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Increasing number of Kiwis using cocaine, workplace testing reveals

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 19 Feb 2026, 8:37am
Photo / Getty Images
Photo / Getty Images

Increasing number of Kiwis using cocaine, workplace testing reveals

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 19 Feb 2026, 8:37am

New workplace testing results reveal cocaine detections have sharply risen across the country. 

The Drug Detection Agency's results for the three months to December show cocaine was present in 3.7% of positive tests – more than double the amount from last quarter. 

Bay of Plenty, Auckland West, and Waikato were identified as the regions with the sharpest rises. 

Chief Executive Glenn Dobson told Mike Hosking that New Zealand already has a strong use base of methamphetamine, and now they’re starting to see a real increase in cocaine usage, which is a real concern for them. 

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