There's a concern many people may not fully understand the risk of recreationally using pharmaceuticals. 

The 2024 New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey of more than 10,000 people shows more than a quarter of respondents use the drugs for non-medical reasons. 

It's also found a quarter of recent psychedelics users did so for therapeutic purposes. 

Author Chris Wilkins told Heather du Plessis-Allan many people believe, just because the drugs are pharmaceutical, it means there's a lower risk. 

He says many are similar to illegal drugs and are particularly more risky if mixed. 

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