DATURA PAIR FOUND IN BUSH

Police say the "stupid" actions of two Christchurch youths who became
lost in bush after taking a cocktail of alcohol and drugs could easily
have cost their lives.

The pair sparked a search and rescue in Hanmer Springs after running
into nearby forest after boozing and taking datura - a hallucinogenic
drug - about 10pm on Thursday.

The second of the two missing 17-year-olds was found at 7pm last night
after the search which began at 11am when the pair did not return to
their companions at a holiday house in the town.

He was "incoherent" when found but suffering only a minor foot injury
and frostbite, Senior Constable Ian Price said.

His mother had travelled to the search scene.

The other youth, also 17, was found at noon yesterday wandering
barefoot by a local farmer several kilometres from the Hanmer Springs
village.

This youth had discarded his shoes and "now has virtually no skin on
the bottom of both his feet", Mr Price said.

"He was mixed-up, possibly from hypothermia or whatever he was
drinking," he said.

Both youths were taken to Christchurch Hospital for treatment last
night.

Mr Price said he hoped people would learn from the incident.

"(Datura) is not a common thing now, but I hope people can see just
how dangerous it can be."

Emergency personnel were at the beck and call of the public, "be their
actions stupid or otherwise".

"Although it is in the stupid bracket this time, we are happy to have
located them fit and well."

Mr Price said it was lucky that the Christchurch Search and Rescue
squad was in Hanmer Springs on the way home from an exercise in
Marlborough when the pair went missing.

It was joined by a rescue helicopter and a police dog.

Mr Price said police had not yet decided whether the two youths would
face charges.