In response, authorities, including police and customs, have been closely monitoring incidences of illicit fentanyl importation and overdoses. GETTY IMAGES In order to get a better picture of fentanyl use in NZ, police are establishing base data through wastewater testing. In 2016, there were 155 opiate seizures at the border, but only 5 per cent of these involved fentanyl. This testing shows fentanyl consumption averages less than 3 grams per week across the country. This type of testing also made it hard to know the concentration of fentanyl used, as some fentanyl was extremely potent, so even very small doses were significant, Wilkins said.

Source: Stuff May 19, 2019 21:11 UTC