Man sentenced for supplying drugs to woman who died of overdose | NZ Herald

A New Zealand man, Matthew Knox, has received a sentence of six months’ community detention and 18 months’ intensive supervision for supplying a woman with drugs who died the following day. The Hamilton District Court heard Knox supplied the woman with MDMA, morphine, oxycodone and heroin between April and July 2024.

Knox, 25, faced five drug charges, including supplying or selling MDMA, oxycodone, heroin, and possessing magic mushrooms. Although he wasn’t charged in relation to the woman’s death, a coroner determined the combination of heroin, codeine, diazepam, and quetiapine caused her death. She was found with some of the heroin Knox sold her still in her possession.

Judge Kim Saunders initially proposed a four-month community detention sentence, but Knox requested a seven-month term, believing it would better support his ongoing rehabilitation. Judge Saunders adjusted the sentence to the maximum allowable six months.

The court heard Knox met the woman in 2024 and was aware of her pre-existing health problems, including alcohol addiction and chronic pain requiring hospitalization. He admitted to police he supplied her with drugs believing he was helping her manage her pain, stating “the doctors weren’t doing enough.”

Between April and July 2024, Knox sold the woman 310mg of oxycodone over four occasions for $620, 120mg of morphine for $90, and 100mg of heroin for $100. He also sold 210g of magic mushrooms to a friend for $3000. He had purchased half a gram of heroin for $400 on June 27.

Knox’s lawyer, James Gurnick, presented a neuropsychological report from Dr. Jon Nuth, arguing for a 65% discount on the sentence due to Knox’s addiction. Judge Saunders dismissed the report’s findings, noting the information was self-reported by Knox. Gurnick then offered medical notes from another doctor, but the judge remained unconvinced regarding the extent of the discount.

Judge Saunders acknowledged the woman’s parents, who were present in court, stating, “I’m sure that nothing I say can mitigate your loss, but I acknowledge it.” She accepted Knox was not a commercial drug dealer, but acknowledged the heroin he supplied was a contributing factor in the woman’s death.

The judge noted Knox had a long history of drug employ, beginning in his teens, and had previously overdosed. She also acknowledged he had stopped using drugs, was undergoing treatment, and had been diagnosed with ADHD and likely autism spectrum disorder. Knox had described using heroin to “block pain.”

After applying a 40% discount, Judge Saunders sentenced Knox to six months’ community detention and 18 months’ intensive supervision. The court heard Knox had taken full responsibility for his actions and expressed genuine remorse.

According to the New Zealand Drug Foundation, opioids, including heroin, are the leading cause of overdose fatalities in the country. Executive Director Sarah Helm stated that combining multiple depressants significantly increases the risk of overdose. Opioids are sometimes referred to as “Smack, Brown, Dope, Horse.” Helm also highlighted the importance of increased access to naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. The foundation has occasionally detected heroin samples in drug checking clinics.

In 2024, New Zealand recorded 45 opioid drug overdose cases. The Drug Foundation noted that data sets often combine various opioids, making it difficult to determine the precise prevalence of heroin use.