug overdose and enquiries into this are ongoing."
He said police had today arrested and charged two people, a man and a woman, both aged 33, with possession for supply of a Class B drug.
They are expected to appear in the Christchurch District Court tomorrow. Other charges were possible, he said.
Police had also learned of incidents in Queenstown over the weekend involving security guards helping two people who had seizures after reportedly taking MDMA.
Det Snr Sgt Inglis said the people didn’t require medical treatment, "but these incidents could have ended very differently".
He said drug users should take extreme care "as what they think they may taking may in fact be a completely different drug or substance".
"The best thing people can do to prevent any risk, is not to take illicit drugs."
He said police were issuing the warning as there was a music festival in Queenstown from tomorrow until Sunday, and "we don’t want to see anyone becoming sick or worse".
* If you or someone you know experience concerning or unexpected effects after taking something, please report it to High Alert, New Zealand’s drug early warning system, at highalert.org.nz
