Drug use and social policy at the UN Cannabis law reform’s happy failure A hangover epiphany Cheaper than water? February 2011

Sport under the influence Alcohol industry sponsorship has been a gold mine for sport in New Zealand, so much so that many clubs say they couldn’t survive without it. But what has been the cost to the codes, the players and the general public of alcohol’s high profile wherever we compete? Contents

matters of substance February 2011 Features Vol 21 No 1 ISSN 1177-200X 02 Cover Story 26 Drugs and development 30 Opinion matters of substance is published by the Sport under the influence – joining the dots The debate down at NZ Drug Foundation. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part Goodbye Blue Monday of it may be reproduced without prior Where better to talk about permission of the NZ Drug Foundation. alcohol law reform than at the pub? Christchurch matters of substance invites feedback and contributions. If you’re interested in CAYAD co-ordinator contributing a guest editorial or article, Mike Moss reports on how please contact us: an organised debate went [email protected] Illicit drug use and trafficking p +64 4 801 6303 Sponsoring and down with the locals. responsibility have a severe and destructive effect upon development. 37 Mythbusters Brand development/graphic design Across the country, sports This article examines the Origin Design +64 4 801 6644 clubrooms have been the Is alcohol cheaper [email protected] UN’s struggle to marry drug social glue of many a than bottled water? www.origindesign.co.nz control initiatives with community. But as New Zealand research got policy that also fosters New Zealand’s binge-drinking tongues wagging around NZ Drug Foundation health and human rights 3rd Floor, 111 Dixon Street culture has grown ever the world by claiming some in developing nations. PO Box 3082, Wellington, New Zealand more unsophisticated, the alcohol costs less than p +64 4 801 6303 relationship between alcohol bottled water. Surely that and sport has thrown up can’t be true, can it? When you have finished with some uncomfortable truths. Regulars this magazine, please recycle it. Our culture of 01 The Director’s Cut News sporting excess Become a member Executive Director Ross Bell After several high-profile describes how stonewalling 01 Key Events and Dates The NZ Drug Foundation has been and embarrassing cases of Bolivian coca leaf law at the heart of major alcohol and involving athletes and Our list of coming reform shows zero-tolerance conferences and events other drug policy debates for over alcohol, many are beginning is alive and well at the UN. 20 years. During that time, we have to question the place has your professional development well in hand. demonstrated a strong commitment alcohol plays in our sporting 22 Guest Editorial to advocating policies and practices culture. Could things be Two Drinks Max New Zealand News based on the best evidence available. changing for the better? 32

You can help us. A key strength of the The proposition NZ Drug Foundation lies in its diverse 16 membership base. As a member of the Cannabis law reform NZ Drug Foundation, you will receive supporters’ hopes were information about major alcohol and dashed with the defeat of other drug policy challenges. You can also get involved in our work to find solutions Proposition 19 during the mid-term elections in to those challenges. Sunday Herald Editor Bryce California, but they’re still Here’s a round-up of Johns explains the reasons Our membership includes health pleased with the result. New Zealand news concerning promoters, primary health and behind the Two Drinks Max tobacco, drugs and booze. community organisations, researchers, 24 Hello Sunday morning campaign and suggests students, schools and boards of trustees, New Zealanders can expect 35 World News policy makers, and addiction treatment to see more of this sort agencies and workers. of thing. Membership and subscription enquiries [email protected] 20 Viewpoints or visit our website. Should cannabis be on WADA’s banned substances list? www.drugfoundation.org.nz We talk with Chris Raine, a In our second segment remarkable young Australian Keeping up to date’s a looking objectively at both whose innovative and breeze with our drug news sides of a contentious issue, courageous online programme from overseas. we consider whether is helping many question dope-smoking athletes and overcome the 17 Quotes of Substance should be disciplined. We prominence of alcohol in Please enjoy our leave you to decide between their daily lives and culture. presentation of recent competing arguments. drug-related quotations. matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The Director’s Cut Key Events and Dates

FebFast 6th International Conference February, Nationwide on Drugs and Young People FebFast is an alcohol awareness 2–4 May, Melbourne, Australia campaign born in Australia and Themed ‘Making the Connections’, now under way for the first time in the conference will examine the New Zealand. Ordinary New Zealanders complexity and interaction of factors taking part are challenged to forgo that influence young people’s lives alcohol during February to raise and will celebrate the role young funds for programmes helping to people play in addressing harm. reduce alcohol and other drug-related www.adf.org.au Bolivian President by chewing... not only is harms among young people. www.febfast.org.nz Evo Morales was a class act thoroughly noxious and Youth Week 21–29 May, Nationwide when he chewed a coca leaf therefore detrimental, but 4th International Conference on Youth Week 2011 will be held once at the 2009 UN High Level also is the cause of racial Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder again in the last week of May. Youth Session on drugs. degeneration... Our studies 2–5 March, Vancouver, Canada Week 2011 is a 9-day week so more He was announcing will confirm the certainty of This conference will provide an weekend days are available for Youth advanced forum for emerging Week fun! Bolivia’s wish to abolish our assertions and we hope we cutting-edge research, policy and www.youthweek.org.nz articles in the 1961 Single can present a rational plan of practice that will assist governments’ Convention on Narcotic action... to attain the absolute service systems, service providers, 5th Annual Conference of the parents and caregivers. Drugs that require countries and sure abolition of this International Society for the www.interprofessional.ubc.ca to eliminate the chewing of pernicious habit.” Study of Drug Policy coca leaves. A 1995 WHO study on 23–24 May, Utrecht, School of Addiction 2011 The Netherlands “If this a drug, you should coca and cocaine concluded 3–5 March, Auckland This conference is hosted by the throw me in jail,” said that the “use of coca leaves Convened by the Drug and Alcohol Trimbos Institute. Its goal is to share Morales. “It has no harmful appears to have no negative Practitioners Association, the School information, findings and methods of Addiction will provide skill-based around drug policy. It will also impact… at all in its natural health effects and has positive workshops on clinical supervision, facilitate collaboration among top state. It causes no mental therapeutic, sacred and social gambling and smoking cessation. international scholars and policy disturbances… and it does functions for indigenous This is a ‘must attend’ training makers who are engaged in drug opportunity for experienced not cause addiction.” Andean populations.” policy analyses pertaining to drug practitioners. markets, the harms caused by both Bolivia’s constitution Morales’ amendment www.dapaanz.org.nz supply and demand for drugs and protects coca as part of the will not get a free ride. Some the intended and unintended country’s cultural heritage. member states, led by the Young People, Risk and Resilience: consequences of drug policy. Morales’ amendment would United States, have lodged The Challenges of Alcohol, Drugs www.trimbos.org remove the obligation to formal objections arguing that and Violence Conference 7–8 March, Melbourne, Australia 6th International AIDS Society prohibit traditional uses of tolerating coca undermines Young people who use alcohol (IAS) Conference on HIV coca, while maintaining the cocaine control. (Ironically, and other drugs are more likely Pathogenesis, Treatment and strict global control system for the US State Department’s to participate in high-risk activities, Prevention including violent and traumatic coca cultivation and cocaine. website recommends coca tea 17–20 July, Rome, Italy incidents such as assaults and This is the world’s largest open Coca leaf has been chewed for altitude sickness, and its committing crimes leading to early scientific conference on HIV/AIDS. and brewed as tea for La Paz embassy has been involvement in the criminal justice Held every 2 years, the conference centuries in the Andean known to serve it to visitors.) system. Effective interventions and attracts about 5,000 delegates from approaches will be discussed to all over the world to help examine, region. It’s a mild stimulant The UN declaration on prevent harm towards young people. explore and inform the global and suppresses hunger, thirst, indigenous peoples, which the www.aic.gov.au response to HIV/AIDS. pain, and fatigue. It helps US endorsed last December, www.ias2011.org overcome altitude sickness guarantees the protection of Harm Reduction 2011 and is sacred within “cultural heritage, traditional Conference Cutting Edge 3–7 April, Beirut, Lebanon 1–2 September, Christchurch indigenous cultures. knowledge and traditional The International Harm Reduction Cutting Edge is the national addiction Yet, the 1961 treaty treats cultural expressions”. Conference has become the treatment sector conference. coca exactly as it does cocaine. There is no scientific key forum worldwide for the www.cuttingedge2011.org.nz History shows including reason to maintain prohibition dissemination of harm reduction ideas and practice and has helped Hosting a key event? coca in global drug treaties of traditional coca leaf use. put harm reduction on the map. Promote it online at was a flawed decision. In But sadly, when it comes to www.ihra.net www.drugfoundation.org.nz/events 1949, UN Commission of global drug control there is Inquiry on the Coca Leaf, zero tolerance for anyone Head Howard B Fonda said, who is seen to soften the “We believe the daily, status quo. inveterate use of coca leaves Happy reading, Ross Bell. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 01 Cover Story: Sport under the influence

Sponsoring and responsibility

Sport and alcohol have long stood hand in hand. Across the country, sports clubrooms have been the social glue of many a community. Friendships have developed and deepened as Kiwis have won, lost and then drunk together. Keri Welham explains as New Zealand’s binge- drinking culture has grown ever more unsophisticated, the relationship between alcohol and sport has thrown up some uncomfortable truths.

02 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 03 There’s a fair bit of evidence suggesting in the Sunday Star-Times in May 2010, alcohol sponsorship has encouraged saying the alcohol sponsorship ban was hazardous drinking practices among one of the best initiatives in the Law both players and spectators in sport. Commission’s suite of recommendations. New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive “It would at least put an end to one Justin Vaughan drew attention to this of the seediest aspects of our community; when he spoke out about the behaviour the use of sport to promote boozing to of drunken New Zealand fans at a kids,” he wrote. Bledisloe Cup match in Australia last year. Of course, this is not just an issue “That’s not how sport should be. making headlines in New Zealand. It should be pleasurable for everyone,” In 2009, for example, the British That’s not how sport he said. Medical Association called for a should be. He was also quick to point out the complete ban on alcohol advertising and behaviour was not code-specific. Kiwi sponsorship following the release of New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan spectators have been known to turn ugly Under the Influence, a report showing the watching a variety of sports. significant impact of alcohol marketing Vaughan’s comments came as public on harms associated with drinking. outrage surfaced over drunken chaos at a Rugby League International at Eden Park where heavily intoxicated fans Increasingly, the spotlight is invaded the pitch, threw bottles onto falling on alcohol sponsorship the field and booed during the national in sport. What message does anthems. With this year’s Rugby World it send children when booze Cup looming, sports administrators are brands are emblazoned on the cringing at the potential for international shirts of their sporting heroes? embarrassment at the hands of hammered Kiwi fans. What does it do to a sporting Increasingly, the spotlight is falling community when the club on alcohol sponsorship in sport. What must sell a sponsor’s product message does it send children when to fundraise? booze brands are emblazoned on the shirts of their sporting heroes? What does it do to a sporting community In fact, around 260 non-governmental when the club must sell a sponsor’s organisations from 43 countries have product to fundraise? endorsed a Global Resolution to End Prominent sports commentator Alcohol Promotion in World Cup events. Richard Boock addressed this issue While this shows a widespread focus on

04 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz reducing the use of high-profile sports to producers, spent more than US$194 breweries or liquor stores – was promote alcohol products, the campaign million or around 80 percent of its US associated with the drinking behaviour does not cover the practice of providing TV advertising budget on sport. That of those athletes. The study involved sportspeople with free or discounted is a staggering amount and indicates 1,279 New Zealanders participating in alcohol and/or financial assistance, the centrality of sport as a marketing 14 different team and individual sports. which may even be a more direct and tool for alcohol sales.” They ranged from grassroots to elite influential form of sponsorship. international level. Sport and Recreation New Zealand According to the Law Of those surveyed, 47 percent (SPARC) estimates that total alcohol Commission, by the early received free or discounted alcohol as advertising and promotion (not just in part of their sponsorship package. While sport) ranges from $73 million to $165 1990s, more than half of 59 percent of those sponsored received million per year. It says New Zealand all alcohol advertising only three free drinks or less, 10 percent has a problematic drinking culture but expenditure was in forms received 16 or more units of free alcohol that it’s unclear whether alcohol misuse of promotion other than at each team session. is worse in sports than in wider broadcast advertising. Of the sportspeople receiving alcohol New Zealand society. industry sponsorship, 26 percent felt According to the Law Commission they should drink their sponsor’s report, by the early 1990s, more Elsewhere, O’Brien and Kypri product and/or drink at their sponsor’s than half of all alcohol advertising write, “Alcohol industry sponsorship premises. expenditure was in forms of promotion of sportspeople, and in particular the When the alcohol industry sponsors other than broadcast advertising. provision of free or discounted alcoholic a team or individual, it may do so by Kiwi researcher Dr Kerry O’Brien, beverages, is associated with hazardous offering one or some of the following: now based at Melbourne’s Monash drinking. Sports administration bodies free or discounted alcohol after matches University, has become a leading should consider the health and ethical or practice, payment of competition fees researcher on alcohol industry risks of accepting alcohol industry and travel costs, cash and provision of sponsorship and drinking in sports. sponsorship.” equipment and uniforms with the In one of the many journal articles Research shows heavy binge sponsor’s name, logo or brand. he has co-authored with his Australian drinking is particularly harmful and Perhaps unsurprisingly, sportspeople colleague Kypros Kypri, he writes, is more common among adults who given free or discounted alcohol are “Sport is not only being used by the play or watch sport, where it is also shown to drink more than those given alcohol industry to encourage drinking associated with other risky behaviours, non-alcohol items as sponsorship, such among sportspeople and fans, it is also such as drink-driving, unprotected sex as uniforms. the primary vehicle for alcohol-industry and violence. O’Brien and Kypri write, marketing to the general public. For In a paper published in 2008, “The expectation conveyed is that example, reports from the US show that, O’Brien and Kypri sought to understand sportspeople are obliged to look after for the first 6 months of 2009, Anheuser- whether direct alcohol sponsorship of their sponsor; to frequent the sponsor’s Busch, one of the world’s biggest alcohol sportspeople – through pubs, hotels, pub and to drink the product after

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 05 We act surprised when Black Cap Jesse Ryder or All Black Jimmy Cowan get into trouble when they’re out on the booze. The community vilifies them, rather than vilifying the alcohol companies who sponsor the games. Hon Jim Anderton

matches, practices and on other require a group of non-smokers to smoke occasions. At the more social levels of cigarettes every day for years on end in sport, this typically means team mates, order to find out whether cigarettes partners and friends will gather at the really do harm you.“ sponsor’s premises to drink and repay He says governments eventually the sponsor’s ‘generosity’.” moved to shut down tobacco sponsorship without the same level of proof the alcohol industry is I think everyone would now demanding. agree it would be completely In a 2009 editorial in Addiction, unethical to require a group Kypri, O’Brien and colleague Peter of non-smokers to smoke Miller argue, “Where evidence is cigarettes every day for years lacking, policy makers should adopt on end in order to find out the precautionary principle that recommends taking preventive action whether cigarettes really in the face of uncertainty and shifting do harm you. the burden of proof to the proponents Kiwi researcher Dr Kerry O’Brien of the activity. For alcohol, as for tobacco, sponsorship of sport enables companies to promote their products While O’Brien and Kypri’s 2008 to vast audiences of all ages, with few research was compelling, the alcohol if any substantial constraints and all industry argued it did not produce the benefits of association with healthy robust evidence of causation. O’Brien activities and sporting heroes. It should says this is a similar tactic used by the not be left to the public to demonstrate tobacco industry during the ‘tobacco that alcohol industry sponsorship is wars’ but now adapted for the alcohol harmful but, rather, it should be up to debates. the proponents of the activity, i.e. the “There it was claimed that, because alcohol industry, to show that the randomised controlled trials (a proposed practice is harmless. In the meantime, gold standard for evidence) were not government should prohibit the practice conducted to test the impact of tobacco in the interest of reducing unhealthy smoking on humans, you couldn’t infer alcohol use.” it was actually smoking that was leading It is almost a year since the to the increased mortality and morbidity. Law Commission released a set of “But I think everyone would agree it recommendations for liquor law would be completely unethical to reform (April 2010).

06 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz If all it does is give them truckloads of beer, and then to get cash they have to promote everybody drinking lots of it, it’s not a good thing. New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive Jim Doyle

The Law Commission’s report, Researchers have noted it is the between advertising, sponsorship and Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm, newer and more insidious forms of consumption of alcohol must continue reflected on the content of the 2,939 marketing that are likely to be most to be monitored.” submissions to its liquor licensing review. influential on adolescents – the internet, A controversial French alcohol policy It said almost every submitter – 2,281 mobile phone messages, merchandising law, Loi Évin, was passed in 1991. It of them – had something to say about and social networking sites as well as attempts to restrict both the content of advertising and sponsorship, with 86 sports and festival sponsorship such as alcohol advertising, and the population’s percent supporting banning or restricting the Heineken Tennis Open, surfing’s exposure to that advertising. all alcohol advertising in all media. Export Gold Series and the Jim Beam The Law Commission summarised Alcohol advertising in New Zealand Home Grown concert. the impact of the Loi Évin as follows: is self-regulated by the Advertising The Law Commission says the ■■ All drinks over 1.2 percent alcohol Standards Authority – an industry-based evidence linking drinking with by volume are considered alcoholic body. Brand advertising has been advertising and sponsorship is beverages. allowed since 1992. compelling, particularly with regard to ■■ No advertising should be targeted As well as concern about overt young people, but it does not support an at young people. advertising, such as that which promotes alcohol advertising or sponsorship ban. ■■ No advertising is allowed on a particular brand, the Law Commission television or in cinemas. says there were also many submissions Researchers have noted ■■ No alcohol sponsorship of cultural specifically concerning alcohol or sport events is permitted. it is the newer and more sponsorship. ■■ Advertising is permitted only in the One read, “There is presently an insidious forms of marketing press for adults, on billboards, on radio intimate association of alcohol with that are likely to be most channels (under precise conditions) sporting activity just as there once was influential on adolescents – and at special events or places such between tobacco and say, motor sport. the internet, mobile phone as wine fairs or wine museums. It is not just direct advertising and messages, merchandising and ■■ When advertising is permitted, its brand promotion. It is a thread that runs content is controlled. Messages and through the media. Casual references, social networking sites… images may refer only to the qualities for example, to ‘tying one on’ are Kiwi researcher Dr Kerry O’Brien of products such as degree, origin, commonplace on radio sporting composition, means of production talkback; that getting plastered in “We believe the available evidence and patterns of consumption. Court connection with a sporting event holds does not justify a recommendation for decisions have led to no use of images fond memories.” a total ban on alcohol advertising and of drinkers or depiction of a drinking The Commission noted that sponsorship at this point. Unlike tobacco, atmosphere. marketing strategies, such as alcohol it is possible to consume alcohol at ■■ A health message must be included sports sponsorship, embedded images low-risk levels… However, the on each advertisement to the effect and messages about alcohol into young contribution of alcohol to adverse health that “alcohol abuse is dangerous people’s everyday lives. outcomes and to crime and the links for health”. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 07 On the one hand, [sports administrators] embrace and peddle alcohol via their sport, while on the other they punish individual sport stars and fans when they display loutish behaviour while intoxicated. Kiwi researcher Dr Kerry O’Brien

Despite widespread controversy, powerful alcohol industry lobby groups the Loi Évin has withstood robust legal in the United Kingdom. O’Brien says challenges. The European Court has sports administrators are sending mixed ruled that, “Such a ban constitutes a messages to participants and fans. restriction on the freedom to provide “On the one hand, they embrace and services, but is justified by the aim of peddle alcohol via their sport, while on protecting the public.” the other, they punish individual sport The Loi Évin’s opponents deplore stars and fans when they display loutish the provision that forbids French behaviour while intoxicated.” broadcasters from showing alcohol He says sports administrators have brands on athletes’ clothing and sports to take responsibility for the role they stadium hoardings – prohibiting the play in encouraging problematic alcohol broadcast of some foreign sporting consumption through their willingness events where these marketing techniques to accept alcohol sponsorship dollars. are used. However, the Law Commission This is a view shared by Progressive said it received many submissions Party leader Jim Anderton. In a speech suggesting New Zealand model any in March 2010, Anderton said All Blacks liquor law reform on the Loi Évin. games and summer cricket “drip in Meanwhile, the British government alcohol promotion”. last year banned promotions that “But we act surprised when Black encourage irresponsible drinking such Cap Jesse Ryder or All Black Jimmy as drinking games, speed drinking, Cowan get into trouble when they’re out women drink for free, all you can drink on the booze. The community vilifies for £10 and the dispensing of alcohol them, rather than vilifying the alcohol directly into a person’s mouth. The companies who sponsor the games and Health Committee of the House of encourage young New Zealanders to go Commons has reported back on its out and drink to excess. That’s why I inquiry into alcohol with a set of believe one of the most effective changes recommendations designed to restrict we could make is to reduce or ban advertisers’ influence on children. alcohol advertising, particularly at Recommendations included a 9pm sports games.” watershed for television advertising, In an opinion piece in The no posters or billboards within Australian last November, Brent Read 100 metres of a school and no alcohol wrote of Canberra Raiders star Joel promotion on social networking sites. Monaghan, who was under the influence O’Brien and Kypri’s research has met of alcohol when he decided to engage in with particularly fierce resistance from a sex act with a dog to play a prank on a

08 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz You never say never. Our preference is never. We’ve been approached by a few and we’ve turned them down. We’ll certainly try and avoid [alcohol sponsors]. New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive Jim Doyle

team mate. The Raiders’ sponsors include sponsorship would have a large or very Local Liquor, which The Australian large impact on them. One small rural reports has 250 outlets across Australia. rugby and netball club said, “Quite “In one breath, Canberra takes money honestly, we would not survive if our from an organisation that makes millions finance through either the bar or through out of selling alcohol. In another, it sponsorship from alcohol was taken sanctions a player who committed a away from us.” vile act while under the influence of O’Brien says the alcohol industry that very product.” uses sponsorship as a form of marketing New Zealand Rugby League Chief and advertising and, in doing so, Executive Jim Doyle is determined to bypasses regulatory barriers that prohibit find alternatives to alcohol sponsorship alcohol advertising on TV at certain but stops just short of saying he’d never times and during certain programmes sign a booze sponsor again. when children are likely to be viewing. “You never say never. Our preference “These alcohol marketing strategies is never. We’ve been approached by a need to be viewed in the same light as few, and we’ve turned them down. tobacco sponsorship, with regulation We’ll certainly try and avoid [alcohol to match.” sponsors].” O’Brien would like to see better He acknowledges this is easier at a funding streams for sports, particularly national level, where other sponsors are those that have been for so long in the in the wings. But many of the clubs are shadow of industry sponsorship, such still stuck in arrangements with brewers as cricket and rugby in New Zealand. who give them slabs of beer to sell as a “Ring-fencing money from current more even distribution of funds and fundraising mechanism in exchange for alcohol taxation specifically for sport stability of funding, it would also naming rights or other publicity. and other healthy physical activities eliminate the relationship between “If all it does is give them truckloads or even increasing alcohol taxation sports clubs and the alcohol industry.” of beer, and then to get cash, they have slightly to fund sports would likely And there’s another consideration. to promote everybody drinking lots of it, result in considerably more funding Some co-sponsors may decide they don’t it’s not a good thing,” Doyle says. than is currently being provided by want to risk association with a Through an innovative incentive the government and alcohol industry sportsperson’s drunken indiscretions. system, clubs currently reliant on the combined. These funds could then O’Brien says the time may be coming alcohol industry are being encouraged be allocated without alcohol industry when sponsors outside the alcohol to look for alternative sponsors. involvement or branding through an industry choose to walk away rather A paper prepared by SPARC late last independent funding body to individual than share the line-up with a booze year revealed 43 percent of sports clubs sports organisations, clubs, teams or brand and risk any potential alcohol- surveyed felt a ban on alcohol-related individuals. Not only could this enable related public relations fall out.

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 09 Sports stars on the booze

Cycling

Cricket

Commonwealth Games cyclist Liz Williams complained after two team mates reportedly attempted to strip her and urinate on her in the New Zealand cricketing Melbourne Games village in 2006. sensation Jesse Ryder swore off When asked how drunk she and alcohol for good early in 2009 after her team mates Marc Ryan and Tim he cut his hand smashing a toilet Gudsell were, Williams said she window in Christchurch during a didn’t know. Williams’s mother, 2008 post-match drinking binge. Patricia Williams, told NZPA at the He then missed a team meeting in time there was a huge amount of Auckland and was subsequently alcohol involved and “the whole unable to train following a drinking culture needs to be changed so it’s session in Wellington. safe for the girls.”

10 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Rugby Union

Rugby league

There have been a number of rugby union stars embroiled in alcohol-related scandals over the Swimming years, from former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga hitting team mate Chris Masoe over the head with a handbag in a Christchurch bar in 2006 to team mate Doug Howlett’s 2007 arrest for criminal damage after cars were vandalised Former Canberra Raiders league outside a London hotel. player Todd Carney had his In 2009 alone, Hurricanes rugby $400,000-a-season contract torn wing David Smith was convicted of up in 2008 and was banned from drink-driving, Hurricanes player his New South Wales home town, Dane Coles admitted abusing Police Goulburn, after a string of alcohol- during a drunken scuffle, Auckland Commonwealth Games silver fuelled indiscretions. Among the Blues player Taniela Moa was medallist Daniel Bell was sent headlines were tales of him ordered to undergo alcohol home from India last year for urinating on pub patrons and counselling after a bottle was breaking Swimming New Zealand’s jumping on a car bonnet and thrown at a female in a rugby club, zero-tolerance alcohol protocol. smashing a shop window in as was Highlanders player Fetu’u Bell had “a couple of beers” after Goulburn. He received a 12-month Vainikolo after a similar incident the swimming meet finished and suspended sentence. where he threw a drink at a woman. was sent home immediately, NZPA Carney was ‘rescued’ by Meanwhile, Toulouse player and reported at the time. It was the Atherton Roosters President Mick former All Black Byron Kelleher third time in the past 2 years Bell Nasser, who gave him two jobs: was arrested and spent the night had been involved in an alcohol- one on the field for the small club in a Police cell after being involved related incident while overseas earning $40 a win; one behind the in a drunken brawl following a with a New Zealand team. Team bar in Nasser’s hotel earning $20 traffic accident. mates Dean Kent, Corney an hour. Last year, All Black and Chiefs Swanepoel and Cameron Gibson “I copped a lot of criticism for player Sione Lauaki pleaded guilty were expelled from the 2008 putting him in the pub, but it tends to his third assault charge in 4 years New Zealand Olympic team and to jerk people into gear,” Nasser after what was reported as another the Beijing Olympic village after told reporters. “They see how ‘late-night incident’ in a bar. In taking a photo of a drunk Bell people react to alcohol.” 2008, current All Blacks halfback sitting on the toilet at a social Last year, a sober Carney was Jimmy Cowan faced a New Zealand function, and in 2009, Bell was signed by the Sydney Roosters, Rugby Union misconduct hearing admitted to hospital in Rome made the Kangaroos and was and underwent alcohol counselling suffering from excessive alcohol named International Player of after three arrests in 3 months for intake following the completion the Year. disorderly conduct. of the World Championships.

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 11 Cover Story: Sport under the influence

Our culture of sporting excess

Kiwis admire their sporting men and women as heroes, and for years, this has also meant celebrating the robust ability of many of them to down the drink. But after several high-profile and embarrassing cases involving athletes and alcohol, many are beginning to question the place alcohol plays in our sporting culture. Could things be changing for the better? Keri Welham

New Zealand Rugby League Chief He says sometimes sports stars, such Executive Jim Doyle is the first to as cricket’s Jesse Ryder (see previous acknowledge the downfalls of page), fall short of public expectations New Zealand sport’s boozing culture, through events fuelled by alcohol. This, and says both players and fans are an Vaughan says, reflects the rest of the “at-risk” community. But he says community where such incidents also league is hoping to lead the way as a befall other young men. responsible, progressive sport committed “If all cricket players were viceless to building both great players and individuals, that just wouldn’t connect great people with sound community- with the community. Like it or not, they minded values. have a role model tag around them. Working with the tagline ‘More “I’d like to think Jesse will continue than just a game’, Doyle’s team are to improve, [but] there are no guarantees refashioning their approach to building around that, absolutely not.” future stars. Camps for talented young In a 2007 study of 1,214 Kiwi players now feature a dual focus: sportspeople aged 18 and over, improvement on the field and lead-authored by New Zealander improvement off the field. Alcohol, Kerry O’Brien, academics from three Doyle says, has a negative impact Australasian universities found on both. hazardous drinking behaviours differed New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive across levels of sporting participation. Justin Vaughan, a medical doctor, has Elite provincial sportspeople were most seen a change in drinking culture since inclined to drinking in a hazardous way, his days as an international cricketer in followed by club/social sportspeople, the 1990s. and elite international sportspeople “Our players play a lot more [and displayed the lowest levels of hazardous are] a lot more professional. It’s no drinking. longer acceptable for guys to go out and The report referenced a 1998 study get a skinful the night before [a match].” that illustrated higher rates of binge

12 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz drinking among the leaders of sports when Western Force players Scott Fava If all cricket players were teams than in sports team members and Richard Brown were fined $11,000 viceless individuals, that just themselves. In turn, sports team and $5,000 respectively after being wouldn’t connect with the members were more likely to report found guilty of animal abuse during a binge drinking than non-athletes. team bonding session, Force coach John community. Like it or not, The same 1998 research confirmed Mitchell said, “They won’t be the only they have a role model tag sportspeople experience significant boys or only team this year that has a around them. pressure from team mates and coaches to problem with alcohol. It’s generally New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive drink together to increase team cohesion in most clubs.” Jim Doyle and bonding, while other research has Mitchell himself was criticised for suggested sportspeople use alcohol to allowing a troublesome drinking culture cope with the stresses of competition to develop when he was All Blacks and demands on their time and energy. coach. Former hooker Anton Oliver, Another Australasian study led by in a 2005 tell-all book, revealed the O’Brien was released in 2008 and team’s binge drinking culture “spiralled focused on identifying differences in dangerously out of control” when 2003 the way male and female sportspeople coach Mitchell was at the helm. drink. It found “coping motives” were “We had several young men in the a more significant predictor of hazardous team, and I thought, ‘We are teaching drinking in females than males. Across them that this is what it is to be an both sexes, hazardous drinking among All Black, to drink a lot of booze’.” sportspeople at New Zealand Oliver said he began to address his universities was high, with 46.3 percent discomfort with the drinking culture reporting binge drinking and 35 percent when he received a letter from one of reporting frequent binge drinking. his young fans who had been too afraid There are abundant tales of high- to approach the drunken rugby star in profile sports stars breaking laws or a restaurant because “of my profane moral codes, heaping embarrassment on language and generally poor behaviour”. their families and their sport. In 2007, Oliver writes that he burned with www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 13 We are teaching them that this is what it is to be an All Black, to drink a lot of booze. Former All Black Anton Oliver

shame when he read the letter and can survive without booze. carried it around with him for 3 months. Clubs with accreditation have Other research by O’Brien and lowered their rates of risky drinking, colleagues in Australia found that young violence and drink-driving. Contrary people think their friends probably drink to the concerns of many sports clubs, significantly more than themselves and which worry they will not survive that sports stars probably drink without alcohol sponsorship, the head significantly less. Overestimating the of the Good Sports programme, Carolyn amount another person drinks has been Watts, says breaking the link between shown to result in heavier drinking. alcohol and sport increases revenue. Thus, in this study, young people Watts told the Sydney Morning illustrate that they may be more Herald that, if a club has a boozy culture, influenced by their perceptions of the rest of the community don’t want to how much their friends drink. join in. The Australian Drug Foundation ‘’Women don’t want to come along is attempting to sever the ties between to those clubs; they don’t want to sports clubs and a binge-drinking culture bring their children and have them with its Good Sports programme, surrounded by that sort of behaviour, launched in 2000. The initiative offers and good players don’t want to go to three levels of accreditation to reflect clubs that have a boozy culture because how advanced a club is with its it shows they don’t take their sport practices and policies involving alcohol. seriously.” Clubs are assessed on factors such as Research shows that, once a sports how well their staff enforce liquor laws, club reaches level 2 accreditation provision of safe transport options and in the Good Sports programme, club whether they have worked to establish membership increases on average by funding streams other than grants from 42 percent, and the number of women the alcohol industry. It is hoped the visiting the club grows by 24 percent. programme will show community sport Watts says changing a culture that

14 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz We knew this was going to affiliate clubs will be assessed, ranked Some individuals still go for an after- take time to implement, and and given red, amber or green status. match drink, but the tradition of club- we had to ensure we were seen One of the criteria for reaching green endorsed weekly drinking sessions has accreditation, the most desirable status, been broken. The club hasn’t yet been to be encouraging and not will be banning alcohol on the sideline. assessed for green accreditation. dictatorial. Eventually we As an incentive, green clubs will get Chair Taima Fagaloa says the sideline could see less presence of gear such as tackle bags, cones and alcohol ban was implemented from the alcohol post-match. balls. Where many football grounds start of the 2010 season, and at first, have goalpost bolsters emblazoned with visiting teams were unsure of whether Porirua’s St George Rugby League Club alcohol brands, green clubs will be given the club was serious. Chair Taima Fagaloa bolsters to wrap around their goalposts that say ‘Ease up on the drink’. The For a culture change, it bolsters are one initiative that has grown associates sporting celebrations with out of a 3-year agreement between NZRL takes years... In some parts of alcohol can be achieved by simple and the Alcohol Advisory Council the country [these] moves are measures such as offering food, ensuring (ALAC). more popular, in others, soft drinks and low-alcohol beer are “For a culture change, it takes years,” less popular. available and abolishing all-you-can- Doyle says. “In some parts of the country New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive drink nights and alcohol as prizes. [these] moves are more popular, in Jim Doyle “The clubs that have problems others, less popular.” generally have a boozy culture Porirua’s St George Rugby League dominated by a certain group of men, Club has already banned alcohol on the “We found we had to be consistent and that culture just doesn’t work any field and in the changing rooms at its with the approaches and the messages,” more.’’ home ground, Cannons Creek Park. Fagaloa says. “We knew this was New Zealand Rugby League has St George has also stopped hosting going to take time to implement, and launched a programme with a similar rowdy after-match functions in its local we had to ensure we were seen to focus. Jim Doyle and his team are rolling bar following every game, choosing be encouraging and not dictatorial. out a nationwide club development instead to host just a handful of select Eventually, we could see less programme where each of the 138 social events throughout the season. presence of alcohol post-match.” www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 15 The proposition

At the US mid-term elections last November, Californian voters rejected Proposition 19, a measure that would have allowed local bodies in the state to tax and regulate marijuana use. The losing margin was 8 percent or almost 700,000 votes, but, writes Hamish McKenzie, its supporters are not as disappointed as you might think.

The way Drug Policy Alliance Executive not the least of which were the Director Ethan Nadelmann tells it, educational aspects of the campaign, California’s recent marijuana legalisation which will put similar initiatives in initiative is perhaps the most successful good stead for 2012. The simple proposition ever to fail. existence of Proposition 19 on the ballot, “Personally, I was surprised that it he says, transformed the public dialogue got 46.3 percent of the vote,” he says. “I around marijuana legalisation. was prepared for it to get in the low 40s.” “Prop 19’s being on the ballot Proposition 19 supporters had elevated and legitimised the discourse pinned their hopes – perhaps about marijuana legalisation in ways unrealistically, Nadelmann concedes that had been unimaginable just 2 years – on a large turnout among young voters before. In that sense, losing on election that would tip the scales in favour of day was almost incidental to the greater Prop 19’s being on the legalisation. Analysis of exit polls accomplishment of Prop 19.” suggests that, if young voters had turned Until October, it looked as if ballot elevated and legitimised out in the same numbers as they did for Proposition 19 might just score a the discourse about marijuana President Barack Obama’s election in surprise victory. Every poll from legalisation in ways that had 2008, the proposition would have April until 2 October showed more been unimaginable just garnered 49 percent of the vote – voters were for than against it. On 2 years before. within the margin of error for victory. 30 September, a poll of 2,000 people by But it wasn’t to be. Young the Public Policy Institute of California Drug Policy Alliance Executive Californians didn’t come in their droves, showed 52 percent in favour versus Director Ethan Nadelmann and a series of other setbacks in the face 41 percent opposed. Two days later, of a smart ‘No on Prop 19’ campaign however, an Ipsos poll of 450 people consigned the initiative to failure. showed 53 percent opposed and just Opponents criticised the proposition as 44 percent in favour. ill-defined and vague on crucial points, The proposition’s intent was simple. and the status quo prevailed. It would allow adults over the age of 21 As Nadelmann sees it, however, there to possess small quantities of marijuana were considerable upshots in the loss, for personal consumption at home or in

16 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance

They will have entered the world of adult birdhood as nicotine addicts. Forest and Bird Field Officer Albert Rebergen comments after the discovery of a bird’s nest in Porirua – probably made by a thrush or a blackbird – that had been padded with unravelled cigarette butts.

It does get tiring when you come into a big series like this and people focus on my negatives. It’s been like that all through my career, but I have It was so poorly written brought it upon myself by the that people in California way I have behaved. That’s the really didn’t know what past, I am trying to move on, they were being asked to become a better player and vote for. become a better person. Troubled Black Caps star Jesse Ryder Tim Rosales, No on Prop 19 says he has been off the booze “for 100 days” and believes his concentration levels and focus have increased. a licensed establishment and grow it for than whites, according to a Drug Policy personal use. Local governments would Alliance study. Supporters also hoped the be able to tax marijuana sales, regulate Like an increasing number of proposition would help address marijuana businesses and impose heavy law enforcers, I have learned that increasing violence on the US border penalties on sales to minors. most bad things about marijuana, with Mexico, which has continued to Opponents argued legalisation would especially the violence made cause alarm in California. The drug drastically reduce marijuana prices inevitable by an obscenely trade-related violence in Mexico has leading to increased consumption and profitable black market, are claimed more than 28,000 lives in the that the proposition was so poorly caused by the prohibition, not last 4 years alone. worded that employers wouldn’t be by the plant. able to fire staff who were stoned on For these reasons, the proposition the job and passengers would be able garnered some powerful supporters, Retired San Jose Police Chief Joseph to smoke marijuana in a moving vehicle. including three sitting Congressmen, McNamara, writing in the San Francisco However, its supporters point former Mexican President Vicente Fox, Chronicle. out Proposition 19 would have had the California branch of the National a significant impact on state coffers. Association for the Advancement of If passed, it could have generated Coloured People, the National Black Then we started drinking a US$1.4 billion a year in new tax Police Association, the National Latino lot more. Being drunk on stage, revenue, according to the State Board Officers Association and several wealthy your inhibitions are gone. Most of Equalisation, which administers investors, including billionaire of the stuff we’ve come up with, California’s fuel, alcohol and tobacco philanthropist George Soros. like bringing someone up to sing taxes. On the other side of the ledger, with us or running around in It would also have allowed Police however, were some formidable drag, that’s all from being and the courts to concentrate their opponents, including then-Governor liquored up. resources on more serious crime. In Arnold Schwarzenegger, the two major Green Day lead singer Billie Joe 2008, there were more than 60,000 gubernatorial candidates, Meg Whitman Armstrong told Q magazine the band’s arrests for marijuana possession in the and (now Governor) Jerry Brown, two live performances have improved state, and a disproportionate number Senators, the Californian Chamber of because they are usually drunk on stage. were of black people – despite the fact Commerce and several newspaper that blacks use marijuana at lower rates editorial boards, including the continued on page 18

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 17 Quotes of Substance

Crack cocaine is more addictive than alcohol, but because alcohol is so widely used, there are hundreds of thousands of people who crave alcohol every day, and those people will go to extraordinary lengths to get it. Professor David Nutt, the former Chief Drugs Adviser to the British Government who was sacked in 2009, comments on a report he co-authored that ranked 20 drugs on 16 measures of harm to users and to wider society. Heroin, crack and crystal meth were deemed worst for individuals, with alcohol, heroin and crack cocaine worst for society, and alcohol worst overall.

His contention is that alcohol is more lethal because it is so much more widely used. This is a bit like saying that driving is more dangerous than sky diving. It may be, but only because very many more people do it. Los Angeles Times and the San “These factors combined were Francisco Chronicle. Perhaps most enough to turn off voters,” says Rosales. Stephen Glover, writing in The Mail interestingly, the California Beer and “They saw it as being very problematic Online, accuses Professor Nutt of using Beverage Distributors and several and troublesome. A ‘no’ vote became a selective methodology and describes his medical marijuana growers also opposed reflection of the fact that some people conclusion that alcohol should be a Class the bill, likely fearful of the impact on were not sure they really wanted to go A drug as “barmy” because drinking “can their respective industries. There are that extra step.” be, and usually is, done in moderation various reasons why Proposition 19 For Nadelmann, the reasons are and need not involve a powerful and failed, but the ‘No on Prop 19’ campaign more varied and complex – though he irresistible addiction”. honed in on one particular aspect: does concede that, as the vote neared, uncertainty over the wording of the the focus shifted from the question of proposition’s provisions. whether the drug should be legalised Joel now has to face his family “It was so poorly written that people to the proposed legislation’s details as well as fans and supporters in California really didn’t know what (and the attendant misconceptions). with that shame and has already they were being asked to vote for,” This coincided with the proposition undergone counselling to help says Tim Rosales, the ‘No on Prop 19’ losing support in the polls in him cope with the consequences campaign manager. October. of what has happened. It was a He said voters were uncertain about There were other factors, however, moment of abject stupidity the way the legislation would be that were just as compelling. When brought about by too much drink implemented by local counties rather Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill and a complete lack of any than at the state level, and the at the start of October that downgraded thought process. proposition didn’t adequately define possession of an ounce or less of Canberra Raiders star Joel Monaghan what would constitute impairment when marijuana to an infraction – akin to confirms through his manager that he is it came to driving under the influence. a parking fine – rather than a the player in question in a photograph There were also concerns about how misdemeanour, he simultaneously that has been published on the internet employers could deal with workers diluted one of the ‘Yes’ campaign’s main featuring a sex act with a dog. under the influence of marijuana – a arguments: that marijuana arrests and “huge grey area”, as Rosales puts it, convictions were needlessly punishing which was played up by the California otherwise innocent people and wasting

continued on page 29 Chamber of Commerce. law enforcement resources. Many

18 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz When Governor Schwarzenegger downgraded possession of an ounce or less of marijuana to an infraction, he simultaneously diluted one of the ‘Yes’ campaign’s main arguments. commentators believe Schwarzenegger polls that show higher-than-ever support marijuana legalisation – older Latinos, wouldn’t have made that move had for legalisation across the US (the latest single women and black voters. Also, Proposition 19 not been on the ballot. Gallup poll says 46 percent of the while the ‘Yes’ campaign did spend There was also an October country favours legalisation; that figure nearly US$4 million in support of the announcement by US Attorney-General rises to 58 percent when only the proposition and the ‘No’ campaign only Eric Holder who said the Federal Western states are considered), $300,000–$400,000, those figures are Government would continue to enforce Nadelmann and the Drug Policy Alliance “peanuts” compared to spending on marijuana laws even if the proposition are looking to the Presidential elections other propositions in California. passed. At the same time, there were in 2012 to revive the prospect of In the meantime, Nadelmann says rumours that a regulated and fully legal legalised marijuana. Proposition 19 proponents have taken industry would come to be taken over by Of course, Rosales and the ‘No’ the opportunity to learn from their major corporate players, squeezing out campaign are doing their best to mistakes, and it is “highly likely” there the smaller growers who dominate the discourage such efforts. “We’ve just had will be a marijuana legalisation initiative medical marijuana market today. this debate in 2010, and the arguments back on the California ballot in 2012. It Finally, Nadelmann says, there was just were pretty soundly rejected – and in a is also likely to surface in a number of a sense of general nervousness about year when you saw a very high other states, including Colorado, Alaska, change that made it difficult for voters to Democratic or liberal turnout amongst Washington, Oregon and Nevada. With make the leap. This is despite the fact voters,” says Rosales, who also sounded an expected increase in young voters for that exit polls indicated 25 percent of a warning about the tough path the Presidential election coupled with voters who opposed Proposition 19 Proposition 19 faces ahead. stronger commitments from key donors actually supported the idea of marijuana “It’s a very, very difficult hill to such as George Soros, Nadelmann has legalisation. climb, especially with these results. found cause for optimism. The ‘Yes’ campaign outspent the ‘No’ “People need to get comfortable It seems the one key message to with this idea,” says Nadelmann, “and campaign by more than 10 to one, and arise from the partial success and in a way, Prop 19 got the conversation they were still not successful in a very ultimate failure of Proposition 19 is that going. The more conversation you have, high Democratic turnout year.” Americans should get ready to do it all the more comfortable people become Nadelmann says it’s true the again in 2 years. with it.” Democratic voter turnout was high, but Buoyed by the higher-than-expected says it was largely among demographics Hamish McKenzie is a writer based in the US. levels of support for Proposition 19 and that aren’t particularly amenable to

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 19 Viewpoints

Cannabis has been Should cannabis be on the World Anti Doping Agency’s on WADA’s banned (WADA’s) list of banned substances substances list? since 2004.

Why cannabis should remain on WADA’s banned substances list

WADA’s arguments for including cannabis as a banned substance are pretty Cannabis may be the straightforward. There are three conditions in the WADA Code upon which a substance could be banned: does it enhance performance, is it dangerous for the most commonly used athlete, and is it against the spirit of sport? Cannabis violates at least two and ‘recreational drug’ in probably all three of these conditions. society, but that does not Firstly, cannabis contravenes the spirit of sport, which the Code describes as “a change the fact that it is celebration of the human spirit, body and mind, characterised by values including a mind-altering illegal health, respect for rules and laws, and respect for self and other participants”. substance. Cannabis may be the most commonly used ‘recreational drug’ in society, but that does not change the fact that it is a mind-altering illegal substance. It is not a celebration of the mind to inflict upon it a chemical that changes the perception of reality. It is hard to see taking harmful substances as having respect for oneself, and taking an illegal substance shows very real disrespect for rules and laws. Secondly, cannabis violates the Code in that its use represents a very real health risk to the athlete. While there may be debate about where cannabis sits in the drug harm index, there is no disputing the fact that it is harmful. It causes temporary – and perhaps even permanent – loss of brain function, wreaks havoc on the respiratory tract, and its smoke contains known carcinogens. There are some who would argue that cannabis is also performance enhancing in that it calms the nerves before competition, and some athletes have said they use it to ensure they get enough sleep to compete well. This is why only athletes testing positive during competition will be punished and not those who test positive at other times. In other words, WADA does allow some discretion and sticks to its mandate of policing athletes’ drug use to improve their sporting performance, not its use in their social lives. Cannabis and sport do not mix. Any drug that alters mind and/or body affects the nature of true and honest competition. The rules are based on sound reasons and are very, very clear. Athletes caught with cannabis in their system do not deserve to be competing and have only themselves to blame.

20 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Despite receiving pressure from various quarters to remove it, WADA’s You decide Executive Committee has approved a new version of the list for 2011, with Should cannabis be on WADA’s cannabis still included. banned substances list? In this edition of Viewpoints we Vote online provide the arguments for and against www.drugfoundation.org.nz/viewpoints keeping cannabis a banned substance for sportspeople.

Why cannabis should be removed from WADA’s banned substances list

No one wants The big mistake WADA makes is that it treats all illicit substances as if they were the same. The fact is that they are not. athletes taking performance enhancing drugs, but No one wants athletes taking performance enhancing drugs, but there is no scientific evidence at all suggesting cannabis is performance enhancing. It doesn’t make you run there is no scientific faster or jump higher. It doesn’t increase your fitness, and it certainly doesn’t enhance evidence at all suggesting your ability to concentrate. cannabis is performance It would be a far better use of WADA’s time if it focused on catching athletes taking enhancing. steroids or drugs that artificially enhance their strength or give them an abnormal ability to cope with pain. In other words, worrying about cannabis use takes valuable resources away from catching the real drug cheats. Because cannabis has no positive effect upon an athlete’s performance and is used recreationally off the field, it can’t be argued its use is contrary to the spirit of sport. There’s no reason at all to believe someone who smoked a joint at a party a few days before a competition is any less enthusiastic about celebrating the human spirit, body and mind than any other athlete. Nor is using cannabis a sure sign of disrespect for rules and laws of sport, which is all WADA should be concerned about. It has no business prying into the private lives of athletes so it can pontificate on whatever minor legal infractions they might commit in their own time. And in some countries, cannabis use is legal, putting it on virtually the same level as tobacco and alcohol, which are not on the banned substances list. However, the most compelling reason for removing cannabis from the list is the disproportionate impact a conviction can have on those who are caught. In late 2010, for example, a Gold Coast rugby league player who returned his third positive test for cannabis was banned for life from associating with the sport in any way. Not only can he never play again, he must also never train others, coach, manage or act in any support role – not even for teams on which his children might play. This man knew the risks and has himself to blame for his own foolishness, but a lifetime ban is hardly a fitting punishment for taking a non-performance enhancing drug. And while such a ban may well be a deterrent for others, cutting off someone with a drug problem from sport, which can have remarkable protective factors against drug misuse, seems particularly brutal and tragic. In 2007, Drug Free Sport New Zealand, the government-funded organisation that carries out testing of athletes, lobbied WADA for change, arguing, “The mechanism developed to address performance enhancing drugs is not the right one to address the social drug issue.” They are quite right. Unlike steroid abusers, cannabis-using athletes are not drug cheats. At worst, they are merely cheating themselves, and that is punishment enough.

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 21 Guest Editorial

Two Drinks Max

In late 2010, most New Zealanders were bemused by the government’s failure to reduce the blood alcohol content limit from 0.08 to 0.05, opting instead for a further 2 years research. This was despite recommendations from the Law Commission and a raft of experts in the wider health and justice sectors. Unexpected support for lowering the limit came by means of the Herald on Sunday’s successful Two Drinks Max campaign. Editor Bryce Johns writes about the rationale behind the campaign.

it’s an unusual sight to see a Sunday sticks to its line of needing 2 more years newspaper editor banging on like some of research before making a decision, crusading do-gooder. But you may be it is almost certain 50mg will be the about to see more of this sort of next legal limit and Two Drinks Max behaviour. will still apply. The Herald on Sunday last year took a As big a question as why Two Drinks strong stand on the nation’s drink-driving Max is why a campaign at all? laws, drawing nearly 10,000 people to Because the days of newspapers Bryce sign up to a campaign to make the simply being records of fact are gone. Johns country’s roads safer. News can be accessed in a multitude of ways, and newsprint is only surviving As big a question as why because of the authoritative edge it Two Drinks Max is why a supplies in analysing facts, offering opinion and understanding the public campaign at all? mood. The Herald on Sunday is a relatively Two Drinks Max had two goals; to new paper, only 7 years old. It has a get people to pledge not to drive on our reputation of being aggressive and roads after they had consumed more appealing to the more populist market. than two standard drinks and to pressure But as its sales, readership and credibility the government to lower the drink- have risen, so have its goals. I want it to driving limit. have a soul. So why Two Drinks Max? Experts say That means having a leading role in this is the level that would see most the community and championing issues people come under a blood alcohol level that have clear public backing. Two of 50mg per 100ml of blood. The current Drinks Max, or at least reducing the level is 80mg per 100ml, but Police and a alcohol drink-driving limits, clearly does. variety of health sector people want it The paper polled its readers, spending reduced to 50mg. Even if the government thousands to do so, and more than 70

22 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz percent backed a law change. It mirrored But we know we’ve already won. Getting readers to pledge other polls conducted by interest groups, Thousands have signed on, and the to drive with a lower alcohol and that gave newsroom managers information that has gone out has no limit means people who care reassurance there was a public will. doubt made more people more aware So we got it under way. Knowing the of the dangers on the roads when people can already do something chances of forcing the government’s drink and drive. to make the country safer hand on this are limited, as much The campaign has rolled on into the without having to be told because of the pressure it is under from new year. As each person dies who could by the government. the hospitality sector, it was important have been saved by a lower limit, we’ll getting a law change was not the only remind the government. We’ll batter goal. Getting readers to pledge to drive away until the law is changed. with a lower alcohol limit means people And we’re already planning what’s who care can already do something to next on our readers’ agenda. Recently, make the country safer without having senior reporter Leigh van der Stoep to be told by the government. joined the paper, with part of her brief And it is extremely nice to hear some as a project manager for campaigns. positive comments about the paper With 400,000 people reading us each around the traps. Readers seemed week, that’s a lot of people who have surprised we took this initiative. They hopes, dreams and fears. If we can better shouldn’t be. We are striving more than understand how we can help them ever to make sure the issues we target achieve goals or put right injustices, are issues they care about. we’re better serving them. But a heightened sense of loyalty The paper always needs to remain towards the paper is only a side benefit. objective, accurate and balanced. But This is really something that can you can do that and make things happen. change, or at least save, lives. Ideally, Watch out for the Herald on Sunday. we’d like the government to see sense Join the Two Drinks Max Facebook group at and do what the people that voted it in www.facebook.com/twodrinksmax want… reduce the drink-driving limits. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 23 Hello Sunday morning

By Rob Zorn

Early dawning, Sunday Twenty-four-year-old Chris Raine getting through and just didn’t seem morning, it’s just the wasted says he’s really no different to any other relevant. years so close behind. young Aussie bloke his age. He likes the In what seemed to many like a rash ladies, loves a laugh and certainly enjoys act of madness, Chris decided to give up Sunday Morning, The Velvet Underground, a drink or two. While he says he’s the booze for an entire year and spend 1966 always been pretty ambitious and that time seeking an understanding of motivated, he doesn’t think that makes why binge drinking is so entrenched and him all that unique. what it would take for a young Chris is the driving force behind Australian to become genuinely non- Hello Sunday Morning, a community reliant on alcohol – emotionally, socially of bloggers who challenge themselves and psychologically. to go without alcohol for a set time He had his last drink for the year at (3 months, 6 months, a year) and share 4am on 1 January 2010. their experiences online. That it seemed like madness is indicative of a culture where alcohol is so thoroughly normalised. His friends It’s actually about living said they didn’t believe he could do it, more; living the best quality and one suspects that was the last straw life you can. You can’t be of motivation he needed. living life to the fullest and Chris began blogging his experiences achieving your personal bests at Hello Sunday Morning as a way of when you’re getting pissed remaining publicly accountable. At first, it was all about himself, but a few every weekend. months in, he began encouraging others to join him, and the blog has slowly It all started with a hangover-inspired grown in participants. At the time epiphany late in 2008. Feeling “bloody of writing, 160 people have either awful yet again” on a Sunday morning, completed or are currently doing Chris began thinking about how much a “Hello Sunday Morning.” Most more he could be achieving if he wasn’t participants are Australians, but several drinking so heavily and so regularly. blog from overseas, including at least He’d also been reading how one New Zealander. Australia’s binge-drinking culture cost One thing he wants people to the country over AUS$15 billion and understand from the outset is that Hello was responsible for the death of more Sunday Morning is not primarily about than 260 young Australians each year. drinking less. But he felt the government’s fear-based “It’s actually about living more; advertising campaigns designed to warn living the best quality life you can. You young Australians off the drink weren’t can’t be living life to the fullest and

24 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Being able to transcend all those cultural triggers around alcohol is actually pretty amazing; very empowering.

Chris Raine achieving your personal bests when people who want to challenge the a real downer. I’ve got places to go and you’re getting pissed every weekend, priority alcohol has come to hold in things to do that are so much more but for me the focus should be on what’s their lives. important. being gained, not on what’s being lost.” “Our culture forces us into drinking “Being alcohol-free for an entire year For Chris, that meant rearranging situations. Our identities become was enough to give me a real sense of things in his life so that he could entwined with drinking. Hello Sunday objectivity I can continually return to. embrace the challenge to do everything Morning gives us a break to get a I know that life can be better than great a young, single bloke would want to do, perspective on that and the courage to without drinking, and being able to but all without the booze. believe it doesn’t have to be that way.” transcend all those cultural triggers “I wanted to be able to go nuts on the So what was it like going a year around alcohol is actually pretty dance floor, laugh myself stupid with my without alcohol? amazing; very empowering.” mates, go out and pick up – all the things “To tell the truth,” he says, “It was a He’s looking forward to doing a I would normally have only done after a bit like stepping out into a wilderness of second Hello Sunday Morning just fair bit of drinking,” he says. unfamiliar territory. The first 3 months because he enjoys the intensity and focus “People who don’t need alcohol to were filled with ups and downs. At it brings. relax and be themselves are the people times, it felt like a large part of my life The hope is that Hello Sunday I admire most. I’m inspired by people was missing and it was hard, but then it Morning will catch on and eventually go who rely on their own faculties, who began to plateau. After 6 months, it quite global. Most people have 150 others challenge themselves, and I wanted to became quite normal, and by the end, in their social circle whom they could become more like that.” it just wasn’t a big deal at all.” influence, the website says, either to do He says others join to set and achieve In fact, as the end of the 12 months the programme or to just positively very different goals, and that’s fine with approached, Chris felt a sense of influence the drinking attitudes and him. The aim is for everyone who does apprehension about stepping out of the behaviours of those around them. the programme to achieve positive alcohol-free architecture he had created So if you can set aside 3 months transformations in their lives and, by for himself, but the transition went pretty this year, why not consider giving Hello regularly blogging about those changes, smoothly. Sunday Morning a go? It doesn’t just influence those around them. He’s a firm “The first night I could drink again, have to be about alcohol. We could all believer in the power of storytelling and I didn’t feel all that good about where do with some extra focus and positive the importance of social media. I was so I decided I wouldn’t drink. It goal setting. But he warns that, while a lot of was easy. It wasn’t a battle and it was As one Hello Sunday Morning people do Hello Sunday Morning great to be able to make that decision. participant said, it all comes down because they don’t like how much The second night I had a couple of drinks to self-belief and confidence – and they’re drinking, it’s not a substitute and thought I could take or leave the explaining this is why you’re not for treatment. woozy way it made me feel.” currently drinking can work as an “It’s not something that will cure you Chris now enjoys alcohol but keeps “excellent pick-up line.” if you have a serious alcohol problem. tabs on himself and stops as soon as he We’re not a church group or Alcoholics begins to first feel its effects. Find out more and register at Anonymous with a 12-step programme. “Too much alcohol and you lose www.hellosundaymorning.com.au Hello Sunday Morning is a tool for motivation and productivity, which is

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 25 Drugs and development – joining the dots

At global bodies such as the United Nations (UN) and across member states, drug policy and development policy have traditionally been viewed as separate discourses. Practitioners in each field have rarely sought to identify how drug and development issues intersect. However, this is starting to change as the linkages between drugs and development become impossible to ignore.

In the lead-up to the UN Millennium The actual income earned by the Development Goal (MDG) Summit in majority of opium poppy and coca- September 2010, Secretary-General Ban producing households bears little Ki-moon declared, “We must recognise resemblance to the final market price. the major impediment to development It is estimated that farmers earn only posed by drug abuse and illicit 1 percent of the overall global illicit trafficking.” drug income while most of the And in October 2010, The Lancet remaining revenue is earned by featured a report on how drug crime traffickers in developed, rather than and criminalisation threaten progress developing, countries. We must recognise on MDGs. Underlying tensions between the the major impediment Despite growing recognition of the objectives and strategies implemented impact of illicit drugs on development, in the name of drug control and those to development posed the mainstream development community of the development community have not by drug abuse and has paid inadequate attention to these helped advance collaboration between illicit trafficking. issues. Tellingly, the United Nations these sectors. For decades, global drug Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is policy, influenced by the UN UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon not even a ‘UN partner’ on the MDGs. Conventions, has relied on a Likewise, those working on illicit prohibitionist approach that has drugs issues often don’t consider the focused mainly on curbing supply. broader social and economic contexts in But this ‘war on drugs’ approach has which drug production, trafficking and had significant adverse impacts on use occur. Illicit drug production is health, socio-economic development, mainly concentrated in developing human rights and the environment. countries and undertaken by the poorest Likewise, traditional development and most vulnerable population groups. orthodoxy has often focused on They inhabit hostile environments and achieving macroeconomic growth at the are often subject to inequitable land expense of considerations about equity tenure and credit arrangements. and social inclusion. The rapid social

26 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Women cultivating poppy plants near Bhopal, India.

changes that have accompanied the The cultivation and refinement of dramatic economic growth across parts naturally derived drugs can also have of south-east Asia have contributed to adverse ecological effects, while crop the increased use of illicit drugs. As eradication is a major cause of always, it is the most vulnerable and deforestation and may deprive some of marginalised groups that bear the brunt the poorest people on the planet of their of drug-related harms. chief livelihoods. The high cost of drug There are many ways by which law enforcement is another negative the use of illicit drugs, along with impact from a development perspective, efforts to control their production diverting limited resources from other and distribution, can impact on priority areas. development. Drug use contributes to It is clear that drug use and markets diminished health, leading to higher and the strategies that are employed to healthcare costs and decreased earnings tackle them are closely linked with both at a population level. This is most development and underdevelopment. It obvious in the area of HIV/AIDS where is also undeniable that, regardless of the the sharing of needles among people overall level of economic development who inject drugs spreads HIV. in a country, drugs have a much greater Involvement in the illicit drugs negative impact on the poorest and most market, often a result of poverty, also vulnerable segments in society. diverts people and resources from To attain sustainable, positive and legitimate economic activities and can lasting results, there needs to be a have serious consequences for long-term recognition that drug control and human development. Huge profits development efforts must go hand associated with the drug market foster in hand. Approaches to reduce drug organised crime and corruption, which production and use need to include in turn undermines good governance. measures to improve social and This is abundantly clear across the globe economic opportunities. In addition, from Mexico to Afghanistan. strategies aimed to develop human www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 27 Coca farmers have lunch during their fifth day of protests in Taraza, northern Colombia, 2008. Thousands of farmers who plant coca, the raw material for cocaine, protested against a government programme of manual eradication of illegal crops. (AP Photo/Luis Benavides)

It is also undeniable that, capital, advance social inclusion, men, women and children from the regardless of the overall level improve public health, foster good abject and dehumanising conditions of economic development in a governance, promote sustainable of extreme poverty by 2015”. country, drugs have a much economic growth and alleviate poverty Specifically, 189 heads of state and need to include – in a synergetic, their representatives committed to the greater negative impact on the complementary and carefully planned following goals: eradicating extreme poorest and most vulnerable manner – actions that address the poverty and hunger; achieving universal segments in society. production, trafficking and use of primary education; promoting gender illicit drugs. equality and the empowerment of It is imperative that the development women; registering a significant movement take steps to analyse these reduction in infant and maternal linkages, engage in these debates and mortality; gaining control of infectious promote ‘joined up’ policies and disease such as HIV/AIDS and malaria; programmes that effectively tackle the protecting environmental quality; marginalisation and stigmatisation of and developing a global partnership already disadvantaged communities that of rich and poor nations for sustainable are most affected by drug markets and development. use. In particular, UNDP, as the lead UN With less than 4 years to go, the agency on development issues, should universal attainment of the MDGs is commence working on this area by looking increasingly elusive. While some strengthening cooperation with UNODC countries have made considerable in order to develop a shared progress towards some goals, other understanding of existing challenges and countries are lagging far behind. provide shared leadership on promoting To maximise progress, development effective responses. policy makers and practitioners must The MDGs originated as a pledge broaden their horizons and ensure the made by world leaders at a UN Summit strategies they promote take into account in 2000. They agreed to “free our fellow drug issues and do not unwittingly

28 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance

My condolences to the supporters of California’s Prop 19. If only you had a way to soothe your sorrows. Tweet from Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, after the failure of Proposition 19 in California during last year’s mid-term elections. The measure would have allowed local bodies in the state to tax and regulate marijuana use.

If all it does is give them truckloads of beer and then to get cash they have to promote everybody drinking lots of it, it’s not a good thing. New Zealand Rugby League Chief Soldiers from the Thai military chop Executive Jim Doyle says clubs poppies in Chiang Mai province, sponsored by alcohol companies “are northern Thailand. being encouraged to look elsewhere”. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) He also says league’s days of benefiting from alcohol sponsorships are numbered. He has vowed the national team, previously known as the Lion Red Kiwis, create the very conditions that lead to won’t use alcohol sponsors. an increase in drug use and harms. And those working on drug issues should consider the wider social The effect of alcohol on car and economic forces that drive crashes and any trauma is just so drug production, trafficking and underestimated by people who consumption. In this regard, efforts to have an ability to make a change view illicit drug use through a health – and I’m talking specifically and social policy lens and the shift about people in government. towards more balanced drug policies Peter Freeman, Clinical Director of in many countries are welcome steps Wellington Hospital’s Emergency that should help bridge the gap Department, says his colleagues around between the development and drug the country are horrified at the waste of policy sectors. life from alcohol-related car crashes. But there is still a long way to go Haribab, left, and Ram Pagal inject one another to find an integrated approach to drug with the same needle at Kashmiri Gate in New Delhi. India has the largest number of HIV control that maximises the protection positive people in the world, with approximately We’re going to buy the biggest of health and human rights and the 2.5 million. (AP Photo/John Mathew) round in Australian history. promotion of equitable social and economic development. VB’s Craig Maclean is urging all Aussies to get behind their team as they fight to reclaim the Ashes. The Australian This article is based on a paper by Martina Melis and Marie Nougier that was written cricket team sponsor pledged to buy a for the International Drug Policy Consortium beer for every adult in the country if (IDPC) and examines how global action against the home side beat England to take the illicit drugs impacts on the United Nations Ashes series. Millennium Development Goals. Read the full briefing paper at www.idpc.net

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 29 Opinion

The debate down at Goodbye Blue Monday

New Zealand’s drinking culture needs to change. The government is currently seeking submissions from the public on its Alcohol Reform Bill, and many in communities are mobilising to do just that. Christchurch CAYAD Co-ordinator Mike Moss writes about a local debate he helped organise to get his community informed and vocal.

There have been workshops and alcohol law reform. We argued that over presentations all across the country to 80 percent of New Zealanders drink, so discuss and prepare those concerned to alcohol should be treated like any other make Alcohol Reform Bill submissions, food or drink product and should but we wanted to do something a little continue to be available at supermarkets different. We wanted to bring the and corner stores at affordable prices. discussions to the bars themselves. On the other side, Alistair Humphrey When you read The Hobbit or The from the Canterbury District Health Mike Lord of the Rings, all the interesting Board and Police Sergeant Al Lawn from Moss meetings are held down at the local inn. Former Mayor Garry Moore and his For the three days a family run a bar in Christchurch named Goodbye Blue Monday, and week between Thursday we thought such a bar was an ironic and Saturday, alcohol takes but perfect place to hold a debate on away our Police force. alcohol law reform. the Alcohol Strategy and Enforcement When you read The Hobbit Team argued in favour of the recommendations made by the Law or The Lord of the Rings, all Commission’s review that preceded the the interesting meetings are government bill. Their main point was held down at the local inn. that alcohol is no ordinary commodity. Alistair spoke on the medical issues The idea was to thrash out from arising from our current drinking numerous perspectives the various culture. He was also able to highlight proposals in the government’s bill. just how dangerous binge drinking is Labour MP Lianne Dalziel and I argued and the impact it has medically. He said that alcohol is an everyday item that that, between Thursday and Saturday should be readily available for anyone every week, over 75 percent of cases over 18. It was fun to laugh a bit about presented to hospital emergency the subject and to make the case against departments throughout the country

30 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz were alcohol related. It was also startling audience participation and questions, one in early 2011 at the same place. to hear that 25 percent of the population which proved very beneficial. An This time, we are hoping to get a drink over 45 percent of the nation’s interesting perspective came from a DJ representative from the hospitality alcohol. who played music in bars. One of the industry to join us. Al Lawn drew on his Police Law Commission’s original experience to make some compelling recommendations was to force bars to One noticeable omission points about alcohol’s effect on crime. close earlier, but this person argued this on the night was the absence He said that for the 3 days a week would have an unfair impact on DJs who between Thursday and Saturday, alcohol rely on being paid to play their music of anyone actually from the takes away our Police force. If you make into the wee hours of the morning. alcohol industry. an urgent call to the Police on these This was an interesting perspective I days, chances are they’ll be too busy hadn’t thought of. However, I would When you look at the way alcohol to come because there’s been another imagine that if bars closed earlier, is marketed and sold in New Zealand, drink-driving accident or some booze- they’d probably get the DJs in earlier it is no wonder our drinking culture is fuelled domestic violence they have to too, so I’m not so sure they’d end up so bad. Alcohol law reform is needed, attend first. He also explained the effect with less work. and those who will have the most effect alcohol has on mental health and One noticeable omission on the night on strengthening the Alcohol Reform suicide, and said he was sick of turning was the absence of anyone actually from Bill are people from communities who up to incidents where someone has the alcohol industry. Gary had invited a can speak up about the harms and the become intoxicated and done something number of people from the industry and hurt they are experiencing. In this as irreversible as killing themselves. from different brewing companies, but sense, individuals and communities At one stage, the debate was most didn’t even return his calls. It’s a are vital, and debates like the one we interrupted by a rather intoxicated shame they missed this opportunity to held can really play a part in giving gentleman who yelled out to us that have their point of view heard. communities a shared understanding people will drink for pleasure and The purpose of the debate was to and united voice. there’s no way around that fact. This generate discussions within the was the perfect opportunity to drive our community, so it was great to see Mike Moss has a background in social work point home that alcohol should be for everyone staying behind afterwards to and has been working in the Otautahi CAYAD continue talking. pleasure, but should not be used to get (Community Action on Youth and Drugs) absolutely hammered 3 nights a week! Over all, the debate was a success, so team in Christchurch for the last 3 years. After the debate, there was a time for much so that we are organising another www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 31 New Zealand News

Alcohol ban call threat to public health”, the cyclist’s death, the Liquor support from health sector as park erupts study said. Licensing Authority has representatives, opposition Study leader Professor determined. MPs and the Mäori Party, but Jennie Connor said the The Authority ordered a response from Cabinet is probability of people binge a suspension of the bar’s likely to be tempered. drinking increased 4 percent licence for three days because Besides tobacco for every off-licence within a of its failures that day. companies, one of the report’s kilometre of their home. The driver was main opponents is the Each club within a controversially sentenced to Association of Community kilometre radius increased 12 months’ home detention Retailers (ACR), which argues Christchurch Police and the amount of drinking- after pleading guilty to that enforced changes to Mayor Bob Parker said they related harm by nearly 6 driving under the influence displays will be costly, and would support an alcohol ban percent. Each off-licence of alcohol causing death and price spikes and limited at all public events at increased reported harm failing to stop for an injury supply will lead to more Christchurch’s Hagley Park by more than 2 percent. accident. robberies and organised crime after a drunken night of chaos Christchurch Police The Liquor Licensing feeding a black market. at Christmas in the Park. Alcohol Strategy and Authority’s decision found A spokesman from Police Christchurch Central Area Enforcement Team Leader there was no one qualified National Headquarters in Commander Inspector Derek Sergeant Al Lawn said the with a general manager’s Wellington said not enough Erasmus said Police arrested study confirmed what Police certificate working at the statistics had been compiled 10 people during the show. had observed for a long time. bar while the driver was since cigarette prices went up However, he said they could “The more licences you drinking there. 10 percent in May 2010 to have made “a lot more” have, the more competition suggest whether there had arrests if more officers were and the cheaper the price, Tobacco crime been a spike in tobacco- available. the more availability and the argument dismissed related robberies. A 15-year-old boy was more convenience,” he said. The ACR’s tobacco stabbed repeatedly in the face Nationally, the study spokesman, Richard Green, and body on a riverbank near found licensed premises had said his own experience and the concert. In another attack, increased from 6,295 in 1990 publicity about tobacco thefts a Police officer was assaulted to 14,183 in 2010. over the past few months, as he tried to break up a fight pointed to an obvious between two youths. Bar ‘failed to supervise’ increase in tobacco-related killer driver After a year-long inquiry crime since the price rise. Police want booze outlet In terms of cost to retailers, numbers slashed into the tobacco industry in New Zealand and the having to redesign shop Police believe the number consequences of tobacco use displays would hit retailers of liquor outlets in an area for Mäori, the Mäori Affairs in the pocket, as would the should be limited after a Select Committee has released drop in takings. study found nearby residents a report recommending strict Mr Green said while his were more susceptible to measures aimed at halving stance was about protecting alcohol problems. A bar that served 13 drinks to smoking by 2015 and turning small businesses financially The University of Otago a man before he killed a New Zealand into a smokefree and in terms of safety, there study, published in the cyclist in a hit-and-run crash nation by 2025. were also concerns about an Journal of Epidemiology and failed to adequately supervise It wants the government erosion of rights. Community Health, found a his drinking or stop him to reduce the amount of “I want freedom of choice. “clear association” between getting behind the wheel. tobacco imported, force I want our fundamental the number of alcohol outlets The owner of the bar in tobacco products to be sold human rights given back to and the alcohol-related harm Canterbury was even drinking in plain packaging, extend us in New Zealand.” reported by people living with driver before the driver smokefree areas to vehicles, Mäori Affairs Select within 1 kilometre of staggered out of the premises. ban vending machines, make Committee Chairman Tau the sites. But in spite of having tobacco companies fund Henare said there is no A growth in liquor outlets “failed badly”, The Rock smoking cessation products evidence of a spike in in the past 20 years, coupled Restaurant and Bar in and ban tobacco displays tobacco-related crime due with their concentration in Rolleston could not be held in shops. to price increases. poorer areas, “constitutes a directly responsible for the The report has plenty of “You might as well say

32 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz it’s because of the alignment he would tell them to keep But he denies smoking Alcoholism and Drug of Mars and Jupiter,” he said. drinking. while driving, saying he had a Addiction Act 1966 with a “All they are worried “If the person is suicidal few ‘cones’ from his Powerade new Act that would make the about is their bottom line, or severely depressed or has bottle bong while waiting for law more user friendly while quite frankly, and if they are other medical problems like goods to be loaded on his at the same time providing worried about their bottom a gastric ulcer that requires articulated truck at Picton. much greater safeguards for line because of tobacco sales, them to stop drinking, you “My opinion on smoking people forced to undergo then as far as I’m concerned, are in a real bind,” he said. and driving? Mate, you’ve got compulsory treatment. they are just tobacconists, National Addiction Centre to be joking. You have to have On average, 74 people are they are not dairies or director Professor Doug two hands on the wheel. I’m compulsorily detained each retailers.” Sellman said there were wiser than that. year under the current Act. There has been problems across the country “I only took the bong with Currently, there are only speculation about links for people needing medical me because I’d been four facilities authorised to between the ACR and the detoxification beds. constipated for 7 days. When accept people under tobacco industry. He said there were about you haven’t been to the toilet compulsory treatment orders Mr Green said he had 120,000 people with an for [that long], you start after they have completed undertaken public relations alcohol-addiction problem in worrying... after two pipes, detoxification in a hospital. on behalf of retailers with New Zealand, and about 10 I was quite relieved.” None was willing to take some logistical assistance, percent of them would need Jury, who has been a truck young people under 20, and including the use of office medical detox to stop drinking. driver for more than 20 years, none was available outside space from Glenn Inwood, a “If you can’t get a place believed the constipation was the three main centres. PR man who has represented and can’t get medical attention caused by Tramadol, a In the course of its review, Imperial Tobacco, but said he and suffer convulsions, it’s painkiller he was taking after the Commission heard that had not received any funding best to keep drinking,” a shoulder operation. family members and others assistance. he said. “Tramadol’s got that much concerned about a person “I don’t have any codeine in it, it makes you Sellman said there was with severe dependence have communication with tobacco wander all over the road. It probably more detoxing in considerable difficulty companies whatsoever,” he was giving me hot and cold Police cells than at medical applying to the courts for a said. flushes and making me feel detox units because compulsory treatment order. nauseous. I’d rather have a New Zealand treated In addition, the lack of pipe or bong to relax the mind Alcoholics told to alcoholism and drug facilities meant judges had than take that stuff and feel keep drinking addiction as a justice issue sometimes been forced to like you’ve got a fever.” rather than a health issue. decline applications to have a person committed simply Constipated truckie Compulsory treatment because they were unable to relieved by cannabis law reviewed find an institution willing to A truck driver caught take the person. smoking cannabis behind the “The threshold for forcing wheel of a 40-tonne someone to undergo treatment Doctors are telling severe dangerous goods truck says he is deliberately set high alcoholics needing help to took the drug to ease because the law places great keep drinking because there constipation. value on individual is a shortage of acute Lawrence Jury was picked autonomy. detoxification beds in the up by Police in Blenheim New Zealand needs a “However, in these rare South Island, specialists say. after other motorists allegedly greater range of residential cases of severe dependence, A Canterbury doctor said saw him using a bong while programmes capable of where a person is at risk of he had dealt with several driving the rig down State providing for people requiring serious harm, it is essential patients who wanted to stop Highway 1 in October last compulsory drug and alcohol that the assessment process drinking but could not do so year. treatment according to the is prompt and easily accessed safely unless in a hospital He was found to have Law Commission. and that there are enough or a detox unit. cannabis in his blood and The Law Commission’s specialist residential facilities Heavy drinkers could admitted charges of possessing latest report, Compulsory around the country to suffer from seizures and cannabis, utensils to smoke Treatment for Substance provide the care,” said Law delirium while detoxing, cannabis and driving under Dependence, proposes Commission President Sir so if no beds were available, the influence of drugs. replacing the outdated Geoffrey Palmer. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 33 Under the Commission’s Smokers quit in droves will be made by amending colourful Ken Morgan – said proposals, anybody over the the Smoke-free Environments the protest followed a 3- age of 18 who believed a Act. month nationwide tour that person met the criteria for The government will also had collected 4,300 signatures compulsory treatment consider requiring tobacco on a petition calling for would be able to contact an to be sold in plain packaging cannabis law reform. official who would arrange by 2012. for an assessment. Greens miffed at Big In order to meet the Police hands off with pot Tobacco’s law call smoking protesters criteria for compulsory The number of smokers treatment, a person would quitting nearly doubled after have to have severe substance tobacco tax hikes last April, dependence, be at risk from new research suggests. significant harm and be Quit Group Chief likely to benefit from, but Executive Paula Snowden have refused, treatment. said 4,000 smokers registered The initial maximum with the help line in May The Greens have stepped up period of compulsory 2010, a 93 percent increase their attack on a planned treatment would be 6 weeks on May 2009. Police say there was no need trans-Pacific free-trade zone with the potential for the More than two-thirds said for them to intervene when after tobacco giant Philip Family Court to extend the the April tax rises were a pro-cannabis campaigners Morris called for the right to reason for them deciding to period for a further 3 months lit up on the grounds of challenge anti-smoking laws. stop smoking, and more than Parliament during a protest where a person appeared to Greens co-leader Russel a quarter had not tried to kick rally. have a brain injury caused Norman revealed a Philip the habit in the previous year. Senior Sergeant Scott by drug or alcohol use, so Morris submission to the The price of a packet of Miller said Police had acted that more time was needed United States Government cigarettes rose by 10 percent in consultation with the to treat them or make that insisted any deal must and loose tobacco by 24 Speaker of the House, allow challenges to laws such arrangements for their percent after Parliament Lockwood Smith, and a as the regulation of cigarette ongoing care. passed urgent legislation on decision had been made to packaging or bans on tobacco The key objectives of the 28 April. The increase was monitor the situation and act products. period of compulsion were followed by a 10 percent rise only if there was violence or The company is presently to provide immediate safety on all tobacco products in an attempt to breach the suing the Uruguay from harm and to stabilise the January 2011. barricades. government over a law person medically, including “This is a big hit to “We had a good meeting requiring graphic warnings providing detoxification. peoples’ wallets and could with the leaders prior to the on smoking to cover 80 There would be a much quickly amount to the march; the Police role was percent of cigarette packs, greater emphasis on providing equivalent of a tank of petrol basically to bring the protest saying it infringes trademark comprehensive specialist in a week or even a week’s from the park through town rights under a free-trade deal assessments and long-term rent over a month. A further – not interfering with the with Switzerland, where it treatment plans for the period 10 percent in January 2012 traffic and the public – to will keep the pressure on,” has a base. after discharge. Parliament where they were Ms Snowden said. going to stay in the grass area. Mr Norman said the Philip The new Act would also The tax hikes were We were looking for a nice Morris submission on the provide much stronger legal followed by a government peaceful morning, which we proposed Trans-Pacific safeguards than the current decision to introduce tighter had, which was good. Partnership showed it wanted legislation, ensuring that a controls on the display and Around 50 pro-cannabis similar powers under that person under a compulsory sale of tobacco. campaigners descended on deal. treatment order has the They include prohibiting Parliament on 11 November, “Most New Zealanders same patient rights and any visible display of tobacco openly smoking cannabis will be shocked to learn opportunities for review products, tighter rules on joints and pipes. Philip Morris is using trade that apply to those held under displaying trading names for Organiser Dakta Green agreements to try to stop mental health legislation. tobacco outlets and instant – who runs a cannabis cafe in governments from introducing The full report can be fines for the sale of tobacco to Auckland and legally changed anti-smoking measures. But it found at www.lawcom.govt.nz. people under 18. The changes his name from the less is true.”

34 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz World News

Hopping mad at and provide a gateway to rate because they had focused “I commend the wallaby abuse treatment and counselling. on hot spots such as government of Cambodia Irish Police have launched “We would all prefer a nightclubs, rave parties and for launching this pilot an investigation after a world where such a facility is truck routes. programme. Evidence shows wallaby was allegedly plied not needed,” Ms Tebbutt said. The AFL tests all listed that such initiatives are more “However, we have to deal players at least once a year effective than incarceration with ecstasy and alcohol and with the world as it is, not as and last year conducted more in addressing the social died at a hotel disco. we would like it be.” than 1,500 tests, with 14, or problems caused by The marsupial was let The Police Commissioner one in 112, positive. addiction.” loose among more than 150 and the Director-General of revellers dancing at the NSW Health will continue Clarion Hotel in west Dublin, Ban Ki-moon and wife Lebanon claims largest to oversee the centre, and it to the theme tune of administer methadone glass of wine will undergo regular statutory Australian television show Lebanon has claimed a evaluations every 5 years. Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, record for the world’s biggest The centre is run by the Belfast Telegraph glass of wine. UnitingCare NSW and is reported. Organisers of a wine funded from confiscated Outraged animal welfare festival in Beirut poured proceeds of crime. campaigners sparked the around one hundred bottles investigation after watching of Lebanese wine into the Cops top drug test giant glass, 2.4 metres high a film of the incident on UN Secretary General Ban fail rate and 1.65 metres wide. Facebook. Ki-moon and his wife Ban “The previous record was Detectives have Soon-taek visited Cambodia’s set in Portugal 12 years ago, questioned Super Circus first methadone maintenance and I’m proud to announce Sydney owner Alexander therapy (MMT) in central that Lebanon has achieved a Scholl, sited 500 metres away Phnom Penh as part of a new record,” said Guinness from the hotel, in relation to 2-day visit to the Kingdom World Records adjudicator the incident, but Scholl last October. Liz Smith. maintains he is innocent. While there, Ban Ki-moon The size of the glass meant Police sources say it is Australian police are unveiled a plaque to that, even with dozens of still unclear where the animal failing drug tests more often commemorate his visit and bottles poured in, it was not had come from or been taken than motorists or AFL learned of the objectives of even a quarter full. And no to after the incident. footballers. the methadone programme one appeared in a rush to Shock new figures reveal and its achievements since drink from the cocktail of red, three officers tested positive dosing began on 1 July 2010. Kings Cross injecting white and rosé wines, which to illicit drugs in recent The couple met with centre there to stay were sloshed in with weeks, with two facing six methadone patients abandon. possible criminal charges. “who represent the wide The wine glass may be a Hundreds more Police will range of socioeconomic useful accompaniment for be checked as the force backgrounds of the current Lebanon’s other forays into accelerates its drug and 61 clients enrolled in the culinary extremes. In recent alcohol testing. programme. Each patient years, it has claimed the Testing programme head received their respective world’s biggest servings of Acting Inspector John Felton doses of methadone from kibbeh and tabbouleh, Legislation to make the said officers would soon face the UN Secretary-General traditional meat and salad Medically Supervised a better than one in 10 chance and his wife, who had dishes, and the biggest bowl Injecting Centre (MSIC) a of being tested each year. requested the opportunity of hummus. permanent fixture in Sydney’s “To have three (positives) to assist. Kings Cross has been passed in such a short space of time In a speech to a crowd by both houses of the New is disappointing, but it also of onlookers, Ban Ki-moon Aussie support for death South Wales Parliament. tells me that our approach is noted that the methadone penalty alive and well Health Minister Carmel sound,” he said. programme was providing There seems to be a new Tebbutt says, in the 9 years it Police say one in 69 an important service, not mood of decency sweeping has been operating, the centre motorists failing roadside just to people struggling to the Indonesian judiciary. has been shown to reduce drug tests in the first 6 months conquer addiction, but to The Constitutional Court of drug overdoses and deaths of the year was a high strike the broader community. Indonesia has suggested all www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 35 death sentences might be Thirteen inmates were bills pending in the harms associated with commuted in future. reportedly executed on 5 commonwealth’s 17th drinking alcohol, particularly But the prosecutor of Bali October and 10 on 12 October Legislature. as adolescence is such a Nine member Scott Rush 2010 in Execution Hallway, critical time for brain made it clear during the located near the visitation Child binge-drinking development.” young man’s appeal that the room. The executions were study released Deakin University’s people of Indonesia don’t carried out contrary to School of Psychology is due share the senior judges’ Islamic law and without any to release a paper detailing vision. prior notice for the families the findings in coming “We believe the involved or any of the months. Indonesian people would victims’ lawyers being consider the death penalty informed. Costumed caper appropriate in this case,” On 12 October, Attorney- he said. General Gholam Hossein And so do many Mohseni Ejei stated that The Australian Drug Australians. Only a year ago, suspects of drug-related Foundation has released a Morgan poll found 50 crimes should be tried in the some of the findings of a percent of Australians wanted shortest time possible and not Deakin University study that Indonesia to execute Rush, shown any mercy, even when questioned nearly 4,000 Andrew Chan and Myuran they are low-level traffickers. children aged between 10 Sukumaran, who were found “Some of the people and 14 on underage drinking. A Nebraska police officer guilty of trying to smuggle arrested with drugs are not Among the study’s key pulled over a pick-up being more than 8 kilograms of the main drug traffickers, and findings were that children driven erratically and heroin from Bali into they don’t benefit from this who got alcohol from people arrested Matthew Nieveen, other than parents are up to Australia. materially, but the main drug 19, for driving under the six times more likely to That same poll showed trafficker deceives these influence and being a minor binge drink, and adolescents support for executing people while he is sitting in in possession of alcohol. reporting the presence of murderers in Australia had a safe place and another According to a Police family conflict were more fallen to 23 percent – a record person is tried in his place report, Nieveen had watery likely to obtain alcohol low. and even executed.” eyes and slurred speech and from a person other than Queenslanders (33 percent) The Campaign has made smelled like alcohol. He was a parent. and West Australians several unsuccessful attempts also dressed as a PBT It also found the more (38 percent) are the most keen to persuade the Iranian (preliminary breath testing) authorities to release friends a child has who to bring back the noose. Men alcohol sensor and had been statistics on the executions. drink alcohol, the more (36 percent) are keener than attending a Halloween party likely that child is to obtain women (21 percent), and prior to the stop. His blood alcohol from people other Australians aged between Marijuana now legal in than a parent. alcohol measured more than 25 and 54 are actually Northern Marianas “We know that, when twice the legal limit of .08 more enthusiastic (about young people binge drink, percent. The legal limit for 32 percent) than those older they are more at risk of harms minors is zero. and younger (24 percent) such as sexual assault, injury Last Halloween, an about the death penalty for or even death,” Australian 18-year-old in a similar drug smugglers. Drug Foundation Chief outfit was arrested for driving Executive John Rogerson drunk in Oxford, Ohio. Suspected drug traffickers said. “It can also set children In other Halloween secretly executed A bill legalising, regulating up for a lifetime of heavy costume news, Nebraska Reports to the International and taxing marijuana for drinking.” officers also arrested a French Campaign for Human Rights medicinal and personal use The Australian Drug maid and someone described in Iran indicate widespread has passed in the House of Foundation says an effective in reports as a “naughty secret group executions of Representatives in the measure to protect children border patrol agent”. Both hundreds of inmates continue Northern Marianas (a is a law that puts parents in women were under 21 and in Vakilabad prison in commonwealth in political control of their children’s were arrested on suspicion of Mashad. Most of the executed union with the United drinking. driving under the influence inmates were charged with States). It is one of several “We need stricter laws to and being minors in drug trafficking. new revenue-generating protect our children from the possession of alcohol.

36 matters of substance February 11 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Mythbusters

Substance and Substantiation

Is alcohol cheaper than bottled water?

University of Otago research claiming that some alcohol in New Zealand is more affordable than bottled water attracted an avalanche of publicity in October last year. It made the front page of the New Zealand Herald, and appeared in international news outlets from Asia to Latin America. Yet almost as soon as this research was announced, it came under attack from certain quarters. Could alcohol really be cheaper than bottled water in the Land of the Long White Cloud? Mythbusters investigates…

The research in question focused or 30ml of straight spirits. When Mythbusters visited the website primarily on evaluating trends in alcohol measuring alcohol, it is the number www.lips.co.nz on several occasions affordability over time. Using price data of standard drinks, not the amount and was always able to find discounts collected by Statistics New Zealand for of liquid that matters. equal to (or better) than those the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Using a website that documents identified by the researchers. average hourly earnings from the discounts on alcohol at outlets Whilst the media may have New Zealand Income Survey, the throughout New Zealand (www.lips.co. sensationalised their findings, the authors demonstrated that alcohol has nz), the researchers found that 3 litres of researchers themselves were explicit clearly become more affordable over white cask wine at 11.5 percent alcohol about their results. “Some alcohol is the past decade. Next, they looked could be bought for $16.99, which works more affordable than bottled water.” specifically at the price of discounted out at 62 cents per standard drink. This is undeniable and a alcohol and compared this with the Likewise, 12 330ml bottles of beer at conclusion reached on the basis price of bottled water. Startlingly, some 5 percent was selling for $9.99, which of robust methodology and data. alcohol was found to be cheaper than works out at 64 cents per standard drink. Importantly, the authors never claimed bottled water. A litre of spirits at 40 percent could be that all alcohol is cheaper than all Those refuting the finding point out bought for $25.00, equivalent to 78 cents bottled water. that the study did not compare equal per standard drink. The notion that price comparisons volumes of alcohol and water. But between alcohol and water should have attempting to draw meaningful When measuring alcohol, been done on a volumetric basis is comparisons on the basis of volume is it is the number of standard fundamentally flawed. Nonetheless, problematic because alcohol comes in drinks, not the amount of some alcohol is cheaper than bottled a great many types and strengths. While water even on a ml for ml basis. the alcohol strength of beer typically liquid that matters. As Sir Geoffrey Palmer noted, “A can ranges between 3.5 and 5 percent, most of beer or an RTD can be bought for 1 or wine ranges between 11 and 14 percent, These prices were then compared 2 dollars in many retail outlets. This is while some spirits can exceed 45 percent. with the price of 250ml of bottled water less than we pay for bottled water.” Alcohol can also be consumed in various using the average 2010 CPI data – A quick browse at a nearby discount ways: spirits are frequently diluted with 67 cents. This volume was selected liquor store was all it took to prove that non-alcoholic mixers while wine and because it is a standard serving size for he, too, is absolutely correct. beer are consumed straight. non-alcoholic beverages recognised by This is why best practice when nutritionists and equivalent to a typical Reference quantifying alcohol is to use the concept drinking glass. Gunasekara FI, Wilson N. Very cheap drinking of a standard drink. One standard drink At 62 cents per standard drink (cask in New Zealand: some alcohol is more affordable contains 10g of alcohol and is the wine) and 64 cents per standard drink than bottled water and nearly as cheap as milk. amount of alcohol found in an average (beer), some discounted alcohol is NZMJ 15 October 2010, Vol 123 No 1324:97-101. 330ml can of beer, a 100ml glass of wine indeed cheaper than bottled water. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance February 11 37