New hallucinogenic drug led to man's bizarre death

A new drug causing bizarre and irrational behavior has emerged in South Australia, and has led to the death of a man who killed himself by repeatedly running into trees and power poles. The two drug types - known as 25B-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe - were responsible for the death of a man in the Mid North in March, who died from injuries sustained after running into fixed objects, trees and power poles as a result of an overdose.

In the past 11 days, there were two non-fatal overdoses - also in the mid-north of the state - in young adults who were related to each other. Drug Investigation Branch Acting Detective Superintendent Derryn Phillips said the relatively new drug was believed to be made in China and bought over the internet. She said its long and short-term health issues, and its presence interstate, were unknown.

The drug is a derivative of potent hallucinogens, 2CB and 2CI, both banned substances in South Australia. They are marketed similar to LSD. "The effects of these drugs causes bizarre and irrational behaviour, paranoia, fear and confusion. Other effects include increased body temperature, sweats and seizures," she said.

"Overdose on these drugs is a reality... and can obviously result in dire consequences." Acting Det Supt Phillips said users of the drug were setting themselves up as guinea pigs and often tended to double dose or redose if the effects of the drug were not felt immediately. She said there was nothing to suggest the drugs were isolated in the Mid North.