Drugs, crime and statistics A hangover for life Prison needle exchange controversy Quit or die, you have another choice Contents

matters of substance November 2007 Features Vol 17 No 4 ISSN 1177-200X 02 Cover Story Is alcohol-related brain Mike Webb of the matters of substance is published by the Let’s talk about pot impairment a silent writes NZ Drug Foundation. All rights reserved. but growing epidemic about a major review of Neither this publication nor any part amongst heavy drinking the Police Act, which is of it may be reproduced without prior permission of the NZ Drug Foundation. New Zealanders? New currently underway, and the research suggests our opportunities this might bring matters of substance invites feedback culture of drunkenness about for harm minimisation and contributions. If you’re interested in may be putting our brains at the frontline of policing. contributing a guest editorial or article, at risk, and most won’t please first contact us: know until it’s too late. [email protected] Marijuana. It’s the most 29 Mythbusters p +64 4 801 6303 widely used and least talked Hard time and about (illicit) recreational Regulars hard numbers Brand development/graphic design drug in New Zealand. In this Origin Design +64 4 801 6644 [email protected] special edition of Matters of 01 The Director’s Cut Substance, we’ve asked Drug Foundation Director interested and interesting NZ Drug Foundation Ross Bell writes about 3rd Floor, 111 Dixon Street people from across the current drug law review in PO Box 3082, Wellington, New Zealand spectrum to share New Zealand. p +64 4 801 6303 their thoughts. Cannabis policy 01 Key Events and Dates Numbers and statistics challenges abound around how alcohol Here’s what’s coming up Become a member Time to end cannabis and drugs contribute to for people with an interest prohibition crime, imprisonment and The NZ Drug Foundation has in alcohol and other drugs. been at the heart of major Reforming cannabis re-offending. In this issue, No doubt there will be some alcohol and other drug policy penalty regimes to Mythbusters look at why events you won’t want to miss. debates for over 18 years. reduce harm the numbers can appear During that time, we have No chance of cannabis to differ and what the demonstrated a strong liberalisation in short 22 Opinion statistics actually mean. commitment to advocating term Seeing past the smoke policies and practices based Cannabis and its veil News on the best evidence available. of deceit You can help us. A key strength of the 25 New Zealand News NZ Drug Foundation lies in its diverse 16 The point of prison membership base. As a member of the needle exchange Drug-pilfering nurses, NZ Drug Foundation, you will receive drunken student mayhem information about major alcohol and and really expensive other drug policy challenges. You can also get involved in our work to find solutions cigarettes. You can read For years, the health message about all these and more in to those challenges. to smokers has been “quit or our section on New Zealand die”, a message that clearly Our membership includes health news. promoters, primary health and fails with hardcore nicotine community organisations, researchers, junkies. Ann McNeill and World News students, schools and boards of trustees, Like it or not, prisoners do Jamie Bridge argue it may 27 policy makers, and addiction treatment be time to look more at Confiscated kids, crazy agencies and workers. drugs, and the blood-borne diseases they acquire from harm minimisation for those smokers and canine intrigue. Membership and subscription enquiries dirty needles get paroled who just can’t quit, no Lots has been happening [email protected] back into society along with matter what. with drugs and alcohol or visit our website. them. Why then are prison overseas, and we have it needle exchanges so 18 Guest Editorial covered in our World News controversial? A new blue line? section. www.drugfoundation.org.nz Harm minimisation 20 It’s doing your brain in and police law reform Quotes of Substance Here are some things people around the world have recently said about drugs. Sometimes what they say is clever; sometimes it’s helpful. Often it’s funny and occasionally it’s just bizarre. matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The Director’s Cut Key Events & Dates

Recognising and responding to International Drug Policy Reform alcohol-related brain injury Conference 8–9 November, Auckland 5–8 December, New Orleans, A unique opportunity to understand Louisiana, USA the implications and social This is the world’s principal gathering consequences of ARBI and explore of people who believe the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. Welcome to this November interventions. www.ahw.co.nz No better opportunity exists to learn 2007 Matters of Substance. about drug policy and to strategise and mobilise for reform. Australasian Therapeutic http://kessjones.com/conf07/ And special greetings to review of the Misuse of Communities Association those reading this at the Drugs Act, at the time he Conference: Celebrating ATCA’s combined Cutting Edge/ introduced his party pill bill 21st Birthday 19th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug-Related Harm Australasian Professional to Parliament. 14–16 November, Melbourne, Australia 11–15 May 2008, Barcelona, Spain Society on Alcohol and The review, led by the This year’s 21st anniversary The international forum on reducing other Drugs conference; Law Commission, is aimed conference will showcase the many drug harm. It brings together over a warm welcome to our at providing a “better, more positive contributions therapeutic one thousand dedicated harm international guests. communities have made to the reduction workers, policy makers coherent and rational legal and researchers. Our regular readers treatment of drug and alcohol framework” for drugs, but www.ihra.net will notice something addiction in Australia and alcohol and tobacco will not New Zealand. different about this issue. be included. The review is www.atca.com.au Involve 08. Relate: Quality Our cannabis cover story due to be completed by relationships with young people dominates the pages – December 2008. Is 15 months Drug Foundation Annual General 2–4 July 2008, Wellington Involve brings together hundreds of I explain why in the enough time for the Meeting cover story introduction. 19 November, Wellington diverse peoples from the youth health commission to do its work? and development sectors to inspire, Our annual meeting couples as an It’s been described as ill inform, encourage and challenge. Probably not. There are end-of-year celebration. Join us for thought-out, arbitrary and The conference aims to reflect and a number of inconsistencies good food and an interesting debate. one of the least effective connect the diversity of people who and other technical legal bits Members will elect a representative work with and for young people. pieces of legislation ever to the Board of Trustees. that need to be addressed, www.involve.org.nz enacted. I’m referring to the and the review is also www.drugfoundation.org.nz ’s drug law, considering the Act’s under- A Climate for Change: but those comments could Working Together: A practical World Summit on Addiction lying philosophy. That’s no conference on offending by young apply equally to our 32-year- 10–12 July 2008, Melbourne, easy task. It will require a people in New Zealand old Misuse of Drugs Act, Australia considerable thoroughness 26–28 November, Wellington which I’ve previously and Think outside the box, find important and the sort of wide This is an opportunity to bring gaps in knowledge and identify more politely described as a consultation rarely seen. together those who work tirelessly research that moves the field patchwork of amendments, to improve outcomes for our forward faster. The summit is a The current review of - many of which were ad hoc young people and their whanau. place for thoughtful, intellectual the Police Act, a similarly The conference will place an responses to short-term stimulation and enthusiastic important law, is an emphasis on establishing stronger discussion. The intent is to provoke public or political concerns, links between government and exemplar the Law rather than contemplate. leading to an inconsistent non government agencies, and will www.pacificcmc.com piece of legislation. Commission should follow. provide an opportunity to explore new and creative ways of working That review is a two-year Healing Our Spirit Worldwide It has seen twenty with young offenders. project and involves four 3–10 September 2010, Honolulu, amendments; one of the www.yoc.org.nz most recent in 2005 creating stages of very broad Hawaii consultation, which will Healing Our Spirit Worldwide the Restricted Substances Listening to the Past, Looking to result in a bill, itself allow- is a cultural celebration inviting category (commonly, but the Future: 5th Health Services collaboration with indigenous incorrectly, called “Class ing further public input. and Policy Research Conference peoples on health, healing and self- D”). Next month, there Any new drug law must 2–5 December, Auckland determination. The movement began support our national drug How can health services research as one woman’s vision to create a will be one further change: focus for the global community on policy, which aims to contribute to assessing fads and classifying party pills as fashions in health policy and alcohol and drug abuse issues in Class C1, making the 2005 minimise the harm from practice? The conference will explore indigenous communities. amendment redundant. drugs. For that to happen, how research can assist in improving www.papaolalokahi.org Calls to review this outdated the review must be done the effectiveness, efficiency, quality and equity of health services and law are made more frequently properly and with an You can now submit your own health systems. event to our online calendar: than the amendments. appropriate level of time http://chsrp.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/ www.drugfoundation.org.nz/ The Minister has listened, and resource. health/ events. announcing a complete Happy reading, Ross Bell. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 0 Cover Story

0 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Cannabis policy challenges >

Time to end cannabis prohibition >

Reforming cannabis penalty regimes to reduce harm >

No chance of cannabis liberalisation in short term >

Cannabis and its veil of deceit >

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 0 The aim of this conversation is to:

We’re talking about cannabis, the inquiry and reported back in 2003, provide accurate information about New Zealand’s favourite (illicit) drug. the coalition agreement between the cannabis and its harms About half of us have tried it, and one Government and United Future meant encourage informed policy discussions and media coverage in eight uses it regularly. But for all its that no change could be made to the identify priority issues and advance the popularity, cannabis receives scant legal status of cannabis, and little most effective ways to address cannabis attention from politicians, policy action was taken on other key harm. makers and the media. Instead, rightly recommendations. or wrongly, we’ve invested much of It’s time law makers remembered our attention, resources and headlines this popular drug and started talking into methamphetamine and the party about it. Ignoring it doesn’t make the pill phenomenon. harm go away. It’s also time the It has been hugely frustrating addiction treatment, public health and watching hours of politicians’ time drug policy sectors and wider public spent debating, making laws, remaking talk about cannabis again. laws, promulgating regulations and We aim to start this national ignoring regulations for party pills. conversation with our cover story in Hours have been spent by officials which we’ve invited leading drug discussions, the conversation needs to servicing ministers and MPs all het up policy researchers, advocates and be about much more than that. Future about these pills, and this organisation commentators to write about cannabis editions of Matters of Substance will has spent hours on policy analysis, law and policy. Wayne Hall outlines address drugs in schools, addiction health promotion and media advocacy the challenges in formulating cannabis treatment services, youth health and on party pills. Then there’s the wads of policy, Simon Lenton discusses how health promotion, and the role of the money invested in party pill research, penalty regimes may be used to reduce media in advancing policy discussions. and so on. harm and Chris Fowlie puts the case We want everyone to take part in To put it bluntly, party pills are for ending prohibition. Matthew this conversation. Alongside our undeserving of so much attention, and Hooten canvasses political party printed Matters of Substance, these cannabis remains largely forgotten or positions on cannabis law reform essays will be published on our ignored by this 48th Parliament. and suggests there’s little chance of website where we invite your The last time Parliament touched the liberalisation in the short term. His comment and feedback. We have also issue was the Health Committee inquiry essay is informed by a UMR Research launched a cannabis email newsletter, into the public health strategies related poll showing no public appetite for in which we will publish news, to cannabis use and its most appropriate law change. Michael B shares his research, letters to the editor and other legal status. The inquiry began in experience of cannabis dependence. feedback. You can find out more and 2000, but was delayed by an election. While legal status gets the most sign up on the Let’s Talk About Pot Once the new committee carried over attention in public and political page of our website.

0 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz In an ideal world, public policies towards cannabis would be informed by both evidence on the personal harms it causes and social and economic evaluations of the costs and benefits of alternative policies in minimising these harms. A paucity of both types of evidence is a major challenge to the development of such “evidence- based” policies towards cannabis use. Wayne Hall

There is a limited quantity and quality the media. The public has been invited of research into the health effects of to believe either that cannabis use is cannabis, but it is nonetheless possible harmless, and hence should be to identify its most probable adverse decriminalised (if not legalised), or health effects. These include: an that cannabis is harmful to health, increased risk of motor vehicle crashes and so its use should continue to be if users drive while intoxicated; the prohibited. As a consequence, public development of dependence; increased debate often presents highly polarised respiratory symptoms; poorer mental evaluations of the health effects of health, including increased risks of cannabis, with any rational discussion psychosis and possibility of of its health risks the first casualty. depression; and poorer adolescent Proponents of prohibition have development, including early school taken evidence of harms found among leaving and increased risk of using cannabis users at face value, ignoring other illicit drugs. any alternative explanations. There is less research into costs and Proponents of reform of the existing benefits of cannabis policies because, laws, by contrast, have discounted internationally, a narrow range of evidence of harm caused by cannabis policy approaches is available for use, while emphasising the social costs evaluation. These generally involve of enforcing cannabis prohibition. marginal differences in penalties for and cannabis policies. Good public cannabis use and possession (for example, imposing fines or counselling rather A more realistic policy on cannabis requires than imprisonment). The effects of understanding of the health investments in epidemiological these changes in penalties are likely to effects of cannabis and the research on the long-term health be small, and none has been detected impact of cannabis policies consequences of its use and social in evaluations to date. Evaluations of requires less partisan science research on the costs and benefits of current and alternative the more controversial appraisals than usually policy options. cannabis policy – decriminalising dominate media debates. personal cannabis use and small-scale The epidemiological research need retail sales in coffee shops – have come not be expensive if cannabis use is to different conclusions about its Discussions of public policy routinely asked about in prospective effects on rates of use. towards cannabis should use studies of adolescent development, Public debate about cannabis policy consistent standards in appraising as has been done in New Zealand or has often been radically simplified by evidence of harm from cannabis use in longitudinal studies of adult health www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 0 Bullet Points

Around 12 percent of all callers to the such as those in the USA. Another protecting the health of young people, Alcohol Drug Helpline are under 25 years critical ingredient for policy progress reducing crime, minimising the of age, but 25 percent of cannabis callers is a wider public involvement in the societal costs of enforcing widely are under 25. Twenty-eight percent call about their own cannabis use; the rest debate. A more realistic understanding broken laws, and so on. are concerned with others’ use. of the health effects of cannabis and There is no consensus on what priority these competing social values Alcohol is the reason for 64 percent the impact of cannabis policies of calls to the Helpline; 14 percent are requires less partisan appraisals than should be given, so policy debates in for cannabis and 11 percent for usually dominate media debates. democratic societies are and ought to methamphetamine. Better evidence on the harms of be resolved by a deliberative political At 13 percent, cannabis is the second use and cannabis policies is important, process. The political process should most queried drug from the Get the but it cannot determine what cannabis take into account evidence on both the msg! text service; amphetamines are policy we should have. In pluralistic harms caused by cannabis use and first at 15 percent. social democracies like New Zealand those that arise from the social policies Cannabis is the third most popular and Australia, social policies in we implement to prevent its use and recreational drug – 14 percent of resulting harm. This holds the greatest New Zealanders aged 13–65 have controversial areas like cannabis use prospect of producing a cannabis used cannabis in the past 12 months – must involve a search for a societal after alcohol (81 percent) and tobacco compromise that is the most policy that enjoys broad community (23 percent). acceptable to the most people (or least support and best reduces related Around 44 percent of New Zealanders objectionable to the fewest). This is harm. aged 13–65 have “ever used” cannabis. because cannabis policy must balance Professor Wayne Hall is based at the School of Forty percent of recent users have done competing social values that are in Population Health, University of Queensland at least some driving while under the conflict, namely, the individual (www.sph.uq.edu.au). influence of cannabis. freedom of adults to use cannabis, One in three people who have used cannabis first used it when aged between 15–17 years; 15 percent first used it when younger than 15; 50 percent first used it when they were 18 years or older. Six percent of cannabis users in the last year have received help to reduce their use. Most cannabis users (57 percent) smoked cannabis in a joint; 39 percent smoked using a bong or pipe; 2.6 percent typically smoked it with tobacco. Most cannabis users (94 percent) use it in groups of two people or more. Most cannabis use (85 percent) occurs in private homes; 48 percent use cannabis in public locations (concerts, pubs, the beach, etc); 6 percent use it at work. The cannabis market has an annual turnover of $131–$190 million dollars. Police detect and destroy around 26–32 percent of the total crop produced each year – a high rate compared to other countries. The likelihood of being arrested for using cannabis is about 4 percent a year. Mäori make up 14.5 percent of the population, yet account for 43 percent of convictions for using cannabis and 55 percent of convictions for dealing cannabis.

0 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The current high levels of use and the level of black market activity indicate that the current prohibition regime is not effective in limiting cannabis use. Prohibition results in high conviction rates for a relatively minor offence, inhibiting people’s education, travel and employment opportunities. Prohibition makes targeting education, prevention, harm minimisation and treatment measures difficult because users fear prosecution. It also facilitates the black market and potentially exposes cannabis users to harder drugs. Chris Fowlie

So said the Health Select Committee’s Though use is widespread in The Dutch, who have allowed the report on the inquiry into the legal New Zealand, enforcement of drug sale of cannabis to adults since 1976, status of cannabis, in August 2003. laws impacts much harder on Ma-ori, have one-third the per capita usage of Whatever your take on the health who are five times more likely to be New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, effects of cannabis – and we all have arrested for cannabis than non-Ma-ori. teen cannabis use dropped after it was our opinions – it is clear that made a non-arrestable offence. prohibition has not worked, and There is no difference in use a drugs policy re-think is in order. Eighty percent of 21-year- between those Australian states who If the aim of prohibition has been to olds have tried cannabis. have decriminalised cannabis and prevent use, it has failed spectacularly. How many should be arrested those that continue to arrest users. Despite having the highest cannabis before prohibition is judged The United States also shows no arrest rate in the world, more a success? difference between the ten states – New Zealanders use cannabis now than representing half the population – ever before. Half of New Zealanders are who decriminalised in the 1970s and criminalised by this law. Eighty percent The present law is a form of those that did not. Recent analysis of of 21-year-olds have tried cannabis. institutional racism. Its enforcement cities in California, Colorado, How many should be arrested before alienates police from society and Washington State and Oregon showed prohibition is judged a success? causes enormous harm to the lives, there was no influence of medical Enforcement of cannabis careers and families of more than ten cannabis laws on the extent of illegal prohibition by the police, courts and thousand people arrested every year. cannabis use. The researchers said that prisons cost taxpayers $56 million in Research confirms that drug laws the “use of the drug by those already 2000. While more than twenty million have little effect, if any, on drug use sick might ‘de-glamorise’ it and dollars is spent every year chasing rates, but they do increase or decrease thereby do little to encourage use ordinary Kiwis for small amounts the harms associated with use. among others”. of cannabis, treatment services and Countries that have reformed their The most commonly voiced effective education are struggling or, laws have not experienced increased concern about ending prohibition in places, don’t exist. Furthermore, use, but have spent millions of dollars centres around the protection of fear of arrest is the biggest barrier to less on law enforcement than countries children. However, problems in our those seeking help. where prohibition remains. schools or communities are made www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 0 Let’s talk about pot

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Cannabaceae Genus: Cannabis Chemistry The active ingredients in cannabis are called cannabinoids. There are many cannabinoids synthesised by the plant including (THC), cannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabinolidic acid, cannabigerol and cannabichromene. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is thought to be responsible for most of the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Frequency of use over the last 12 months, by cannabis users Percent total 7 or more times a week 7.8 About 2–6 times a week 11.9 About once a week 7.1 About 1–3 times a month 14.1 Less than once a month 59.1

Type of cannabis usually used Percent total Leaf or “cabbage” – the dried leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant 25.2 Heads – flowers of theCannabis sativa plant, which are more potent 43.1 than the leaves Skunk – a variety of cannabis plant usually grown indoors – the head 27.6 of this plant has a higher level of THC than regular cannabis Hash oil – the thick, oily liquid extracted from hashish, usually spread 3.2 on the tip or paper of cigarettes and then smoked Hashish – dried cannabis resin, which has a higher concentration of 1.0 THC than cannabis leaf, added to tobacco and smoked, or baked and eaten in food worse under current law, not better. immediately repeal cannabis Modern research shows cannabis is Prohibition promotes a ‘forbidden prohibition and investigate the failure an effective and safe medicine for many fruit’ mentality, glamorising cannabis of current drugs policy. conditions including cancer, HIV wasting as a token of rebellion. Open and Let’s control the way cannabis is syndrome, glaucoma, chronic pain, honest communication is made more used and sold through appropriate arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia difficult in an environment of guilt and regulations such as age limits, health and epilepsy. Let’s allow doctors and patients to decide what treatment is persecution. The untaxed cannabis warnings, dosage and packaging controls, best for them, not politicians or police. economy is worth hundreds of marketing restrictions and so forth. Given the spectacular failure of millions of dollars and controlled by Let’s use cannabis excise taxes to the current law, the burden of proof whoever is prepared to break the law. provide effective education about should be on prohibitionists to show Violence and intimidation rule the drugs so that people can make why we should persist with this market, just as was the case under responsible and informed choices, expensive and destructive mistake. alcohol prohibition in 1930s America. and fully fund treatment services for So what should be done about it? those who need them. Let’s provide Chris Fowlie is President of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws If we are genuinely committed enough resources to research the effect in New Zealand (www.norml.org.nz). to harm minimisation, we should of any law changes.

0 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Two ways some jurisdictions have tried to reduce cannabis-related harm is by changing the laws that apply to cannabis (de jure changes), or by modifying the way these laws are enforced by police (de facto changes). Simon Lenton

De jure changes can include one where effects decay, and what is from strict prohibition to prohibition prohibition with civil penalties, and originally implemented changes over with civil penalties. Taken as a whole, partial prohibition. Under the former, time. International comparisons are this research finds that removing possession and use remain illegal but difficult, and results can be confounded criminal penalties for cannabis civil rather than criminal penalties by cultural, political, geographic and possession and use does not result in apply, and more severe sanctions are climatic differences. Cannabis law higher rates of cannabis use, but does maintained for larger-scale possession reforms often occur in locations with reduce the adverse social impacts of supply offences. Such a system applies already high rates of use. Consequently, conviction in terms of employment, to cannabis use in 11 US states and pre-post or longitudinal designs with further contact with the criminal four Australian jurisdictions – South ‘matched’ control locations are needed justice system and so on. Savings in Australia (1987), the Australian Capital to identify true impacts. Any research police and court resources can be Territory (1992), the Northern Territory evidence is at best indicative, as the considerable, but depend on the size (1996) and Western Australia (2004). actual impacts of any future cannabis of the jurisdiction and the way the Under partial prohibition, personal use policy reforms will depend on schemes are implemented. There have activities are legal, but commercial contextual factors and how the reforms been a small number of studies in activities are illegal. Examples exist in are implemented. Therefore, it is the economics literature that have Columbia, Spain (where possession is important that changes to cannabis claimed that rates of cannabis use are only considered punishable if it is for policy are evaluated, monitored and higher in those states that have consumption in public places) and reviewed. “decriminalised”. Switzerland. Most of the available published However, because these studies De facto de-penalisation can research has been done on moving have not taken into account rates of include prohibition with cautioning and/or diversion schemes (examples of which operate for a range of drugs Research finds that in Italy, Portugal and Australia) and removing criminal prohibition with an expediency penalties for principle. Under the latter, all drug- cannabis possession related activities are illegal, but cases and use does not involving defined small quantities are result in higher rates not investigated or prosecuted. of cannabis use. Examples of this system operate for cannabis in , Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. Although the published evidence evaluating the impact of cannabis policies is not large, caution needs to be exercised in its interpretation. The policy environment is a dynamic www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 0 use prior to the legislative changes, Similarly, prohibition with civil disadvantaged by new penalty options, it cannot be concluded that the higher penalties schemes can have unintended just as they often are with existing rates of use were as a result of the legal consequences depending on the criminal justice responses. Special changes, particularly as those states scheme and how it is implemented. effort needs to be made to monitor that reduce penalties often have higher For example, the South Australian and address this. rates of use beforehand. Yet there is (SA) scheme has been shown to have a The legislative changes in WA were more compelling evidence that rates low rate (45 percent) of people paying about treating cannabis use as a health of cannabis use would likely increase, their fines by the due date. In comparison, and social issue, rather than primarily especially among the young, if use the Cannabis Infringement Notice one of criminal law. Importantly, this was legalised. Scheme implemented in Western was not simply for the small proportion Cautioning schemes where first-, Australia (WA) since 2004 has an of cannabis users who are apprehended second- or third-time apprehended overall rate of 65 percent, as those by police each year, but for the more cannabis users are required to attend who fail to pay or attend an education than 90 percent who are not. Limited education or treatment, rather than session in lieu of fine risk having their but growing evidence suggests that get a conviction, are in place in four driver’s licence cancelled. cannabis users may be more willing to Australian jurisdictions. While Similarly, the SA scheme resulted voluntarily seek help for cannabis politically expedient and supported in significant “net widening”, with the problems in an environment where civil by the drug treatment sector, evidence number being processed for minor rather than criminal penalties apply. of their effectiveness is thin. There is cannabis offences increasing by 2.5 Yet legislative changes themselves a concern that tying up treatment times after the scheme was introduced, at best only provide a context for resources with this group may not be due to the ease with which notices reducing use and harm. If this is to be the best use of this valuable resource. could be issued. While the WA scheme capitalised on, the penalty changes Questions remain about whether has resulted in some net widening, need to be accompanied by: balanced public education about cannabis, those diverted to treatment actually this has been modest, possibly because the law, the realistic risks and harms engage or may be more willing to do police are processing apprehended and how these can be reduced; and so in future. Also, given that only users at the police station where they provision of a range of accessible, between two and five percent of are photographed and finger printed, effective and attractive treatment cannabis users have contact with the rather than issuing the notices in the options for those with cannabis-related criminal justice system in any one field, as intended by the scheme’s problems. year, it is doubtful whether a system designers. built around this group is ideal, even if Socially and economically Associate Professor Simon Lenton is a Deputy we assumed that the majority of them disadvantaged members of society, Director at the National Drug Research had significant cannabis use problems. such as indigenous people, may be Institute in Perth (www.ndri.curtin.edu.au).

10 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Pot Shots

When I was in England, I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t inhale. Bill Clinton, United States President 1993–2001

I inhaled frequently. The next 12 months will not be fruitful for those That was the point. wanting a serious policy debate about possible Barack Obama, United States presidential changes to our cannabis laws, but there may be candidate an opening for such a debate during the 2008–11 Parliament. Matthew Hooten When I was a student, I took one or two puffs of marijuana, but that was it. Those wanting to lobby for policy indifferent on the question of Vernon Coaker, United Kingdom drug change need first to understand the law reform. Those in favour of policy minister cardinal rule of politics: politicians liberalisation are seen as a minority care about nothing except getting of mostly youngish Green or Labour elected and re-elected. voters, or libertarian ACT or National I did when I was at Most people suspect that this rule voters, who take their policy guidance university. I think it was is true but they don’t understand the from the pro-legalisation Economist extent of it, and they can be shocked magazine. Neither of these groups is wrong that I smoked it when initially confronted by its seen as swing voters, who politicians when I did. savagery. In fairness to our politicians, care most about because they Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary, in charge it could be argued that the rule is ultimately decide elections. of UK’s drug strategy review highly democratic in that it demands This basic assumption may be they reflect the will of the people. discouraging for proponents of Politicians also justify themselves by decriminalisation or legalisation Look, I attended saying that, unless they are elected and and, in fact, may even overstate the university in the late 1960s. re-elected, they can do nothing to put public’s appetite for liberalisation It would be foolish for any in place their brilliant plans for our of existing laws. politician, or indeed person futures. A brief poll carried out exclusively When it comes to cannabis, the for the New Zealand Drug Foundation around those circles in those basic political assumption is that the by New Zealand’s most-respected days, to deny that they ever public is either conservative or polling company, UMR Research Ltd, saw it. Helen Clark, in a televised debate during the 1999 election campaign

I’m not persuaded that a drug like cannabis needs to be a heavy criminal activity in the eyes of the law. Prime Minister Helen Clark, NZ Herald, 14 July 2003

continued on page 13

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 11 suggests that fully 25 percent of the population agree that existing laws Political parties will receive should be made “a lot tougher”. roughly the same polling data Another 9 percent believe the law telling them that the net result should be made “a little tougher”. from adopting a policy of more That means more than a third of liberal cannabis laws will be to the population say they want tougher lose votes. laws. In contrast, just 11 percent say the law should be made “a lot more liberal”, and another 8 percent think it should be “a little more liberal”. But they are experts in a particular The Green Party, usually seen as the Nearly half of us, 46 percent, believe field, not politicians having to develop most likely to push for liberalisation, sits there should be no change at all. policy across the full range of topics at around MMP’s five percent threshold. Most significantly, these and needing it to be popular in order Should it fall below five percent, it is proportions are relatively stable across to be elected. All our political parties out of parliament altogether, and its income groups, gender and geography will receive roughly the same polling strategists believe that Nandor – although far fewer Wellingtonians data telling them that the net result Tanczos’s association with cannabis than the national average want the law from adopting a policy of more liberal law reform in previous elections cost made tougher, reflecting how out of cannabis laws will be to lose votes, it support from the sort of worried touch with the rest of the country the and none of our important political suburban mums that Sue Kedgley capital city often is. parties has any room to lose votes over might otherwise appeal to. When it comes to age groups, there the next 15 months. The Maori- Party draws its funding is the expected general trend of people National is sitting on 50 percent and many of its votes from more becoming more conservative as they support but with no obvious coalition traditional Maori- society, many of get older. Interestingly, however, partners. To be assured of becoming whom perceive that colonisation has 20 percent of people under 30 say the government, it can’t afford to lose poisoned their people with alcohol they want tougher laws. even a few percentage points. and tobacco. They will oppose There is no majority for Labour is now sitting in the low 30s. anything that risks being seen as liberalisation in any demographic It knows that, should a poll be published condoning the use of any drug. group. giving it a result with a two at the front While the party’s leading figure, Professionals in the cannabis abuse of it – even 29.9 percent, the media Tariana Turia, has said there should and public policy industries argue that will talk of the risk of a “collapse”, be a level of cannabis reform, she says a simple polling question is not a and that such talk will become self- she cannot support full legalisation. sound basis on which to develop fulfilling, driving its support to levels She will not want cannabis to be an public policy, and they are right. from which it cannot recover. issue for her party, which seeks every

12 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Pot Shots vote possible in order to hold the satisfactory, Key knows he will be I only use it as part of my balance of power after the next a one-term Prime Minister. faith as a Rasta. I don’t use election. Those who believe in the principle it recreationally. I use it in The centre parties, New Zealand of harm minimisation rather than small amounts maybe once criminalisation have an opportunity to First and United Future, reflecting a month. their elderly and conservative voters, demonstrate to the new Prime Minister are staunchly opposed to liberalisation. that reform of cannabis laws is Nandor Tanczos, Green Party MP The Jim Anderton and ACT parties do necessary to break the influence not count. of criminal gangs, allow effective If advocates for liberalisation want treatment for drug abuse and improve I do not smoke cannabis, to make progress politically, they will the quality of information available to although I did try it when I first need to convince the public, young people. was a university student in in order to shift the polls. Labour’s Reform advocates need to show the 1970s. Key that only by acting on this issue, Electoral Finance Bill, however, will Peter Dunne, United Future Party leader make it illegal for the New Zealand will he be able to make progress in Drug Foundation or anyone else to reducing the underclass. In short, they effectively communicate with the need to show Key how liberalisation Yes, I have smoked will help him get re-elected, public on this or any other political cannabis, some decades issue in 2008. notwithstanding what he reads in There is one opening ahead, the polls about public attitudes ago. I gave it up. I didn’t however. Our likely next Prime towards cannabis law reform. enjoy it. Minister, , has staked his Some will read this as a pessimistic Pete Hodgson, Minister of Health political career on addressing the issue assessment of New Zealand politics. of the so-called “underclass”, reversing But if it is true that liberalisation will social exclusion and building social help tackle wider social issues, then it The government will cohesion. Key knows that, when he should not be beyond the New Zealand not introduce legislation is seeking re-election in 2011, he will Drug Foundation and others to make to change the legal status be accountable against those goals. that case to help secure the social gains of cannabis. In the lead-up to the 2011 election, that are claimed. If those gains cannot Confidence and supply agreement between our media will return to McGehan be demonstrated conclusively to the the Labour/Progressive Government and Close (which is in the Mt Roskill new Prime Minister, then it is only the United Future Parliamentary Caucus, electorate of likely opposition leader right that any government should 2002 Phil Goff) to interview Aroha Ireland, proceed cautiously. who Key took to Waitangi this year. The media will ask her and her Matthew Hooton is Managing Director of Auckland public relations company Exceltium neighbours what has changed in Ltd, and a prominent political commentator the three years Key has been Prime (www.exceltium.com). Minister. If the answers are not

Toughening laws on marijuana (August 2007) Using a 1 to 5 scale, where 1 means make the law a lot tougher and 5 means make the law a lot more liberal, to what extent do you think the current law on marijuana should be changed. 3 is the mid-point and means no change to the current law (n=750). Percent 1 – Make the law a lot tougher 25 2 – Make the law tougher 9 Total ‘tougher’ 34 3 – Make no change to the current law 46 4 – Make the law more liberal 8 5 – Make the law a lot more liberal 11 Total ‘more liberal’ 19 Unsure 1

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 13 I awoke this morning to a flurry of colourful and fantastic insights for my story on cannabis. By the time I made it to my desk, all those wonderful ideas had dissolved like smoke in the wind. Michael Bird

In so many ways, that sums up my I found it pathetic and embarrassing. the “evidence”. 20 years of cannabis use. As I had my first smoke at At about age 35, I decided that I From the start, I loved using breakfast, I knew there was a good needed to grow up, get a life and be cannabis because it opened my mind, chance that in an hour or so I would like the folk around me who weren’t heightened my senses and made me feel edgy, unfocused and indecisive, stoned, yet seemed to be leading pretty feel connected with the universe and yet the lure of that wonderful first-up good lives. I began to want a life that the otherwise scary people that rush of warmth was just too much to didn’t have so many crutches. populated my world. resist. The sense of physical wholeness I decided to stop smoking cannabis. Gradually I set up my life around and the psychological shift that came But stopping turned out to be a pot. Early on, I learnt to grow it because from that first smoke overpowered my little trickier than I thought. First, that kept the cost down. Inevitably, this knowledge of the consequences. there was the physicality of the whole led to a prosecution for cultivation. In the end, my best friend turned process, the feeling of total discomfort Along the way, I began to deal in pot on me. My mind had become closed in my being, an itchiness coupled (and other drugs) to ensure supply and could barely function. The world with an inability to sit still, and an and help fund my own use. had become a grey and foggy place, overwhelming sense that something When I was finally earning enough and my overwhelming paranoia had was missing. in my career to fund my habits, I distanced me from everybody. The psychological withdrawal surrounded myself with folk who People couldn’t understand my could be summed up by the word supported my using; people who often using, and they found it difficult to “craving” – a complete and absolute found me more accessible, thoughtful, understand my behaviour and even obsession with cannabis 24 hours a even useful, I suppose, when I was my words a lot of the time. My work day. No matter how much I drank or stoned. became at best unpredictable, and my what other drugs I used, I couldn’t At one point, I even had the ability to have intimate relationships shake that obsession. landlord build a deck off my office so was negligible. I realised then that I had a problem I only had to walk a couple of paces to This was all from a drug that the and that the problem was something have a smoke in privacy. press at the time suggested was not I could not easily deal with. Most of my friendships were harmful. Apparently, it was neither Over the next few years, I would founded on drug use and my ability to physically nor psychologically often swear off pot on a Sunday and by supply. At first, I liked the needy nature addictive, and the only real harm Wednesday – or maybe, if I was really of the supply relationship, but later on, was to the lungs. I so wanted to believe lucky, Thursday – I would find that I

14 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Talking about pot, Aussie style

It is hardly surprising that many community This positive news is tempered by the members are confused about the harms findings that 79,700 14–19 year olds still say associated with cannabis use as media they smoked cannabis in the past week, and headlines and commentary frequently lurch 8.8 percent of current smokers in that age from one sensational story to the next. group say they smoke cannabis daily. The Even those working in research and clinical recent report on the health and wellbeing of services dealing with cannabis-related young Australians reported that cannabis problems often struggle to keep up with dependence and harmful use was the eighth the scientific literature and developments leading cause of burden of disease and injury in cannabis-related interventions. among 15–24 year olds. There is much the The Australian Government has brought NCPIC can assist with in addressing these issues. focus to the increasing problems associated In 2007–08, the centre will be developing with cannabis use by creating a new community information resources and National Cannabis Prevention and evidence-based training materials, as well Information Centre (NCPIC) whose work as workshops on motivational interventions will be to reduce demand for cannabis by among adolescent cannabis smokers. preventing uptake and minimising the harms Among adults, the greatest risks from associated with its use in the Australian regular cannabis use are dependence, mental community. This will be achieved by health problems, respiratory effects and providing the community with high-quality, reduced birth weight for the babies of evidence-based information and building the pregnant smokers. Increases in rates of capacity of service providers to respond to cannabis treatment-seeking are currently the intervention needs of cannabis users and being observed in Australia and internationally. their families. This need for greater treatment provision The National Drug and Alcohol Research will be further driven by the ageing of the Centre (NDARC) were appointed the lead cannabis smoking cohort. The 30–39 year agency for this innovative centre, which will age group is now reporting the highest levels was stoned, but with no real be located at the Randwick campus of the of daily cannabis smoking and is likely to be connection to how it had happened. University of NSW. The centre has a budget experiencing significant physical and This was a period of constant internal of around AU$12 million over four years. It psychological harms as a result of their strife and struggle. will be supported by a highly skilled advisory long-term, regular use. Seven years after my first attempt committee from a diverse range of health, For clinicians and policy makers, the law enforcement, public service and multi- increasing rates of cannabis use in Aboriginal to put pot away, I surrendered to its disciplinary academic backgrounds. and Torres Strait Islander communities is also power over me and, through treatment The centre will develop new an emerging issue. The NCPIC consortium and support, found a way of living interventions, improve access to current partners will be working on the development without my dear friend. I was given interventions and high-quality training, and of clinical guidelines for the management tools to help me live with the physical support those providing cannabis-related of cannabis use disorders in the first year of craving and mechanisms to deal with treatment to reduce harms associated with operation. In parallel, the major consortium cannabis use and to assess effectiveness. partner, the National Drug Research Institute, the overpowering mental obsession. There are some good news stories about will be working on the development of In this way, I was able to walk though cannabis, such as the very marked recent similar guidelines appropriate for Aboriginal the withdrawal that dragged on for reduction in use among Australian secondary and Torres Strait Islander communities in many months. school students from 32 percent in 1996 to primary health care settings. Ten years on and the veil that is my 14 percent in 2004. This is reinforced by the The centre is currently consulting on its relationship with cannabis has been reduction in lifetime use of cannabis among 2007–2010 strategic plan and is recruiting 14–19 year olds in the National Drugs Strategy’s a director. lifted. I am now able to see what I was Household Surveys over a similar period (down like to the world and how I had short- from 45 percent in 1998 to 25.5 percent in Jan Copeland, Acting Director, NCPIC changed myself by living that 2004). These developments suggest prevention and Richard P. Mattick, Director, NDARC shrouded existence. messages in schools and the community are (http://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au). I have watched others close to me being taken up by young people. go along a similar path, and I’ve felt sad and powerless to help. But there has also been gladness that I am finally free of that grey, clouded, smoky world.

To contact Michael about his story, please email [email protected].

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 15 The point of prison needle exchange

“Give needles to inmates” was the Dominion Post’s provocative headline when reporting on our “Alcohol and other drugs in the criminal justice system” policy, and a proposed Australian prison needle exchange has just been sunk after media controversy. We answer some questions behind the controversy.

Needle exchange programmes (NEPs) Inmates who acquire blood-borne started as a public health response to diseases in prison take them back to high rates of HIV infection among their families and communities on injecting drug users within the general release. Prison needle exchanges population. aim to stop both the spread of Within the prison population, communicable diseases among however, rates of blood-borne diseases, prisoners and the consequent spread including HIV, hepatitis C and other to the community. viruses, occur at a greater ratio. If it’s a public health measure, why The reason why is obvious. There is is needle exchange so controversial? a higher rate of imprisonment among Prison needle exchanges are an injecting drug users. No country has admission that drugs can’t be kept out yet been able to stop prisoners using of prisons, which goes against the drugs, especially those with existing “zero-tolerance” approach of most addictions. prisons systems. Opponents also claim While New Zealand has well- that they encourage inmates to start developed methods for reducing the using drugs and may undermine efforts supply of drugs in prisons, 15 percent to get prisoners into treatment. of prisoners still had positive drug Which countries have a prison needle tests in 2006. A recent New Zealand exchange, and how does it work? study of community needle exchange Switzerland was the first country to clients found 25 percent had been start in 1992, followed by Germany in imprisoned in the last year, and 40 1994 and Spain in 1997. Eastern percent of that group had continued to European countries such as Moldavia inject while in prison. Eighty percent and Armenia have recently introduced of those who had been in prison tested them to stem the rising rate of HIV, positive for hepatitis C exposure, and Scotland is considering a pilot. compared to 60 percent of those who Perhaps the most unexpected country had never been imprisoned. to start prison needle exchange is Iran.

16 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance

In some prisons, medical staff What makes prison needle Too many of our nation’s exchange equipment; others have exchange work? high and middle schools vending machines, where prisoners The review identified key elements have become marijuana insert used syringes and new ones are that make prison-based exchanges marts and pill palaces… released, along with other safe effective. Some of these are: injection equipment. Generally, ■ connecting the needle exchange sale and possession is prisoners register with a programme to comprehensive harm-reduction as much a part of the and receive secure boxes in which to services, including education on curriculum as math or store their equipment. blood-borne viruses, and English… For many of our Do prison needle exchanges make substitution therapy middle and high school a difference? ■ consulting with and educating students, school days have prison staff about needle exchange Researchers have monitored prison become school daze. NEPs over more than a decade. A 2006 services Joseph A Califano, Jr, Chairman of international review concluded that ■ making sure exchange services are the National Center on Addiction and prison needle exchanges: confidential and easily accessible – for instance, having several access Substance Abuse (CASA) comments on ■ do not lead to increased drug use points inside a prison a report surveying American attitudes ■ do not undermine abstinence-based to substance abuse. drug treatment programmes ■ evaluating pilot programmes to be sure services are effective and meet ■ reduce risk behaviours, prevent disease transmission and otherwise prisoners’ needs. improve the health of prisoners CASA might better be who inject drugs. described as the National The review specifically studied Center for the Abuse of whether greater availability of needles Statistical Analysis. caused more needle-stick injuries and Media and drug expert Maia Szalavitz more cases of injecting equipment remains sceptical about the CASA report being used as weapons. when it contradicts larger federal surveys The case of a NSW prison officer that have found declines in student drug dying from HIV/AIDS in 1991, use during the same period. following a deliberate needle stabbing, was raised in Australia as an argument against needle exchange in a new Drugs such as P may Canberra prison. However, the review be the cause of a dramatic found no cases of needles being used as weapons in any prison using needle increase in the number of exchange. Swiss prison wardens said teen violence crimes. that, since needles were not being Justice Minister Mark Burton hypothesises hidden from staff, accidents during on the rising trend in youth offending. cell searches had stopped. The Minister cited no evidence to support his claim.

Finding out more I suspect they were getting CANADA Prison Needle Exchange: Lessons from a Comprehensive Review of stuff to sell for money or International Evidence and Experience, by the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, can drugs – that’s what a lot of be found at www.aidslaw.ca/Maincontent/issues/prisons/pnep/PNEP-report06.pdf. burglars would do. It’s a real The World Health Organization’s Europe Status Paper on Prisons, Drugs and problem in New Zealand. Harm Reduction (2005) can be found at www.euro.who.int/document/e85877.pdf. National Party Leader John Key catches AUSTRALIA Prisons, hepatitis C and harm minimisation, a 2007 paper by Michael Levy and others in the Medical Journal of Australia, reviews evidence and current Australian Minister Burton’s bug when hypothesising practice. See www.mja.com.au/public/issues/186_12_180607/lev11089_fm.html. about the burglary of his home.

continued on page 19

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 17 Guest Editorial

A new blue line? Harm minimisation and police law reform

Policing legislation is under the spotlight. Mike Webb highlights alcohol and other drug related issues that have been explored as part of the government’s review and foreshadows what may feature in a draft bill later this year.

How might modern legislation enable Act 1989 to allow police to issue liquor licensed premises pay for extra New Zealand’s police service to infringement notices to minors using policing. One scheme cited was minimise substance-related harm? fake IDs to illegally gain entry to Operation Tranquillity in Stockton, This was one of many questions put licensed premises, rather than where 20 pubs, clubs and off-licences forward as part of a major government requiring such cases to be dealt with contribute an average of £80 a week review of the 1958 Police Act, through time-consuming and costly (depending on their size and opening underway for the last year and a half. summons procedures. Another option times) for an extra sergeant and four The scope of the review has been highlighted was whether liquor ban constables to help manage issues broad, with a range of issues debated. by-law breaches should be made associated with an inner-city Readers may be interested to learn just infringement offences under the entertainment precinct. how wide-ranging some of the thinking Local Government Act 2002. Seeking to apply the “polluter pays” has been about alcohol and other drug principle, it was also pointed out that Pushing the (fiscal) envelope United Kingdom legislation allows for related topics. The Police Act Review Issues the designation of “alcohol disorder Testing the waters Papers also sought comments on future zones”, within which licensed For example, in last year’s Police funding scenarios. For instance, it was premises are required to make Act Review Issues Papers, views were noted there are precedents overseas weighted contributions to the costs invited on whether police should be where direct financial contributions of policing alcohol-related crime and able to respond to a greater number of are made to police forces on a disorder. The Issues Papers asked low-level liquor offences using on-the- negotiated basis. In the United whether there was enthusiasm to spot infringement notices. Options Kingdom, for example, there are translate such levy-based models to included amending the Sale of Liquor several voluntary schemes where New Zealand.

18 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance

Casting forward police station. While a regularly-used I’m Prince Tomohito, The national conversation on policing power, 37A sits oddly in a the alcoholic. policing invited through last year’s statute aimed at treating people with Prince Tomohito, a cousin of Japanese Issues Papers was continued in May substance use disorders, rather than Emperor Akihito and sixth in line to the 2007, with the release of Policing ensuring the safety of those who may Chrysanthemum Throne, addressing a have just abused alcohol or other drugs Directions in New Zealand for the 21st welfare organisation in the city of Sendai. on one occasion. Century. This discussion paper began There is a strong stigma attached to By contrast, it seems unlikely the to focus in on concrete options for new alcoholism in Japan and disclosures by bill leading to a new Policing Act will policing legislation. public figures are rare. Tomohito has been include a new preventative power to An analysis of the views registered undergoing treatment at the Imperial request people to “move on”, and any on this consultation document was Palace in Tokyo. released at the end of August 2007 progress in this area is likely to occur and, at the time of writing, a series through other channels. In this regard, of detailed policy papers are being some inspiration might be taken from Notwithstanding the fact recent moves in England and Wales, prepared for Cabinet on the shape that I had had too much to and content of a new policing bill. where section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 provides drink, I have no recollection While final decisions are still to be of any incident occurring at made based on responses to the Policing constables with the power to direct an Directions discussion paper, some individual aged 16 or over to leave a the nightclub – or of being features of the new bill seem to have locality, and prohibit their return for asked to leave. been settled. These include matters up to 48 hours (punishable on refusal Australian Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd by a fine of up to £2,500). This power that may be of particular interest to on his New York strip club visit. Rudd’s is specifically designed to apply where the alcohol and other drug sector. drunken antics caused a big stir across the a person’s presence is likely to cause or For instance, there seems to be ditch, and seemed to increase his polling. contribute to alcohol-related crime or broad support for weaving section 37A New Zealand politicians fell over disorder. In effect, the United Kingdom of the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction themselves to admit their strip club visits, legislation allows frontline police to Act 1966 into a new Policing Act. including National leader John Key, ACT diffuse situations before they result in This provision empowers constables to leader Rodney Hide, and Economic serious offending. take anyone found publicly drunk or Development Minister Trevor Mallard. debilitated from other drug use to their Perfecting the new legislation home, a detoxification facility, or a The introduction to Parliament of a policing bill, expected late this year, Wastewater facilities will offer another chance for input on are wonderful places to the legislative arrangements for understand what humans policing. This is a once-in-50-years consume and excrete. opportunity. While it has been Oregon university scientists run gratifying how many voices from the “community drug tests” on sewerage alcohol and other drug sector have wastewater: caffeine was most regularly already been heard in the Police Act found; and ecstasy were common Review, the process of law reform will on weekends and methamphetamine was be even stronger if others also have found consistently during the week. their say. For those wishing to learn more, copies of all key background We cannot go out and documents, including Cabinet shoot someone or put lip papers and minutes of decisions, are available on a dedicated website – clamps on smokers. www.policeact.govt.nz. New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent admits enforcement of the new region- Mike Webb is a member of the Police Act wide smokefree ban in parks and reserves Review Team based at Police National will be difficult. Headquarters. He previously held the role of strategic adviser on drugs and alcohol. continued on page 21

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 19 It’s doing your brain in

When we think about alcohol and brain injury, we tend to think of trauma (assaults, drink-driving, falls…). However, a much more insidious form of brain injury should be added to this list. Christine Rogan introduces ARBI, the hidden and silent epidemic researchers warn is just around the corner.

Alcohol-related brain impairment from difficulty with balance and (ARBI) can result from regular heavy coordination to a range of medical or “binge” drinking, a common pattern and neurological disorders. of behaviour for young and old, male Alcohol impairs brain function and female New Zealanders alike. by its direct toxic and dehydrating Everyone who regularly drinks at or effect on cells in the central nervous above recommended upper limits risks system, as well as through changes to some level of brain impairment, metabolism, heart function and blood

20 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance supply, and by interfering with brain impairment resulting from Politicians just fiddle absorption of essential nutrients. chronic alcohol consumption. While with the classifications of In the current “binge-friendly” there is some general awareness of substances, moving them environment where heavy alcohol alcohol’s negative effects on the brain, up or down the rankings consumption is normalised and only now are studies using functional common across the age spectrum, as though they were running neuroimaging beginning to reveal more a hotel guide. an epidemic of ARBI is predicted, fully the processes that underlie and it is not hard to see why. functional impairment. Journalist Peter Wilby describes the United Kingdom’s Misuse of Drugs Act as one of Individual drinking patterns A Melbourne-based organisation, become established in adolescence, the least effective pieces of legislation ever Alcohol Related Brain Injury and the recent trend has been towards enacted. When the law was introduced in Australian Services Ltd (ARBIAS) is heavy drinking starting much earlier 1971, there were 10,000 problematic drug working to shed some light on the and more regularly than for previous users; now there are nearly 300,000. subject in this part of the world. Its generations. This shift is particularly recent campaign, A Hangover for Life, noticeable for young women, who may be more susceptible than males to the included a poll that found one in eight The government would neuro-toxic effects of alcohol that Australians are drinking at levels that continue its hard line against place them at risk of ARBI, but most drugs and would never are unaware of that risk. adopt a harm minimisation ARBI is a hidden and silent approach. epidemic. Brain damage begins long Australian Prime Minister John Howard before any symptoms emerge and may stands firm against harm minimisation. already be irreversible before drinkers His comments contrast with the 400-plus are aware they are affected Australian alcohol and drug sector Extrapolating from New Zealand organisations and leaders who have signed drinking behaviour data, ARBIAS a petition supporting harm minimisation. researchers say as many as 800,000 New Zealanders may be at risk of ARBI – an even higher rate than for Australia’s harm Australians. They predict that, in the minimisation strategy next 10 years, treatment providers and focuses on both licit and other services will be swamped with illicit drugs and includes sufferers of alcohol-related problems. preventing anticipated New Zealand will shortly have an harm and reducing actual opportunity to learn more about ARBI harm. Harm minimisation and its implications. ARBIAS, in is consistent with a Individual drinking association with Alcohol Healthwatch, comprehensive approach is presenting a two-day programme – patterns become to drug-related harm. Recognising and responding to established in adolescence Australian Prime Minister John Howard’s alcohol-related brain injury. This will Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy and the recent trend has provide New Zealand professionals been towards heavy outlines its view of harm minimisation. working in health, justice, social Members mustn’t have read the memo. drinking… services, research and the community with a unique opportunity to understand ARBI more fully, including The only excuse to be cause brain damage, according to new its implications, social consequences unemployed at the moment studies. If alcohol is consumed during and key intervention strategies. is if you are into drugs and pregnancy, the process of alcohol- For more information visit alcohol. related brain damage and tendency www.ahw.co.nz and www.arbias.org.au towards ARBI begin even earlier. Social commentator Christine Rankin According to USA-based researcher offers her simple explanation of Christine Rogan is the Health Promotion New Zealand’s rates of child abuse. Kristine Wiren, everyone should be Advisor of Alcohol Healthwatch. concerned at the risk of permanent continued on page 24 www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 21 Opinion

Seeing past the smoke

With an estimated 1,100 million regular smokers in the world today and one related death every 10 seconds, tobacco is among the world’s most used and dangerous drugs. Ann McNeill and Jamie Bridge suggest how harm reduction philosophy could replace the usual global ‘quit or die’ response.

In recent years, there have been developing world, where the epidemic many successful interventions and is still at an early stage, the toll of campaigns around the world to reduce tobacco-related mortality and or prevent tobacco consumption. In the morbidity will be unprecedented in UK, price increases, marketing bans, years to come. If current patterns sales restrictions, warnings on continue, an estimated 10 million packaging, nationwide smoking people will die every year as a result cessation campaigns, and education of their habit by 2020. Something has in schools have helped to gradually to be done to reduce the harms faced reduce the prevalence of cigarette by those who continue smoking – consumption. It is anticipated that we cannot simply disregard and new smokefree legislation across the condemn them. UK will have an additional impact. To address this issue, the However, there is still a significant International Harm Reduction population in every country who are Association (IHRA) made a strategic either unable or unwilling to stop decision to broaden its scope from smoking, and they are often people illicit drugs to all psychoactive from the most deprived areas or substances, including tobacco and groups. In many countries in the alcohol. Harm reduction is an

22 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz approach widely applied to illicit drug “reduced tar” cigarettes, which are particular, which is generally known use, which explicitly accepts the deceptively marketed in many as ‘snus’, is significantly less harmful continued use of substances and aims countries as “mild” or “light”. Cigarette than smoking (but not harmless). There to reduce associated harms. For illicit manufacturers often comply with tar are also products that heat, rather drugs, this can involve providing reducing legislation by making than burn, tobacco – such as Eclipse, sterile injecting equipment, safe cosmetic changes to their products, which is marketed in the USA as a substitute treatments, outreach and such as adding more ventilation holes safer alternative to conventional peer support, or advice on how to to the filters. Many smokers turn to cigarettes. The role of these products use drugs as safely as possible. For these brands rather than quitting but as part of a tobacco harm reduction tobacco, however, this approach has then alter the way they smoke in order strategy has enjoyed much debate so far received little attention. to compensate for the reduction in within the tobacco control community. nicotine. They take more and deeper Some tobacco control experts argue puffs, smoke right down to the butt, that smokers need to be informed or cover the holes on the filters. about the different options available to Some experts argue that the While these cigarettes pass the them and the associated levels of risk availability of less harmful standard machine operated regulatory in order to make informed consumer tobacco products will simply tests, they fail to account for such choices. However, Sweden is currently maintain people’s tobacco use behavioural changes, and it is widely the only European country that allows when they otherwise would accepted that these products have had the supply of snus, thanks to special have quit. limited (if any) positive health impacts. dispensation from the European In the spirit of harm reduction, Union, which has outlawed smokeless the tobacco industry and tobacco tobacco in the rest of the continent. regulators are negligent if they do not Significantly, Sweden currently has the The premise behind the tobacco do all within their powers to make lowest rates of lung cancer and harm reduction approach is that most cigarettes less harmful. This may cigarette mortality in Europe and is the tobacco use is underpinned by include designing cigarettes less likely only European nation to achieve the dependence on nicotine. However, to cause accidental fires and regulating World Health Organization’s target for it is not the nicotine that causes most or changing harmful ingredients added reduced per capita cigarette use. of the harm, but rather some of the for taste or smoothness. On the flipside, some experts argue other 4,000 constituents of cigarette One alternative to cigarettes is that the availability of less harmful smoke, of which 60 are known smokeless tobacco, which is currently tobacco products will simply maintain carcinogens. Drawing an analogy with used around the world in a range of people’s tobacco use when they illicit drug use, the cigarette is the forms – from the high-risk smokeless otherwise would have quit. equivalent of the “dirty syringe”. products used across South Asia, There’s also harm reducing Consideration therefore needs to be through the fermented and medium- alternatives to tobacco itself, such as given to separating the drug from the risk products in the USA and Canada, the increasingly diverse range of delivery system. to the much lower-risk products used nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). Cigarettes are the most dominant in Sweden. There is a growing These include such products as global tobacco product – highly recognition that the latter product in nicotine gum, patches, nasal spray, engineered and sophisticated devices designed to deliver nicotine efficiently to the human body. They are also the Researching the case for tobacco harm reduction most dangerous and eventually kill IHRA has an online collection of the themselves. It demonstrates how the harm about half of those who regularly use “50 Best” key documents on tobacco harm reduction ideology can be applied outside them. Although there will never be reduction. The aim is to provide a free the traditional illicit drug remit. It also shows a truly “safe” cigarette, it may resource centre to highlight the evidence how the current tobacco policies and theoretically be possible to design base, reasoning and justification for tobacco strategies are failing a significant proportion one that is less harmful. harm reduction. of smokers and condemning them to potentially reducible risks. Cigarettes are virtually unregulated With this collection, IHRA hopes to improve in that little attention is paid to what international awareness of tobacco harm The “50 Best” collection on tobacco harm goes into them, or what comes out. reduction approaches. The collection is aimed reduction is now available and fully One exception to this (highlighted in at anybody interested in this field – including searchable on the IHRA website – policy makers, advocates and smokers www.ihra.net. the IHRA collection – see box) is www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 23 Quotes of Substance

He sorts me out. When I get self-destructive, I just need to spend time with my dad. Rehab is a cop-out. Singer Amy Winehouse doesn’t join the growing list of celebrities checking into rehab. Instead she seeks support from her family following a “terrifying” drug overdose.

Touché – you got me. “Fair cop” says Jacqui Dean MP in a note to drug policy minister Jim Anderton, who had earlier rejected Dean’s enquiry about banning dihydrogen monoxide; a point he took pleasure in raising during the It is not the nicotine that causes most of the harm Parliamentary debate on party pills. but rather some of the other 4,000 constituents of cigarette smoke, of which 60 are known carcinogens. Drawing an analogy with illicit drug use, the cigarette The only thing I could is the equivalent of the “dirty syringe”. think was to stop, drop and roll because I was on fire.

A witness in the trial of Tristian Grant for inhalators, tablets and lozenges, As with harm reduction the manslaughter of Thomas Hillman, who and are widely available for purchase interventions for any psychoactive died from the inhalation of hot gas into and prescription. They have no known substance, the key factors are his lungs. The Crown says it was Beckett long-term adverse health effects and information, choice, coverage and who lit the lighter in a car filled with are therefore potential substitutes accessibility. None of the products or LPG causing the explosion that killed for cigarettes that address the nicotine interventions mentioned in this article his friend. Beckett denies a charge of dependency underlying most is designed to stand alone – they death by arson and a second charge of tobacco use. should all be seen as part of a collective using a cigarette lighter without the In a harm reduction regime, NRTs approach that sits alongside cessation, necessary precautions mandated to can play a key in reducing the levels prevention and exposure reduction protect human life. of death and disease attributed to strategies (in the same way that harm smoking. They can be used alongside reduction for illicit drug use can sit existing efforts to help people stop I’d just get out there and alongside demand and supply smoking, and reduce harm to non- reduction approaches). If smokers want to tackle every player smokers from passive smoking. cannot be convinced to quit, they on the other team and give However, NRTs are relatively could at least be encouraged to reduce them a big kiss. The scrums expensive, largely unavailable to the risks they face (and the risks others were the best bit, though. smokers in the developing world face) with the help of products such as They’re like a massive and much more tightly regulated long-term and regulated smokeless group hug. than cigarettes. tobacco products. Many public health and tobacco Footballer Andrew Johns admits to policy experts argue that a single, Ann McNeill is a Professor in Health Policy and using ecstasy while playing and to combined regulatory framework is Promotion at the University of Nottingham; finding the experience a not altogether needed for all tobacco and nicotine Jamie Bridge is the Communications and Project unpleasant one. products. Having such a policy in Development Officer for the International place would create a level playing field Harm Reduction Association. This article was first published in the April 2007 edition of where cleaner nicotine products could Drink and Drug News (www.drinkanddrugs.net). replace cigarettes as the dominant form Reprinted with permission. of nicotine delivery.

24 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz New Zealand News

MP tries to ban water and by paying some of their own bills. Mayor Peter Chin said One of the team’s regular sponsors is that, as far as he was concerned, the Otago MP Jacqui Dean felt “a bit of a wally” after it was revealed she tried to booze giant Lion Nathan. event was “history”. “Not for a year ban water. or so – for ever,” he said. University The MP was set up by three Act Undie 500 future uncertain of Canterbury Students’ Association president Belinda Bundy said Ensoc and National supporters unhappy The “Undie 500” university student had to “look very closely” at whether with her position on party pills. car rally from to the event should continue. Inspector When they had earlier asked her how Dunedin ended again in problems Alastair Dickie of the Dunedin police she reconciled her stance with the when celebrations became “drunken said police wanted an end to the National Party’s principles of mayhem” in student-central Undie 500. “individual freedom and choice”, she North Dunedin. However, Ensoc secretary Theo van replied, “Take a chill pill.” Dissatisfied About 150 decorated cars from de Wetering warned, “If they try and with her response, they wrote back the Canterbury University Engineering stop Ensoc holding it, the students will to her claiming to be constituents Students’ Society (Ensoc) had driven probably keep it going themselves and concerned about the harms of to Dunedin for the annual Undie it could be a lot worse.” dihydrogen monoxide. 500 tour. She took their concerns to Drug Over 50 people were arrested on Policy Minister Jim Anderton, asking a variety of charges, including 10 for First reading for party pill bill him, “Does the Expert Advisory rioting. The bill to ban BZP, the active Committee on Drugs have a view Senior Sergeant Gavin Briggs said ingredient in party pills, passed its first on the banning of this drug.” the trouble started just before dark, reading in Parliament in September, He responded saying, “Thank you when students who had been drinking and was sent to the Health Select for your letter… about your constituent all day became very drunk. “Around Committee allowing one month for call for the ban on dihydrogen 5pm, some of the students started a public submissions. The Committee is monoxide. Dihydrogen monoxide big fire on Castle Street. Firefighters due to report back to Parliament this is water.” attempting to extinguish the fire were month, and the law is expected to be It is not the first time MPs have had pelted with bottles, and at 6.15pm, passed before Christmas. a brush with the hoax. In 2001, a staff students started smashing up an Drug Policy Minister Jim Anderton member in Green MP Sue Kedgley’s Undie 500 vehicle.” said there was clear evidence that the office responded to a request for Some students were throwing risks posed by party pills were support saying she would be bottles from the roofs of their flats, sufficient to ban them. “This “absolutely supportive of the campaign but one witness, Amy Joseph, 24, Parliament should vote in favour of to ban this toxic substance”. denied students were trying to hit classifying these psychoactive sub- police. “Heaps of people were stances because there is a potential for Politics, sport and booze throwing bottles at the cops from the serious side effects and even fatalities front of the student mass – heaps of associated with their use,” he said. Corrections and Alcohol Policy Minister Damien O’Connor, found bottles. I don’t think they were aiming Only the Greens and the ACT Party himself in hot water after picking a at the police officers as such, just in voted against the bill on its first suspended prison guard for the the direction of them.” Joseph agreed reading. parliamentary rugby team tour of students had “acted like a bunch of Green MP Nandor Tanczos said the France. mob idiots”, but said reports of effects of the law will be to criminalise The team, led by co-captains thousands of drunken students rioting a wide range of New Zealanders and Damien O’Connor and Murray were “a bit of an exaggeration”. boost the illegal drug market. McCully, won the parliamentary Ensoc President William Corke said Act leader Rodney Hide said, equivalent of the Rugby World Cup in he was incredibly disappointed an “We cannot sit here in this House France with a mixture of MPs, staffers, event planned over the last 10 months and legislate away all harm, as this their spouses and siblings. had been tarnished by “idiots”. Ensoc Government thinks it can. We cannot Taxpayers were able to relax would take all measures possible “to actually legislate for good behaviour, when they learned no public money crucify those people [responsible for but we can legislate in a way that was used to fund the team’s tour. the rioting] and make sure everybody protects people’s basic rights. I have to The players instead got to France knows those idiots ruined it,” he said. say that, when we go beyond that, then through a combination of sponsorship The fate of the Undie 500 student I think that this Parliament overreaches event hangs in the balance. itself. It suggests, somehow, that the www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 25 Government and this Parliament are offering them, such promotions are dose medication, It cancelled his the solution to problems that we putting young women at risk.” registration and ordered him to pay cannot solve.” costs of $1,617.25. Maori- Party MP Hone Harawira, Death and taxes Dan Erik Hansson was convicted in while speaking in support of the bill, Tauranga District Court last October of The lack of a substantial tax increase said, “Here we are pontificating and on tobacco since 2000 has prompted stealing drugs from Tauranga Hospital. prattling on about BZP and we do not public health experts to call for the In December, he was sentenced to one have the courage to do anything about tax to increase 10 percent each year year in prison and ordered to pay alcohol… We are happy to allow the for the next 10 years. This would result reparation of $3,148. high risk of harm products to continue in the current price of $10.50 for a Hansson had taken 12,000 to be sold legally in this country, and packet of cigarettes more than micrograms of fentanyl for his own use then we are going to come along and doubling to $25. over a seven-month period. He had go ‘smash’ on a product with a Tobacco control researchers say taken the drugs from a drug safe by moderate risk of harm.” lifting prices is the most proven signing the register using names of his effective way of lowering tobacco use. medical colleagues and falsifying the Free drinks off the menu The Ministry of Health agrees, saying, entries by naming deceased, Wellington bars have been told to in their five-year tobacco control plan discharged and current patients. stop giving free drinks, with Police, Clearing the Smoke, price is “probably “Such conduct is obviously illegal, ALAC and City Council officers saying the most important single intervention immoral, unethical and dishonest, and bars that do so are breaking the law. to reduce smoking initiation”. undoubtedly reflects adversely on his “Under the Sale of Liquor Act… Advocates argue the revenue raised fitness to practise,” said the tribunal. you are not allowed to do promotions from increased tax should be invested It cancelled Hansson’s registration and that encourage excessive or into quit programmes and prevention ordered him to pay $250 costs. irresponsible drinking,” said initiatives – a proposal vehemently Megan Claire Adair was convicted Wellington City Council spokesman opposed by treasury officials. in Wanganui District Court on two Richard MacLean. charges of stealing drugs and Police Liquor Licensing Officer Self-medicating nurses struck sentenced to 100 hours’ community Caroline Marner visited eight central off for theft work. Adair had taken 20mg of Wellington bars offering free drinks from Good Health Wanganui. Three nurses have been struck off and told them they were breaking the She had completed the drugs rules. She said the practice had after stealing drugs from the hospitals register but failed to give the drugs to contributed to the number of young where they worked. the patient listed and kept them for her women in varying states of The Health Practitioners own use instead. The tribunal said in intoxication she had seen walking Disciplinary Tribunal released its its report Adair’s theft was a breach of around town. decisions to strike the nurses off after trust, which led to all the workers in One bar manager, Bianca Silcock, hearings in August. her ward being brought under said offering free drinks was not Bruce William Hewson stole drugs, suspicion. responsible host behaviour, but they including morphine and fentanyl, from “Her conduct was illegal and were forced to do so after other bars Gisborne hospital. He had been taking started doing it. “Nobody wants to give the vials from a drug safe, filing off immoral and reflected adversely on away stock but we were losing our their tops and removing some of the her fitness to practise,” it said. The customers because they were getting drug with a syringe. He would then tribunal cancelled her registration as free drinks at other places.” return the vials to ensure the integrity an enrolled nurse and ordered her to Alcohol Advisory Council Chief of the inventory and inject himself in pay $1515.18 in costs. Executive Gerard Vaughan said the the buttocks with the drug. Hewson The tribunal did not indicate bars involved violated an alcohol was convicted and fined $900 on three whether the nurses had received promotions protocol agreed between drugs charges in October last year in support or treatment for their the Alcohol Advisory Council, Police Gisborne District Court. addictions. and the hospitality industry. The tribunal said in its report “The dangers are obvious; free Hewson’s offending was a serious drinks with no limits encourages breach of trust, and the offences were intoxication, and as it seems to be the carried out in a way that could have student bars, in particular, which are affected patients receiving the correct

26 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz World News

Kava restrictions anger Thai government to probe teenage drug addicts, restrictions on Fiji farmers drug war killings methadone programmes, a review of needle exchange programmes to Fiji kava farmers say they will take Thailand’s post-coup government Australia to the World Trade has re-opened an investigation into consider whether local communities Organisation over new import ousted Prime Minister Thaksin wanted them, and the withdrawal of restrictions placed on the product. Shinawatra’s war on drugs, in which funding from drug programmes that promote harm minimisation. The ban affects kava exporting more than 2,500 people were killed. Bishop said drug services countries, including Fiji, Tonga and The investigation into the two-year promoting harm minimisation should Vanuatu, and will cost Fiji growers crackdown, which was popular among be trying to get users off drugs and $AU24 million annually, says Ratu rural voters but outraged human rights would lose funding unless that was Josateki Nawalowalo, Chairman of groups, will be led by a small their aim. Fiji’s Kava Association. independent body chaired by a former The recommendations have been Federal Health Minister Tony attorney-general. It will probe deaths slammed by opposition MPs and drug Abbott says the ban on commercial that Thaksin’s government said were sector practitioners. kava imports was introduced because largely the result of drug dealers Labour MPs presented a dissenting Aboriginal communities were killing each other, but which rights report saying drug addiction was a abusing it. (Where have we heard groups said were extrajudicial police more complex issue than the report that before? – Ed.) killings. appeared to suggest, and that Thaksin, now living in exile in approaches that both minimise harm to London, launched a war on drugs in Aussie students to be drug the addict and their families, and help 2003 and won a second landslide tested? the user to become drug-free, were election victory two years later, largely The Australian National Council needed. on the back of support in the countryside. on Drugs (ANCD) has commissioned Families and Friends for Drug Law At the time, Thailand, once a major research into whether Australian Reform said the report flagrantly supplier of heroin, was awash with schools need drug detection and disregarded existing evidence and methamphetamines made across the screening as part of an education research. “This report… is a road map border in Myanmar. strategy to help reduce drug use. to disaster that would bring untold The war on drugs cut supply and ANCD boss Gino Vumbuca said the harm and misery on young people and pushed up prices for a while, but research would provide advice on a the Australian community,” President business has returned to normal, range of possible initiatives for schools, Brian McConnell said. “It is a disgrace anti-drug agencies say. but warned, “There are implications that a committee of our National At the time of his drug war, Thaksin about testing kids on a mandatory Parliament should display the said, “Drug traders are ruthless to our basis. It may act as a deterrent in some ignorance that it has done and close children, so being ruthless back to cases, but it also breaks down bonds of its mind to reason and science.” them is not a big thing… It may be trust in other cases, and that may have Dr Alex Wodak, Director of necessary to have casualties.” longer-term effects.” Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital’s Response to the idea has been Alcohol and Drug Service, said the lukewarm. Education Minister Mark Children of addicts should report’s contents were frightening. McGowan said he would look at the be adopted out “It’s a disaster as public policy,” he proposal but suspects it is unworkable. An Australian parliamentary said. Dr Wodak described the report as “Schools are there to educate, not to inquiry into the impact of drug use on political posturing, saying Parliament act as police.” families has recommended children be would dissolve within weeks when The Australian Secondary taken away permanently from drug- the election was called, and the next Principals Association President said addicted parents. government would not have to the prospect of mandatory random Chair of the inquiry Liberal MP consider the report. drug tests in schools would horrify Bronwyn Bishop said such parents CEO of Family Drug Support Tony most teachers. “I’m not of the view that would not be able to get the children Trimingham says the proposals will we should be randomly drug testing back, even if they became drug free alienate users and not address the students, because it sends the wrong at a later stage. issue. “They’ve ignored the pleas of messages. The way to get that message The inquiry also recommended families who have said we need to across is through education rather than random drug testing of teachers and keep our children alive, we need to fear of being caught.” nurses, compulsory treatment for keep them supported,” he said. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 27 President of Hepatitis Australia revenues to support needle exchanges. illness may have a common cause, and Helen McNeill said the measures The ban has been in force for nine are calling for more research on the recommended by the committee years, despite the fact that Washington causal pathways between them. “would almost certainly lead to an has one of the highest HIV infection increase in incidence of hepatitis C rates in the US. As many as one in 50 Andrew Johns and could ultimately cost lives”. DC residents are HIV positive, and “Who would’ve thought a footballer about a third of new HIV cases each would be anything but a moral year are caused by syringes passed Sniffer dog could have become paragon?” asked one Newcastle among drug users. In the absence of double agent Knights fan following Andrew “Joey” supported programmes, small A highly-trained sniffer dog Johns’ revelation he had taken drugs volunteer services have been operating. kidnapped in a brazen daylight swap during his playing career. Opponents in the debate described operation has been re-united with his In a confession after his arrest in needle exchange as “subsidising police handlers. London for possessing an ecstasy heroin use”. By contrast, the District Rex IV is part of Mexico’s Special tablet, Johns said he had regularly of Columbia’s Health Director said, Canine Unit, set up to hunt gangs used illegal substances to help battle “It’s a chance to interact with people to smuggling drugs into the US. Police depression and “ran the gauntlet” do HIV and hepatitis testing and make with drugs testers. feared the dog had been seized by a the appropriate referrals to detox. It’s a Johns’ admission raised questions criminal cartel who would use him to chance to interact with folks and do a about the AFL’s drug testing policy and test new ways of concealing drugs. number of good things.” whether elite footballers were more Security sources had compared The US Government ban on using likely to take drugs than anybody else. his abduction to “kidnapping an federal money to support needle Not really, say the experts. Pippa intelligence agent”, fearing his exchanges stands. knowledge of police anti-drug tactics Grange, the AFL Players’ Association psychologist, sees hundreds of players would be mined by his criminal Tobacco and mental health captors. each year for a variety of problems. He was snatched from Mexico City For those concerned at the mental Some of them struggle with drug Airport as he was being transported to health effects of cannabis, here’s issues, she says, but not to any greater take part in a raid in the northern state something new to add to the mix. extent than other young men. of Sinaloa. The thieves left a black Dutch researchers have found an Professor Nick Crofts, from the drug mongrel puppy in his travel cage, association between smoking tobacco and alcohol research organisation meaning the abduction was not and the onset of mental illness. Turning Point, says all the available noticed until the plane arrived at its It’s well known that the smoking research shows AFL players abuse destination. rate is high among people with mental drugs less than other groups of young Rex IV, a Belgian Malinois illness. However, it’s so far been men. “The rate of use of illicit drugs sheepdog who has had a paw in many unclear whether smoking contributes in the cohort of AFL footballers is of Mexico’s largest drug seizures, was to developing mental illness, or substantially lower than their matched whether people with mental illness cohort in the general population,” yesterday found tied to a tree in park may use tobacco for “self-medication”. he says. in one of Mexico City’s roughest The study, reported in Addiction There are several reasons for this. neighbourhoods, five days after his August 2007, followed over 7,000 adults AFL players are given far more drug disappearance. He is said to be in good for three years. People who smoked at education than the average young man, condition despite his ordeal. the beginning of the study, but had no are generally more concerned with Two employees at the company, in previous mental illness, had a higher diet, fitness and other issues that affect charge of transporting him and other risk of developing anxiety disorder, their performance, and are aware that police dogs, have been arrested. dysthymia (a form of depression) and they will be tested. alcohol abuse over the three years than Crofts says he has been disgusted A long time coming those who didn’t smoke. The risk by the media reporting around drugs “Funding finally available for needle remained even when other factors that in football and found the criticism of exchange.” It might not seem all that might increase the risk of developing the AFL policy hard to understand. radical to New Zealanders, but it was mental illness were ruled out. “Why are we treating the AFL as if it is big news in the US when the House of However, the researchers aren’t an arm of law enforcement?” he asks. Representatives voted for a bill lifting a rushing to judgement yet. They think “When did we cross that line? That’s ban on Washington DC using its own tax it’s possible that smoking and mental what police are for.”

28 matters of substance November 07 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Mythbusters

Hard time and hard numbers

Exactly how much do problems with alcohol and other drugs contribute to crime? And how do we know? We thought it was a good opportunity to bust a myth – or at least take a closer look at the numbers in our own recent story.

Last issue’s cover story, Rehabilitating Corrections’ “criminogenic needs more substances while free, but were our criminal justice system, started inventory” (“criminogenic needs” not dependent, had committed 3.3 with, “It is said up to 80 percent of can be loosely translated as “factors crimes a week. Those dependent on New Zealand’s crime is alcohol and contributing to offending that need to drugs and/or alcohol had committed drug-related, and about half of all be addressed”). Prisoners’ alcohol and around seven crimes a week. offenders are using at least one drug drug dependency data is from the 1999 However, it is not as simple as at the time of their arrest.” So far, so National Study of Psychiatric Morbidity saying, “drugs contribute to crime”. clear. But depending on what you read, in New Zealand Prisons. Different drugs are linked to you might also find that: One reason that the figures differ is different kinds of crime, and while ■ “Around 60 per cent of all prisoners that one – 60 percent – refers to being the media and public focus on illicit are affected by drug use at the time affected at the time the offence was drugs, in fact, the strongest established of their offending.” committed, while the larger number – drug-crime association is with alcohol. ■ “The Corrections Department says 89 percent – is about alcohol or drug The Canadian research is typical, 89 percent of serious offenders use in the period leading up to the finding that, with the exception of were affected by drugs and/or offence. “gainful crimes” such as burglary, the alcohol in the period leading to The remaining question is, what highest proportion of crimes were their offences.” evidence is there that alcohol and connected to alcohol, or to alcohol ■ “83.4 percent of inmates… have a drug use contribute to offending? and other drugs combined, with much substance abuse or dependence Corrections’ view is supported by lower proportions connected to illicit diagnosis.” the evidence. Studies worldwide have drug use. In general, alcohol So: 60, 80 or 89 percent? And is it just found a high proportion of people consumption is connected to crimes drugs, or drugs and alcohol, affecting convicted of crimes have alcohol or of violence, while dependence on offenders? drug abuse or dependence. At the illicit drugs is connected to crimes As might be expected, different same time, people with substance use for profit. research produces different results. problems have much higher rates of So while the numbers you come The figure cited inMatters of criminal activity than the general across may differ a little depending Substance came from a 2005 speech population. on the source, it doesn’t mean the by Corrections’ Chief Executive Barry That drug use influences criminal relationship between drugs and crime Matthews. The figure of 60 percent, activity has been known since the is a myth. The correlation is widely quoted by ministers, comes 1980s, when studies of “career addicts” demonstrably present and significant. from unpublished research cited in found criminal activity was higher So, if we tackle addiction, do we a 2006 Cabinet paper stating that, when they were more dependent, and reduce crime and re-offending? “Between 50 and 60 percent of lower in periods of low or no drug use. The Drug Foundation thinks so. offenders were affected by alcohol As Canadian researchers found in See www.drugfoundation.org.nz/ and/or other drugs at the time of their 2002, the difference can be dramatic. criminal-justice-solutions. offending.” Prisoners who had not used drugs or References to “89 percent of serious alcohol during a six-month period in For a full list of references used by offenders” originate from a 1998 report freedom reported an average 1.7 crimes Mythbusters, visit www.drugfoundation.org.nz. called A Seein’ “I” to the Future, on a week. Inmates who had used one or www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance November 07 29 www.drugfoundation.org.nz

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