After a series of drug-related deaths in Auckland, the Wellington region has now seen its first fatality linked to synthetics.
The latest death has led to calls for urgent action over the spread of synthetic drugs.
"Every batch of synthetic drugs is harmful and that is that is the message that we need to get out there, that people are taking a risk with their lives," Inspector Tracey Thompson said.
As well as the death of a 36-year-old Hutt valley man last night, recently 11 people were also seen at Wellington hospital suffering from psychoactive substances with five still believed to be in intensive care.
Porirua locals told 1 NEWS they've seen the substance tightening its grip on the community.
"I've only noticed it in the past three or four months it's actually become a bit of a problem. Like yesterday, when I saw one of the guys actually having a seizure and stuff," Porirua resident Chris Rigby said.
Former Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, who oversaw the response to the synthetic drug crisis in Auckland in July, says the situation requires strong collaboration.
"In the Auckland case we have the coroner's office, we had the DHB, we had sharing of information and in the end after a pretty rough start we got on top of it," Mr Dunne said.
Police say they're relentlessly pursuing drug manufacturers and suppliers.
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