Student drinking: grim and chronic Rap’s bad drug rap Dope and academic doom Eugenics for addicts August 2010

Who’s giving your kids alcohol? Changes to social supply laws are among the most important of the Law Commission’s recommendations. They may help reduce excessive youth drinking and would protect parental rights over who gives alcohol to their children. But in the current political environment, what chance do they have of making it into law? Contents

matters of substance August 2010 Features Vol 20 No 3 ISSN 1177-200X 02 Cover Story 14 Experience. Insight. Hope. 10 Opinion matters of substance is published by the The minor issue of social Youth are part NZ Drug Foundation. All rights reserved. supply of the solution Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced without prior Debate about youth drinking permission of the NZ Drug Foundation. has been under the spotlight lately. Sarah Helm argues matters of substance invites feedback that, while youth may be and contributions. If you’re interested in contributing a guest editorial or article, part of the problem, they will please contact us: Two new websites have also play a vital role in [email protected] been launched this month bringing about positive change. p +64 4 801 6303 Young people today face sharing New Zealand stories extreme pressure to drink, about drugs and change. 29 Mythbusters Brand development/graphic design Smoke dope and become one? Origin Design +64 4 801 6644 and under current law, there [email protected] are few restrictions over 22 When drugs and Comparing media hype www.origindesign.co.nz who can supply alcohol to music overlap about cannabis use and minors. Rob Zorn investigates academic performance with NZ Drug Foundation how Law Commission what the research actually 3rd Floor, 111 Dixon Street PO Box 3082, Wellington, New Zealand proposals could help both says suggests some p +64 4 801 6303 kids and parents. journalists suffer from premature evaluation. Campus crackdown When you have finished with 12 this magazine, please recycle it. News Recent research from Berkeley suggests there may Key Events and Dates Become a member be some truth to 01 Here’s what’s coming up The NZ Drug Foundation has been stereotypical associations over the next few months to at the heart of major alcohol and between the drugs and other drug policy debates for over music people choose. help broaden your horizons. 20 years. During that time, we have Is the University of Otago’s demonstrated a strong commitment student alcohol crisis its 24 New Zealand News to advocating policies and practices marketing chickens coming Regulars based on the best evidence available. home to roost? Or is it just a local symptom of a wider 01 The Director’s Cut You can help us. A key strength of the social problem? NZ Drug Foundation lies in its diverse Ross Bell says the Drug membership base. As a member of the Foundation’s just-launched NZ Drug Foundation, you will receive 19 Youth leadership DrugHelp websites are a key information about major alcohol and on alcohol component of the other drug policy challenges. You can also government’s drug demand Our collection of local get involved in our work to find solutions reduction programme. drug and alcohol news to those challenges. highlights from the last Our membership includes health 16 Guest Editorial few months. promoters, primary health and Worse than cure community organisations, researchers, 26 World News students, schools and boards of trustees, policy makers, and addiction treatment agencies and workers. Missing from recent media headlines is the significant Membership and subscription enquiries number of young people [email protected] working for alcohol culture or visit our website. change. We profile community-level activities Release’s Niamh Eastwood News snippets from www.drugfoundation.org.nz of young people. warns that Project overseas: some are funny; Prevention, a controversial some are fearful; some will sterilisation programme for simply make you wonder. people addicted to drugs, is far from the humanitarian Quotes of Substance charity it claims to be. Sound and silly sayings about drugs and alcohol from here and around the world. matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The Director’s Cut Key Events and Dates

Cutting Edge 2010: Addiction Treatment Development, diversity and Leadership Day direction for a new decade 25 November, Wellington 16–18 June, Adelaide, Australia These leadership forums bring together 22–25 September, Auckland addiction workforce leaders from different functions: policy, planning, Cutting Edge is the national alcohol funding, training and education, and addiction treatment conference. service management and delivery, The 2010 conference will be the consumers and cultural leaders. 15th in as many years. www.matuaraki.org.nz This month the Drug makes people needing help www.cuttingedge2010.org.nz Foundation launched two fearful about asking for it. APSAD 2010 Conference: Public Health Association exciting new websites – We should be ashamed of the Building on the capital Conference: Tomorrow for www.drughelp.org.nz and barriers that have been put in 28 November – 1 December, tomorrow’s people Canberra, Australia www.methhelp.org.nz – front of those looking for help. 24–26 June, London, United Kingdom The Australian Professional Society on which are a significant The websites were tested 22–24 September, Ngaruawahia, Alcohol and other Drugs conference enhancement to our drug before being launched. We Waikato will focus on new treatment, information service. were really pleased to have The conference aims to bring prevention and policy in the areas of drug and alcohol research. The websites bring a clear very strong, positive feedback together public health workers to and simple message to people share their stories of today to help www.apsadconference.com.au from our ‘target audience’. build a health future for tomorrow. struggling with their drug use: People who use drugs and www.pha.org.nz/phaconference. 2nd Sport and Alcohol hope. There is hope for people people in recovery told us the html Conference: Finding the Balance whose drug use and addiction stories were genuine, the 9–11 February, Auckland has got in the way of their messages were credible, and Australian Drugs Conference: relationships and other things Public health and harm reduction the websites were engaging. SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE The 2nd Sport and Alcohol Conference important to them. There is 25–26 October, Melbourne, Australia ‘Finding the Balance’ Visit them and see for yourself. 9-11 FEBRUARY 2011 | MASSEY UNIVERSITY | AUCKLAND CONTACT: Sport and Alcohol Conference Secretariat C/- Massey University, Conference Services, hope for the family concerned This conference aims to explore Private Bag 11222 Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand | Tel +64 6 350 5117 Email [email protected]

The work on the websites Principle Sponsor: challenges and set new priorities Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand about a loved-one’s problematic www.sportandalcohol.com began in earnest in December to help address the health and drug use. last year, and we must social implications of problematic The relationship between sport and This message is carried by alcohol will be examined. Those acknowledge the Herculean substance use at the individual and people who have been there, community level. interested will include health efforts of a small bunch of educators, programme initiators, who have travelled the road people that made it possible to www.australiandrugsconference. national sporting organisation of addiction, and are working org.au go live with them this month. representatives, academics, through their recovery. Their government bodies and athletes. First the web builders, Signify stories tell of the good times, Involve: Connect: Together we www.sportandalcohol.com Ltd, who did the techie stuff, when the drugs were fun, are stronger and Origin Design who got 17–19 November, Auckland when everything was going 4th International Conference on the look-and-feel perfect. Involve provides an opportunity for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder great. They also speak of when Then our advisers from people who work with young people 2–5 March, Vancouver, Canada the problems began and things to gather together to enhance skills across the wider alcohol and The conference will provide an went pear-shaped. They share and strengthen connections to advanced forum for emerging and their struggles in seeking help other drug sector who guided promote young people’s positive cutting-edge research, policy and and their journeys through our work in the right direction, health and development. practice that will assist governments’ and the staff at the Drug www.involve.org.nz service systems, service providers treatment and recovery. and parents and caregivers. These are important stories Foundation who did the work. New Zealand Drug Foundation www.interprofessional.ubc.ca that add more than the An extra special thanks must go to a guy many in our Annual General Meeting important message that 23 November, Wellington 6th International Conference ‘treatment works’. As well as sector know: Michael Bird – on Drugs and Young People explaining about addiction he was the one people were 2–4 May, Melbourne, Australia treatment, the stories go a long willing to trust their heartfelt Themed ‘Making the Connections’, the conference will examine the stories to, and who knew the way towards reducing the complexity and interaction of factors stigma of addiction by giving audience and how to make a that influence young people’s lives the problem a human face. resource speak to them. Michael and will celebrate the role young people play in addressing drug harm. Too often media reports certainly worked his magic. Our AGM is a great chance for Finally, we are indebted to www.adf.org.au about drugs, gangs, violence members and friends to reflect the people who have shared and misery reinforce a very together on an extremely eventful Publicise your own event on our negative picture of people their stories with New Zealand; year and to look ahead to 2011. new-look website who use drugs. It is this it was a pretty brave thing to do. www.drugfoundation.org.nz www.drugfoundation.org.nz/events stigmatisation that often Happy viewing, Ross Bell. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 01 Cover Story The minor issue of social supply

The Law Commission says its latest report provides government with a blueprint for reducing both the short- and long-term effects of alcohol misuse on society. The Commission’s review has been comprehensive and its recommendations numerous at 153. It has encouraged the government to institute its recommendations a package, but how many will actually make it into law? Proposed changes to social supply laws, for example, are a little bit ‘touch and go’ – and for many, this is a concern. Rob Zorn

02 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 03 This is a really delicate balance because National is not in the business of getting into people’s homes on issues like this and telling them how to run their lives. Hon Simon Power

If implemented, the 153 response from government. Of course, there are exemptions: if recommendations in Alcohol in Our On the one hand, Power told the the supplier is the parent or guardian of Lives: Curbing the Harm would amount New Zealand Herald, “This is a really the minor or if the minor is attending a to a sweeping and radical overhaul of delicate balance because National is not private social gathering. Again, the Act New Zealand’s liquor laws. in the business of getting into people’s fails to define at what sorts of private Always with its finger on what it homes on issues like this and telling social gatherings one can give minors believes to be the nation’s pulse, the them how to run their lives.” alcohol. In fact, it fails to define private popular National government was But later he told the Dominion Post social gatherings at all. initially quick to reassure ordinary he was having a “hard look” at present Currently, there are no restrictions on New Zealanders who like a drink. Prime laws governing supply of alcohol to supplying alcohol to minors at private Minister John Key said he didn’t believe minors, especially in the light of media functions, in private homes or on the public was in the mood for wholesale attention around after-ball parties for unlicensed premises. What that means change, and the Commission’s report high school students. is that anyone at all at any non-public had barely been released before Justice ‘get-together’, such as a party or a Minister Simon Power said it was sleepover, can give your child alcohol. “extremely unlikely” the government Currently, there are no As things stand, the right of parents to would act on the proposal to raise the restrictions on supplying choose how their children are introduced excise tax on alcohol. alcohol to minors at private to alcohol is poorly protected in law. One recommendation down; 152 to go. functions, in private homes This is a tad troubling. The Ministry While the government has indicated or on unlicensed premises. of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Use Survey there will be legislative change in 2007/08 reported that a majority of response to the report, it has been a little 16–17-year-olds say they have consumed non-committal in the face of widespread large amounts of alcohol at someone This apparent softening of National’s calls for law reform from the public and else’s home; away from parents who, non-interference stance will be welcomed from numerous health experts. When you would expect, would implement by those who argue that, by failing to act on an organised coterie of 14 prominent the Law Commission’s recommendations rules around drinking and help shape New Zealanders, led by former around social supply, the government responsible attitudes towards alcohol Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves, would be failing to protect parents’ in their children. publicly backed the Law Commission’s sole rights – in their own homes – to Surprisingly, however, it would recommendations, Power said he would decide when and how their children appear that, for some parents, alcohol “respect their views along with the are introduced to alcohol. has become the new babysitter. views of other New Zealanders”. Under the current Sale of Liquor Act, According to Paul Radich, a Liquor This guarded approach, and the it is an offence to purchase alcohol with Licensing Inspector with the Manukau probability that the alcohol industry is the intent to supply it to a person under District Licensing Agency, parents acting vigorously asserting itself behind the 18 years of age. Clearly, then, one can’t as a restraining influence on their scenes, leaves one wondering just how go into a bottle store and buy alcohol at children’s drinking is no longer the norm. many of the remaining recommendations the request of the under-age wags hanging He describes a series of recent events have a chance. around outside. But apart from a clear- in Manukau involving large public The Law Commission’s suggested cut situation like that, what ‘intent to gatherings of drunk 15–17-year-olds changes to social supply laws, for supply’ means becomes a little murky, where, in 90 percent of cases, the kids example, have received a mixed and the Act fails to provide a definition. were given the alcohol by their parents.

04 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz For some reason, we’ve got it into our heads as a society that this is now a ‘rite of passage’ for young people. Once you turn 16, you have the right to drink and get completely off your face in an uncontrolled environment. Paul Radich

Advice for parents

The Australian Drug Foundation says it is but never easy, so here are some important “For some reason, we’ve got it into important parents understand the critical tips to remember: our heads as a society that this is now a role they play in introducing children to • Make your limits and restrictions as clear ‘rite of passage’ for young people. Once alcohol. Parents are currently one of the as possible. The smallest bit of ambiguity you turn 16, you have the right to drink main sources of alcohol for young people, can be all that is needed to tempt your and get completely off your face in an so it is vital that they teach their children teenager to push the boundaries. uncontrolled environment,” he says. about it and how to act responsibly. When • Set and clarify the consequences of He’d like to see the introduction of it comes to teaching children about alcohol, breaking the boundaries, what the a legal drinking age, rather than just remember the three Rs: punishment will be and how it will be a purchasing age. “If kids are going to drink, then they carried out. If boundaries are broken, make Relationships need to be that certain age – whatever sure you follow through with the action. Having to compete with peer pressure and parliament decides that age to be.” • Address the 3 Ws (when, where, and what). popularity is no easy task for any parent, Currently, it is an infringement Your child should know at what age they but it is important that children learn offence for anyone under 18 to drink in are permitted to drink, where they are about alcohol from you rather than from public unless they are accompanied by a their friends. permitted to drink (at home, parties etc) parent or guardian. The Law Commission and what they may drink, ranging from The best way to influence your child’s use is recommending that it should become types of alcohol to quantities. of alcohol is to maintain a good relationship a full offence for anyone under the age of 20 to drink or possess alcohol in a public with them. Research shows that teenagers Risks place, even if accompanied by a parent are much more likely to delay drinking when It is important children know why they they feel they have a close, supportive tie or guardian. should act responsibly when it comes to with a parent or guardian. This may remove some of the grey alcohol. Identify these risks: areas for authorities who have to deal It is also important to set a good example to • Behavioural – accidents and injuries, sex, with young people drinking in public your children about where, how and why you violence and embarrassing behaviour. and help force the problem back into the use alcohol. Young people are very good at • Physical – liver damage, heart and blood home – or at least out of the car parks. identifying double standards, so being aware disorders and brain damage, as well as One cannot write about social supply of how you use alcohol may help establish physical appearance. laws in New Zealand in 2010 without your credibility. mentioning student after-ball parties. Teenagers are usually very conscious of their These have featured heavily in the news Restrictions image and reputation, so making them aware this year because the school ball season Setting restrictions and boundaries when it of these risks may act as a deterrent to started just weeks after a 16-year-old comes to children and alcohol is important, drinking alcohol. King’s College student downed a bottle of vodka and subsequently died in his sleep. A number of after-ball parties were shut down or cancelled after a Manukau At one recent event, up to 500 young their kids off with RTDs in hand. District Licensing Authority and Police people had gathered at a car park where At another, police had to close a crackdown in Auckland. Their legality is Radich described the scene as absolute street after an end-of-term party got questionable because they only loosely chaos, with fights and kids passing out in completely out of hand. Again, there fit the definition of a private social alcoholic stupors. Nevertheless, a steady was violence including throwing bottles gathering, and the fact that students pay stream of parents drove in and dropped at Police cars. to get in and then drink for free means www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 05 What says ‘normal’ to our kids more than a range of products all their own? Anna Kenna

they may technically be selling alcohol booze at after-balls, we’ll go to town’.” pressure wasn’t around when we were to minors. He described a statement by two their age.” A group of King’s College parents Auckland teenagers that having alcohol She says it’s hard for parents to came under heavy fire in the media for banned at their after-ball party had compete with the way alcohol is attempting to organise a supervised “crushed everybody’s dreams” as glamorised and describes a full page after-ball party for the school’s students. deeply worrying. advertisement in a women’s magazine To gain entry, kids under 18 would have “It’s a real concern when underage featuring a slim and seductive woman had to front up with a parent. If over 18, kids feel it’s the end of their dreams if and associating a pre-mixed alcohol a signed permission slip from parents they’re denied alcohol. By organising product with female empowerment. would have been required. parties for them where they can drink, “I immediately thought what a It is not hard to understand what we’re sending them all the wrong messages contrast this image is from the reality of these people were thinking. Many and reinforcing their belief that you can’t where a lot of young girls who see it will parents are probably resigned to the fact have a good time without alcohol.” end up – spread-eagled and unconscious their kids are going to go out and get Auckland Mayor John Banks has also on Courtenay Place, lying in their own trashed after their school ball and there’s weighed in with similar sentiments. In a vomit, or locked up in a police van. little they can do to stop it. Surely it’s New Zealand Herald article, he wrote There’s a real contrast between the better to provide them with a venue that organising after-balls with alcohol glamour and the reality for many young where they can drink with supervising for students sends all the wrong signals people who drink. adults present, including bouncers to around moderation and responsible “Somehow we need to get the message keep the gate crashers out and paramedics parenting and that he couldn’t understand out that drunkenness isn’t cool, but to revive the ones who managed not to why kids need to be out drinking early you feel helpless against the power of be so well supervised. The alternative is in the morning. marketing. It’s so incredibly pervasive: to have them heading into town where Well, here’s why, perhaps. magazines, television, the internet, all sorts of trouble awaits in the early Anna Kenna is a Kapiti Coast writer alcohol-sponsored ads and events popping hours of the morning and mother to two daughters who have up on Facebook. Everywhere they look, But Radich says this sort of thinking only recently left school. alcohol is waved in front of them like is a mistake and that parents should not She says parents have a real battle some sort of ticket to a good time. see after-balls, at which alcohol is served fighting the normalisation of alcohol “How do we tell our kids this is to minors, as the ‘lesser of two evils’. to teenagers and that she’s blown away wrong when we do the same thing? As “After-balls have been a real eye-opener by the wide range of alcoholic products adults, we speak with a forked tongue.” for me. I didn’t understand the extent of that seem to have been developed just Through its consultation with the problem until I became involved for them. parents, principals and young people, with them over the last three years.” “What says ‘normal’ to our kids more the Law Commission has been made He told the Howick and Pakuranga than a range of products all their own? well aware of the extreme pressure Times, “When you get a large group of There’s even pastel pink cranberry stuff there is on young people to drink. In people together, not just teenagers, who that seems especially for the girls,” May, Cate Brett, a Senior Researcher are consuming alcohol, the risk always she says. and Policy Adviser with the Law increases in terms of those alcohol- “On the one hand, we’re putting this Commission, told the New Zealand related harms. Students are at more risk stuff out there for them and then we’re Herald parents were looking to the law with these after-balls. It’s a pointless turning around and trying to tell them to help relieve this pressure and to argument to say, ‘Well, if we don’t get not to drink too much. This sort of re-establish some parameters around

06 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The idea that parents can prevent alcohol misuse in their children by teaching them to drink responsibly at home – the so-called European model – is popular but not well supported in reality. Sarah Jaggard

Brooke their kids’ use of alcohol. responsible when buying alcohol for their The Law Commission is proposing kids. But sometimes, when parents say no, a raft of changes to help address kids just go to other places, and parents end problematic youth drinking including up not knowing what they are drinking. raising the purchase age back to 20 and “If after-ball parties are cancelled, kids will go banning advertising that especially off and drink where they aren’t supervised. appeals to people under 20. It’s far better for them to drink in an In terms of social supply, it is environment where they can be supervised recommending “it become an offence for Brooke, a 16-year-old and student at MacLeans and where limits are put on what can be any person to supply alcohol to a minor College in Buckland’s Beach, provides a drunk and you can’t leave without parental on private property unless that person is young person’s perspective – something she permission. If you’re out drinking and walking the minor’s parent or guardian or is a says is almost always missing from the debate. the streets, it’s easy to get into trouble, responsible adult who has the approval Brooke confirms that a lot of young people especially if you lose your friends. of the minor’s parent or guardian.” get their alcohol from friends who are 18 but But it would also go one step further that a lot of 16-year-olds also have fake IDs. “Parents don’t realise there are going to be by requiring both parents and those to She says her parents will sometimes buy her far worse outcomes if kids drink at other places and Police are going to have more on whom they give their approval to ensure alcohol for special occasions, but they always their hands than at a controlled after-ball.” alcohol is supplied in a responsible do it (usually a four-pack of RTDs) so they manner. Its proposed test for ‘responsible know how much she is drinking. When it comes to one day introducing her supply’ would include adequacy of adult own kids to alcohol, Brooke says she will supervision, quantity supplied, duration She reckons she has pretty responsible let them drink under her supervision on of supply, presence of intoxication and attitudes towards alcohol. family occasions. availability of food. “They have come from my parents. They “I plan to teach them about the effects of Such regulations would make it an know young people are going to drink, but alcohol and the dangers around getting offence for parents (or other authorised they have chosen to trust me, and I don’t drunk. I think the best way parents can give adults) to supply under-age high school want to lose that trust. I know if I come their kids good attitudes towards alcohol is students with alcohol at parties, including home wasted they will not buy me more. by setting them a good example, not drinking after-balls where there is not adequate Alcohol’s not something I want to abuse a lot themselves. I think they should set supervision of its consumption. Anyone anyway. I’ve seen guys getting carried away really clear but strict rules for them and then who supplied alcohol to under-age high in ambulances and having their stomachs trust them to keep to the rules but not give school students would commit an pumped, and it’s really gross.” offence unless they had the clear authority them very many chances if they stuff up.” Brooke has had one bad experience with of each student’s parent or guardian. Brooke thinks it’s really important that adults alcohol that freaked her out. Changes the Law Commission is understand kids’ point of view. proposing to licensing laws would clarify “I couldn’t remember what had happened to “We understand theirs. We do get it that the illegality of after-ball parties. Attendees me, and that was really scary. Sometimes it alcohol can be dangerous, but adults have to having to produce a ticket or voucher to takes a bad experience to know where your understand that kids can also enjoy alcohol, gain entry would mean these were limit is.” public events requiring a special licence. and why shouldn’t we be allowed to if we Its proposals also address the She says most of her friends’ parents are also can do it responsibly? concerns the Law Commission says it www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 07 Of most concern is that the brain is likely to be more sensitive to damage from alcohol in childhood and adolescence as it is still developing. Sarah Jaggard

heard from parents who were angry that an adult not supply alcohol to a to alcohol. Clearly, New Zealand’s Law about their inability to prevent other minor at a private place unless the adult Commission would agree. people supplying their child with is the “responsible adult for the minor”. However, parents wanting a set of alcohol without their permission and As Jaggard points out, however, the law laws such as these to help protect their often with little or no adult supervision. doesn’t address whether approval can be sole right to introduce their children to Parents may also find that stricter transferred to someone else by the alcohol may face another dilemma – and clearer laws around supplying responsible party. It would be reasonable whether they should be doing so at all. alcohol to minors would alleviate a lot of to assume that any an adult who has The Australian Drug Foundation the pressure they feel from their children formal charge over a young person on recommends that not only should to supply them – or their friends – with a specific occasion is actingin loco parents and their equivalents be required alcohol. parentis. So when your child ‘stays over’ to introduce alcohol responsibly, they There are three states in Australia at the home of a friend, he or she is should also be required to do so in that have introduced social supply laws subject to supervision by the parent accordance with the guidelines of akin to what the Law Commission is (or equivalent) of the friend and may be Australia’s National Health and Medical recommending here: New South Wales, given alcohol by that person. Research Council. These guidelines say Queensland and Tasmania. Examining Queensland does have a second that, due to alcohol’s harmful effects the differences in each state’s laws helps offence of irresponsible supply, which upon the young, the best option for illustrate how important it will be for occurs when an adult, including a parent people under 18 is not to drink at all. New Zealand to get its legal wording or guardian, does not ensure minors Jaggard says the idea that parents can right. consume alcohol safely and in prevent alcohol misuse and related Section 117 of the New South Wales reasonable quantities. problems in their children by teaching Liquor Act states a person cannot sell or Tasmania’s laws are similar but have them to drink responsibly at home – the supply liquor to anyone under 18 years the added requirement that a person so-called European model – is popular of age unless they are that person’s supplying alcohol to a minor must also but not well supported in reality. parent, guardian or spouse. There is, have the permission of the responsible “Recent evidence is pretty clear that however, no requirement for that parent, adult. drinking with your children in guardian or spouse to supply the alcohol The host of a private party would adolescence actually increases the in a responsible manner and no clear therefore have to gain prior approval likelihood that they will also drink definition of what constitutes a guardian. from the responsible adult of each young outside the home.” The regulation has been in force since person who attends the event before they She cites a recent Dutch study of 428 1982, but Sarah Jaggard, the Australian could be supplied with alcohol. The families that found that teenagers who Drug Foundation’s Community approval may be in verbal, written or drank with their parents were at greater Mobilisation Policy Officer, says not electronic in form, but the onus is on the risk of developing alcohol-related many people know about it, and no host to ensure the approval is legitimate. problems including trouble with school studies have been done into its Jaggard says that, while these laws work, missed school days and getting effectiveness in preventing harm. are too new for there to have been any into fights with others. In Queensland and Tasmania, the significant studies into their A recent Australian study, which introduction of social supply legislation effectiveness, the Tasmanian version is tracked young people and their drinking has been more recent, with both states the best legislative model of the three, patterns from 14–21 years, showed bringing in new regulations in 2009. providing the greatest clarity in terms of drinking is linked to higher risks of The Queensland Liquor Act requires how and by whom kids are introduced alcohol-related problems in young

08 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Rhett Emery

even amongst adults. But for many, this will only be one more cause for worry. Parents like Anna “At one Kapiti College ball a couple years Kenna will tell you that encouraging back, a take-home memento given to the your children not to drink is an uphill kids was a shot glass with the school logo on battle when alcohol is associated with it. What sort of message does that send?” sophistication and joy everywhere young Rhett says his daughter drinks but doesn’t people look. For 20 years, New Zealand have a problem with alcohol and neither do has enjoyed some of the most liberal Rhett, a Manager at the Royal New Zealand the kids of his friends because they have liquor laws in the world, and the College of General Practitioners, is a former been taught to drink sensibly in the home. moderation horse has long since bolted. secondary school teacher who lives in And if we have a significant number Raumati Beach. His 17-year-old daughter “It’s about having open conversations with of parents who aren’t concerned about is in year 13 at Kapiti College. them from an early age. Good parenting their kids’ drinking, or don’t yet starts when kids are very young. You can’t understand that they should be – and Rhett doesn’t really think kids are drinking expect to suddenly be able to teach your kids it appears we do – then strengthening any younger now than they used to, but he good things if you haven’t done so all along.” social supply laws will do little on does think the situation has changed. Rhett would far rather see kids go to a its own. “What kids are drinking today is a lot supervised after-ball party than be left to But as Cate Brett says, while the law different to what we were drinking at their their own devices. can’t stop people drinking harmfully age. Beer was 4 percent alcohol, and you got by itself, it can help wake society up bloated if you drank too much. Now, a lot of “You can’t take alcohol away from kids now; to the risks associated with alcohol, what the kids are drinking is spirit-based and it’s too late for that, so the best you can do particularly for adolescents. around 8 percent. It’s twice the strength and is impart strategies to them to drink sensibly, The Law Commission has warned much easier to drink. to say no when someone encourages them each of its recommendations must be to be stupid with alcohol.” taken seriously for they will only be “When we were young, parties finished at truly effective if implemented as a midnight and you went home to bed. Now He says changes to social supply laws would whole. kids just seem go out after parties and drink give parents a little more support. Parents Its four recommendations around into the early hours. Why do bars need to be could argue that they can’t supply alcohol at social supply may help curb some of the open at 3 or 4am?” parties because it’s against the law. harms around youth drinking. Its hope is He thinks there’s also been a real shift in “But at the end of the day, you don’t need that the remaining 148 will help the rest attitudes to kids drinking and drunkenness, legislation to be a good parent.” of society take a long hard look at itself as well – and perhaps make a start on getting the genie back into the bottle. adulthood, even when at low-risk levels. For Jaggard, there is an upside to Rob Zorn is a Wellington-based writer. “Of most concern,” she says, “is that these findings. the brain is likely to be more sensitive to “This body of research now supports damage from alcohol in childhood and parents and other adults who don’t want adolescence as it is still developing – to encourage under-age drinking and leading to learning difficulties, memory gives them concrete reasons to deny problems and reduced attention spans.” their children alcohol.” www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 09 Opinion

Youth are part of the solution

The Law Commission’s report Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm makes 153 recommendations spanning a broad range of areas. However, none has featured in the news more prominently than the recommendation to raise the drinking age. Sarah Helm explains why discussion and debate about youth drinking is a good thing.

At ALAC’s Working Together Conference dominates discussion about law change in May, Sir Geoffrey Palmer said the law is that, as adults, it gives us an out – i.e. couldn’t fix everything, but it could help it’s all a youth problem. Yet whenever nudge New Zealand towards a more something impacts on children and moderate drinking culture. The rest is young people, adults should probably up to us. take a look in the mirror first. Young Sarah We shouldn’t be surprised that the people and children live in the Helm age at which young people can purchase alcohol is one aspect of our drinking culture that has dominated media Was this the dream we had discussion. Firstly, some high-profile tragedies when we passed our current involving young people and alcohol have alcohol laws? shaken the nation and forced us all – adults and youth – to take stock. After the tragic King’s College incident, we were environment we have collectively left collectively reeling. Many of us who developed for them and over which they work in the sector have been inundated have very little say. Was this the dream with calls from concerned parents and we had when we passed our current teachers wanting to prevent something alcohol laws? If we believe that alcohol similar happening to their teenagers. is doing so much damage to ourselves Another reason why the drinking age and the lives of our children, then as a

10 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz nation, as communities or as families, we need right now. It was young people’s we are responsible for making change. This generation, like none candid statements to the Law Commission There is some truth behind the that helped convince Sir Geoffrey that it common assumption that the drinking before it, has experienced the most deregulated alcohol was time to change the law. problem is a youth problem. Young From 22–30 May, there were over people suffer disproportionately high environment and exposure to 200 events held nationally for Youth levels of harm from alcohol, particularly high levels of advertising. Week. More than 50 events and activities in the group aged 18–24 years. This addressed alcohol harm. Young people harm is significant and causes scars that led or helped lead most of these projects last for young people: violence, sexual equation in transforming our society. (see a profile of these projects in our violence, suicides, road crashes, injuries, At ALAC, we believe young people are feature ‘Youth leadership on alcohol’, and the list goes on. This generation, like positive agents of change who can none before it, has experienced the most help reduce the harms of alcohol for page 19). This leadership has helped deregulated alcohol environment and themselves and their communities. grow ALAC’s faith that the youth of exposure to high levels of advertising Young people want and need a healthy today can help us become a healthier and alcohol access. If the far-reaching family and neighbourhood to grow up nation. proposals suggested by the Law in. Their whole lives depend on it so Commission were adopted, there would they have an investment in helping to Sarah Helm is ALAC’s Youth Action Plan be a safer environment that supports a be a part of the solution. National Manager. more moderate drinking culture – not Young people are also great at asking To comment on this and other opinion pieces, just for young people, but for all of us. questions and are less afraid of doing log in to www.drugfoundation.org.nz. Youth are also a vital part of the things differently, which is exactly what www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 11 Campus crackdown

It once marketed itself as the party university, but now the University of Otago’s academic reputation is under threat internationally because of the binge- drinking and bacchanalian revelry of its students. The university is trying to reverse its drinking culture, but how much can it achieve when, across society, drinking to excess has become the norm for the young?

Alcohol abuse by students has been make togas from bed sheets and parade main streets, with smashed windows an ongoing problem for the University through the main streets of Dunedin, and walls covered in blood, vomit of Otago. In the past few years, the are guaranteed to make headlines for and faeces. media has had a field day reporting all the wrong reasons. However, the University of Otago is instances of drunken riots and out-of- The future of the ‘Undie 500’ is in determined not to let the irresponsible control street parties all involving doubt after the last four ended in riots, actions of some of its students tarnish inebriated students. Activities such as street fires and numerous arrests. There its academic record. While the public the ‘Undie 500’, where students drive have also been calls from Dunedin and the media are only just starting to a convoy of decorated vehicles from residents for the toga parade to be see changes, alcohol abuse has been at Christchurch to Otago, and the annual cancelled after the 2009 event involving the forefront of the university’s agenda toga parade, where first-year students over 2,000 students left chaos in the for the last decade, culminating in a Otago Daily Times Daily Otago

12 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance number of policies that Vice-Chancellor appointment of Campus Watch, a 24/7 It’s not going to bite you. Professor David Skegg says will help service where trained people monitor Mohi Waihi, a 64-year-old former address the “grim and chronic national all student activities, both on and off smoker, brought his old heart to the problem” of binge-drinking. campus, offering advice and counselling, Maori Affairs Select Committee hearing In October last year, the University but also reporting any breaches of the as part of an inquiry into the tobacco Council agreed to ban alcohol advertising code to the university. industry. He had a heart transplant and sponsorship on all campuses and at The university has also been in 2005 after suffering five heart attacks all events after orientation celebrations researching the problems of alcohol turned disorderly. Director of Student abuse and binge-drinking and pin-points brought on by heart disease. Services David Richardson said the the source of the problem as the Sale of advertising ban was a “high-level Liquor Act 1989. In an attempt to make Personally, I thought [the statement” intended to visibly articulate New Zealand a more desirable location Law Commission’s suggestions] the university’s position against binge- for overseas tourists, the Act and were all soundly based drinking and alcohol abuse. subsequent amendments completely recommendations, but you sort Another way the university tries opened up the rules and regulations of wonder, ‘What’s the point?’ to battle binge-drinking is by offering surrounding the sale and purchase of Is anyone actually going to students the assistance of trained nurses, alcohol. This has meant licences are take any notice? counsellors and psychologists who more easily given to sell cheaper alcohol provide advice on all aspects of student to younger customers. Chief Coroner Neil MacLean comments life. In the past few years, an emphasis At the time, Richardson was a high on the latest statistics from the Coroner’s school principal and well aware of the Office showing that alcohol deaths have implications these changes would have skyrocketed in the last decade – including 12 youths who had drunk themselves to Because alcohol is on the way young New Zealanders drink. “What we are seeing now is the result death since July 2007. advertised so cheaply and of a drinking social culture that begins in often specifically targeted at the mid-teens. Because alcohol is students, many are coming advertised so cheaply and often President Obama’s newly to the university already specifically targeted at students, many released drug war budget is are coming to the university already essentially the same as Bush’s, acclimatised to believe binge- with roughly twice as much drinking is a social norm. acclimatised to believe binge-drinking is a social norm.” money going to the criminal David Richardson The media and some members of justice system as to treatment the New Zealand public may point their and prevention – this despite fingers at the University of Otago Obama’s statements on the demanding that either students start campaign trail that drug use has been placed on alcohol-related behaving or that the university deals should be treated as a health issues to better equip these health with them swiftly, but Professor Skegg issue, not a criminal justice professionals to combat alcohol abuse. urges critics to see the bigger picture. issue. A recent change that came under A recent study of student drinking Bill Piper, Director of non-profit scrutiny from OUSA (the Otago habits conducted at five universities organisation Drug Policy Alliance, University Student Association) was the throughout the country found a distinct compares President Obama’s talk with 2007 implementation of the Student trend towards heavy drinking. Eighty- his walk. Code of Conduct. All students are one percent of students reported having expected to comply with these rules and consumed alcohol in the preceding four regulations, and the university uses weeks, while 37 percent said they’d had Legislation doesn’t usually them to monitor and punish ‘anti-social’ one or more binge-drinking sessions in happen until someone dies, behaviour both on and off campus. the preceding week. which is what happened with While the legality of the university’s “These facts about the wider fantasy. jurisdiction is still being debated, the environment need to be acknowledged by Jennifer Sibley, Senior Forensic Scientist results point in favour of the code. David critics who demand that the University of at the Institute of Environmental Science Richardson says that, while it’s still too Otago should instantly solve its student and Research, says sellers of synthetic early for tangible results, “fewer riots behaviour problems, which cannot be cannabis should have to prove it is safe and street fires point in the right solved until the culture of binge-drinking before they can sell it. direction”. among New Zealand youth is radically With the Code of Conduct came the altered,” Professor Skegg says. continued on page 21

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 13 Experience. Insight. Hope.

The Drug Foundation has launched two websites featuring the personal stories of people in recovery from drug addiction. Each person’s circumstances may differ, but they have in common the desire for change in their own lives.

Early in 2010, 20 New Zealanders their own or another’s drug use are Funding for the project extends were interviewed about their past use shown change is possible and how beyond the creation of the websites. and abuse of drugs and what it took for to begin. Over the next two years, the Drug them to be able to move on. Everyone The websites came into being after Foundation will work with others in the agreed to share their insights in the research released in 2009 by the AOD sector to coordinate production of hope they could help others struggling Ministry of Health highlighted gaps in drug information resources and promote with addiction. information available to support the these to the public. Already being The new DrugHelp and MethHelp National Drug Policy’s drug demand discussed is an online ordering facility websites include extensive use of video, reduction focus. Particularly lacking for hard copy resources. quotes and first-person narrative, were reliable and accurate information Creating the websites, a natural step alongside practical advice and tools about drugs and drug harms along with for the Drug Foundation, is being for change. tools to address drug use concerns. This supported by an advisory group whose By sharing insights gained through led the Ministry to contract a consortium membership includes representatives the raw, unglamorous experiences of led by the NZ Drug Foundation to from CAYADs, ALAC, CADS Auckland, real people, visitors concerned about produce new information resources. Alcohol Drug Helpline, the National

14 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Committee for Addiction Treatment, After six intensive months of your website. Order promotional Matua Raki and the Ministry of Health. development, the Drug Foundation is materials from: [email protected]. Ensuring information and help keen to hear from visitors about the ■■ Tell us what you think – use the resources are of high quality is a key website. Feedback from real people websites’ online feedback forms or part of their role. wanting to change their lives will be contact the New Zealand Drug So as to not rely solely on people used to enhance what is already offered. Foundation office. logging on, a workbook and DVD to complement the MethHelp website have Promote DrugHelp/MethHelp been produced. It shows people where You can help the Drug Foundation to get help and provides simple with these new websites: strategies for change. This resource was ■■ Talk to people about what you see funded through the government’s and think. Action Plan on Methamphetamine and ■■ Spread the word – email people is available from the Alcohol Drug you know, pass on a flyer or wallet Helpline or from the Drug Foundation. card, put up a poster, add a link to

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 15 Guest Editorial

Worse than cure Project Prevention, an American sterilisation programme that pays problematic drug users either to be sterilised or to accept long-term contraception, is coming to the United Kingdom. Niamh Eastwood argues that, far from alleviating suffering and protecting women and children, the controversial programme is a fundamental attack on the rights of the most vulnerable.

Project Prevention was established mandatory for women who had children in 1998 by Barbara Harris, an American that were substance-exposed in the with four adopted children she calls her womb. Since the State would not take “crack babies”. Harris describes her work action, she decided to do so herself and as “humanitarian”, but it is unclear what set up Project Prevention. is all that humanitarian about targeting Initially called Children Requiring Niamh some of the most defenceless, desperate a Caring Kommunity, or CRACK, the Eastwood and disenfranchised people in society. programme pays problematic drug Project Prevention was not Harris’s users either $200 to agree to long-term first attempt to control the reproductive contraception or $300 to be sterilised. rights of women. In the past, she has Harris’s aim is to stop drug users having lobbied the California State legislature to children, and it is clear that, as a group, criminalise women who use illicit drugs she has deemed them unfit parents. while pregnant. By encouraging sterilisation, Project Thankfully, a draft Bill to this effect Prevention is taking away reproductive never became law. If it had, women with rights for women at a point when they drug problems who became pregnant are not able to make a clear decision would have become a hidden population about such an important issue. Harris’s afraid to access prenatal services or drug retort is that, if they are not able to make treatment centres. Harris continuously an informed decision about their health, talks about “the rights of the children”, they are not able to look after a child. but such an approach would have However, it is not that simple. As a clearly put both mother and child at risk. society, we must protect the Harris says she wanted legislation to fundamental human rights of every make long-term contraception person, including their sexual and

16 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz reproductive rights. programme actively and aggressively Project Prevention also targets tries to attract women to its service. This specific groups within society. Firstly, was borne out in the UK in June when women make up the vast majority of Harris and others actively lobbied women ‘clients’ – since its inception, 3,432 outside a surgery in Glasgow. That the people have been paid, and 3,381 of project targets poor people is also these have been women. More than demonstrated by the fact it advertises at a third have been sterilised. bus stops, welfare agencies, soup kitchens, Secondly, and most obviously, the areas of high prostitution, methadone programme targets poor women – very clinics and probation offices. few of us would agree to limit or Harris’s view on women who use potentially end our ability to have drugs is deeply offensive. She makes children for a few hundred bucks. statements such as: “I’m not saying these Thirdly, Project Prevention appears women are dogs, but they’re not acting to target African Americans and other any more responsible than a dog in heat” ethnic minority groups. Harris denies and “We don’t allow dogs to breed. this, saying she herself is married to a We spay them. We neuter them. We try black man and has adopted four black to keep them from having unwanted children, but this does not detract from puppies, and yet these women are the fact that more than half those paid literally having litters of children.” Her by Project Prevention are either African colleagues have described the children American, Hispanic or from another of drug ‘addicts’ as “pre-doomed” – ethnic background. This is despite the failing to consider the stigma and damage fact that non-whites make up 25 percent caused by such labelling. of the US population and that drug use In April 2010, Harris announced amongst all groups is comparable. Project Prevention was coming to the Lynn Paltrow, Executive Director of UK. Release was shocked and appalled. the National Advocates for Pregnant We vehemently oppose the idea that Martin Hunter/Guardian 2010 News & Media Ltd Women, has advocated against Project vulnerable and desperate people – Prevention in the US. She has thoroughly people with serious health problems We don’t allow dogs researched the organisation and writes – could be coerced into making long- to breed. We spay them. specifically about how Harris targets term decisions about their reproductive We neuter them. We try those who access the project. Paltrow choices. It is reprehensible that someone’s fertility is thought to be for sale because to keep them from having they are deemed an unfit parent. unwanted puppies, and Release has been at the forefront of yet these women are By encouraging challenging Project Prevention and is literally having litters sterilisation, Project Prevention working with other organisations and of children. is taking away reproductive medical authorities to stop Project Barbara Prevention in the UK. We have been rights for women at a point Harris when they are not able to make active in the media and have brought a clear decision about such an the issue to the attention of the British Medical Association (BMA). important issue. When Harris has been interviewed by the British media, her responses have been bluntly simple. When asked about says Project Prevention in California the fact that the money would be used has placed large billboards in Black for drugs or would only benefit drug and Latino communities in Los Angeles. dealers, she answers that she does not Flyers are handed out containing care. When questioned about the statements such as, “Don’t let a baby funding she receives in the US (which ruin you drug habit”. comes from sources considered to be This counters Harris’s contention right wing), she says she does not care that Project Prevention does not seek out where the money comes from. When ‘clients’. In reality, it is clear that the challenged about the ethical nature of

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 17 the programme, she answers in a number it smacks of eugenics. If we allow drug of different ways ranging from, “What users to be subjected to such about the rights of the children?” to interventions, who is next – people with attacking the right of anyone to oppose mental health problems, those who are her views unless they have adopted a obese, maybe those who simply cannot child addicted to crack. afford children? Many involved in this When I was interviewed with her on debate, both for and against, have said Al Jazeera, she responded to my point calling Project Prevention a form of about the fundamental right to have control eugenics may be over stating, but over your own sexual and reproductive Harris’s recent interview in The choices by saying, “Well, she goes on Guardian may lead to some reconsider. about the rights of the mother, but what Her next project, she says, will be about the rights of the child?”. She also in Haiti. “We’re going to offer Depo claims the women who had accessed [contraceptive] injections every three Project Prevention in the US had already months to women in exchange for food been pregnant several times before. cards. The women in Haiti are having All of the examples she provided were children they can’t even feed, so why are women who had “22, 23 or even 24” they getting pregnant? Just think about pregnancies prior to being sterilised, but how much suffering that’s going to prevent.” statistics from the US show that women ...Then she begins talking about Project Prevention has who have drug problems only become women in Africa who have AIDS. “My placed large billboards in pregnant at a rate slightly higher than thinking is, why are they having these Black and Latino communities. the national average. Harris uses simple, babies? I’m sorry – tell me that you don’t Flyers are handed out anecdotal and provocative stories to agree! If you know you have AIDS, why containing statements such justify what she is doing because this are you getting pregnant and having babies is the only way she can get support. that you know are going to have AIDS? as, ‘Don’t let a baby ruin you The problem with Project Prevention Babies are suffering. It’s preventable.” drug habit’. and Barbara Harris’s viewpoint is that In September 2010, the BMA Ethics it fails to consider a number of Committee is meeting to consider the important factors. activities of Project Prevention, as GPs Firstly, she asks, “What about the would be required to be part of the rights of the child?” but her approach process. Harris has already announced results in no children. They are they will not be offering sterilisation in essentially hypothetical children, and the UK because of its medical system for those who are born into families here but that it is her intention to offer where there is drug addiction, their long-term contraception. value and potential are undermined. Release will be submitting its view Secondly, she completely fails to to the BMA Ethics Committee that this understand that by ‘incentivising’ is still unethical – no decision around vulnerable people into making choices healthcare should involve coercion about their reproductive rights, we are through bribery. We are not allowed to effectively coercing them into making sell our organs or even receive payments a decision that may not be in their for donor sperm. It is also without doubt best interests. that, as a society, we should not allow Thirdly, for many women using vulnerable and disenfranchised people drugs, their children or becoming to be paid to make decisions about their pregnant are the catalyst for change. reproductive choices. Fourthly, it fails to consider the public health messaging around safe sex and Niamh Eastwood is Head of Legal Services and that there are better alternatives – more Deputy Director of Release, UK’s national money for drug treatment and family- centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. focused interventions, better housing www.release.org.uk and education, recognition that this is To comment on this and other guest editorials, a complex social and economic issue. log in to www.drugfoundation.org.nz. Finally and probably most importantly,

18 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Youth leadership on alcohol

In recent months, alcohol But what hasn’t made the news is the “Young people here don’t really get significant number of young people much formal stuff like this, so the idea and young people have around the country who have become was to bring the party to the rural kids. featured prominently in active in their communities, working We had a swanky four-course meal with the news. There have towards change and greater awareness a band and a DJ. But it was more than about excessive drinking. just an evening of fine dining. There was been a number of liquor- During Youth Week (22–30 May), some fine information, too. related deaths and injuries, more than 50 activities took place “We had a performance from ‘2.0’, controversies over after- around New Zealand addressing alcohol one of New Zealand’s best and youngest harm. Young people of all ages hip-hop groups, who then spoke to us ball parties and much participated in these activities, with about their personal experience as young debate about drinking many taking on leadership roles. performers when it came to drugs and They were sponsored by ALAC and alcohol. It was good for the kids to hear and purchasing ages. coordinated by New Zealand Aotearoa from role models who were not much Adolescent Health and Development older than themselves. (NZAAHD). “After the dinner, a number of guests Here are profiles of just a few. spoke to the kids about their personal experience growing up in New Zealand Tairawhiti youth masquerade ball and about alcohol. We had Monty Youth worker Jimi Hills organised an Soutar, who served in New Zealand’s official masquerade school ball in 28th Mäori Battalion during World War Ruatoria for students from all over the II, and Rua Tipoki, who used to play Central East Coast. He spent more than rugby for the Canterbury Crusaders and 12 months putting it together, but the New Zealand Mäori. reckons it was a great success. “We had more than 200 kids come, www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 19 You always read negative All of the young people stuff in the papers about our had been affected by alcohol- teenagers, so it was really nice related harm, and some have to finally hear some positive family who struggle with things being said. alcohol, so it’s something Rina that has had a significant Hudson impact on their lives. Lizzie Macrae

and they all stayed the night, so the next “The motivation behind the expo was “Every night over Youth Week, we day we put on a breakfast for everyone. the losses caused by alcohol, including got a professional photographer to come We ran a few workshops on health and loss of lives through alcohol-related and teach the youth the basics of youth attitudes and heard from other diseases and car accidents, but also the photography and about lighting and speakers about methamphetamine, repercussions on our community and angles. We only had about six kids, addiction and gang culture. whänau of alcohol-related crime and but they were all really keen to learn. “It was all about giving these kids violence. “After the lessons, we sent the a chance. They were inspired by some “About 35 young people from the students out into the community and pretty important and influential people. community organised the whole event. told them to use their new skills to Some of them were a bit surprised They were handing out flyers weeks create photos that were related to because they turned up expecting a before and spent ages advertising the alcohol and the harm it does to families dance, but they all had a pretty good expo. They provided the morning and and the community. time.” afternoon tea, coordinated the speakers, “We are just a small community; we acted as MCs and even helped people in Northland youth health expo only have one set of shops and one place the car park! Rina Hudson is a Whangarei careers that sells liquor, but, unfortunately, “You always read negative stuff in consultant with a passion for guiding there are lots of people in our the papers about our teenagers, so it was young people to success within their community that use alcohol for self- really nice to finally hear some positive communities. During Youth Week, she medication. things being said. facilitated a mini expo where public “All of the young people had been “They all really enjoyed organising health and social services professionals affected by alcohol-related harm, and and coordinating everything, so they’re spoke to youth and members of the some have family who struggle with planning to continue by holding some community about education, health and alcohol, so it’s something that has had after-school health workshops. But I social support services available in a significant impact on their lives and think their next plan is to have a disco. Whangarei. something that we really wanted to Watch this space!” “The purpose of the expo was to get address. older and younger people communicating Tauranga photography workshop “They took some great photos. They on these important issues. It was an Lizzie Macrae, a Community Youth all symbolised the problems people and opportunity for the young people to Worker at the Merivale Community communities face when alcohol is hear about the harm alcohol can do Centre in Tauranga, organised a abused. There were photos of money to individuals, to families and to our photography workshop for young people falling from a bottle down a drain, a entire community. in the area. family seated around a table with

20 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance

Looking back now, it’s It’s not just a family issue It was all about giving something silly that happened anymore; it’s to do with our these kids a chance. They that night. I’m glad it’s dealt whole community. were inspired by some pretty with. Rhonda important and influential Outside court, Sione Laukai expressed Hoffman people. remorse for his “silly” assault on a man he thought had stolen his beer. Jimi Hills Afghan drug traffic is like a tsunami constantly breaking over Russia – we are sinking in it. Victor Ivanov, Director of Russia’s Federal Service for the Control of Narcotics, accuses NATO of turning a blind eye to Afghanistan’s opium production over worries about driving poppy farmers into the arms of the Taliban.

Current policy is not having an effect of reducing drug use… but it’s costing the public nothing but bottles on their plates and would feel if someone they didn’t know a fortune. a glass bottle gradually smashing as it was pouring and mixing their drinks. Harvard University Economist Jeffrey got emptier. The discussions really showed how Miron says the only sure thing taxpayers “The photos are all exhibited at our different attitudes can be between get for more spending on Police and community centre so the community can younger and older people. soldiers is more homicides. see and experience the great work of our “We then started four main areas of young people.” discussion led by Adventure For every drug dealer you Coming together in Invercargill Development. The first was advice for put in jail or kill, there’s a the adults given by the youth, who asked Rhonda Hoffman, a Child Advocate line-up to replace him because that their parents communicate better for children affected by family violence, the money is just so good. wanted to organise an event that would instead of hassling them when it came to Walter McCay, the head of the allow both young and old to share their alcohol. They felt this would promote non-profit Centre for Professional Police thoughts and experiences regarding honesty. Certification in Mexico City, provides an alcohol. “Then the adults gave advice to the eye witness perspective of the situation “We ran a discussion group at our youth. They also asked for better unfolding in Mexico. local marae. The event was called communication and honesty but also for Whänau Ora – Coming Together – the youth to take responsibility for their Connecting Youth and Family. The idea actions and to question themselves as to This ‘party central’ thing was to get young people talking about the motivation behind their drinking. is a load of rubbish. It’s being their opinions and experiences with “We moved on to discussing the promoted as an almighty alcohol, and about 25 people from the self-harm that drinking does and also the piss-up, and that is not our community came, as well as people from harm to others. Nearly everyone present intention. Barnados, Family Violence focus groups, had a friend or family member who had the Southern District Health Board, Rugby New Zealand 2011 CEO Martin Adventure Development and the YMCA. been injured or killed in an alcohol- Snedden expresses his frustration with “We started by presenting scenarios related incident. the Queen’s Wharf debacle and says ‘fan to do with alcohol, and people ranked “Lastly, we talked about our zones’ around the country will have only them either low, medium or high, responsibility as a community to take limited space for alcohol. depending on the amount of risk they action against alcohol misuse. It’s not felt in each situation. For example, in just a family issue anymore; it’s to do one scenario, we asked how people with our whole community.” continued on page 25 www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 21 When drugs and music overlap

Bob Dylan, Kiri Te Kanawa or Kanye West? Can a person’s taste in music accurately predict their drugs of choice? Can certain musical genres cause drug use among youth? Wiremu Buurman looks at the evidence for any causal links between what people listen to and what they take.

Electronic music fans just love ecstasy found that opera lovers were as likely as listeners of other types of music.” while reggae fans are all potheads. Rock other music lovers to try hallucinogenic Rap music was also consistently fans are big binge-drinkers, but hip-hop drugs, and that one out of every four associated with alcohol use, potential fans do all drugs. People who listen to classical listeners had tried marijuana. alcohol use disorder, illicit drug use and classical music occasionally have a wine Another study, conducted by aggressive behaviour. with dinner. Meng-Jinn Chen, a Research Scientist But is rap’s bad rap fair? After all, According to Adrian North, a Senior at the Prevention Research Center in blaming entire genres of music for Lecturer in Psychology at the University Berkeley, California, supports the society’s woes is nothing new. When of Leicester, these may not just be stereotype about hip-hop fans and their rock and roll first arrived on the scene, stereotypes. Certain correlations can be drug use. His survey of more than 1,000 it was accused of destroying morals and drawn between musical tastes and drug college students found, “Young people inciting criminal behaviour. Since that preferences – but the results are not as who listen to rap and hip-hop music are time, it has been accused of just about obvious as you might expect. For more likely to have problems with everything else. instance, his survey of 2,500 participants alcohol, drugs and violence than While Chen admits his findings

22 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz don’t prove that listening to rap music So what caused the increased focus on themed 1988 release Straight Outta has caused increased drug use among drugs in rap music during this time period? Compton – without requiring radio American youth, he says his study It would be hard to account for this airplay – it became evident to both shows young people may be influenced trend without considering the impact of record companies and aspiring artists by frequent exposure to lyrics that make the crack epidemic – the tidal wave of that sex, drugs and violence sell just positive references to substance use crack cocaine from Latin America that as well in music as they do in movies. and violence. swept through the poorer neighbourhoods Chen argues that, just as alcohol Chen’s findings are given further of the largest US cities throughout product placement in movies is big context by research conducted at the 1980s. business, so too is it becoming big Berkeley by Denise Herd, who assessed The environment in which many business in the music industry and says the lyrics of 341 of rap music’s most rap artists were living was impacted people should be concerned about rap popular hits between 1979 and 1997 dramatically, and this was reflected and hip-hop being used to market

Is rap’s bad rap fair? After all, blaming entire genres of music for society’s woes is nothing new.

and found that references to drugs had in their lyrics: alcoholic beverages. increased six-fold over that period. “If I wasn’t in the rap game, Busta Rhymes’s hit song Pass the Herd’s report also found that, “Of the I’d probably have a key knee deep Courvoisier is a good example. According 38 most popular songs between 1979 in the crack game to MTV Reporter Gil Kaufman, it helped and 1984, only four contained drug Because the streets is a short stop, Courvoisier’s parent company Allied references. But by the late 1980s, the Either you’re slingin’ crack rock or Domecq attain a double digit surge in US incidence had increased to 19 percent, you got a wicked jump shot.” sales. Domecq later did a promotion deal and after 1993, nearly 70 percent of rap Notorious B.I.G. – Things Done with Busta’s supervising company Violator. songs mentioned drug use.” Changed (1994) Herd also noted that lyrics describing Another important ingredient leading Wiremu Buurman is the Drug Foundation’s drug use had not only become more to drug themes becoming such a hip-hop Communications Adviser. recurrent, but “…the context changed mainstay has probably been money. For references used in this article, visit from concern about the devastation of When NWA went double platinum with www.drugfoundation.org.nz. drugs to a more positive portrayal”. their violent, misogynistic and drug- www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 23 New Zealand News

Breath-testing for school “The trend we have News should be classified as Executive Director Ross Bell rugby fans noticed, particularly with R18, reasoning that: “Norml said the products were being young people, is that they are News is produced for mature sold with “no controls dying at astonishingly young readers with a specific interest whatsoever” and the law ages by basically drinking in cannabis culture and needed to be fixed to ensure themselves to death,” said cannabis law reform issues… retailers can prove their safety Chief Coroner Neil MacLean. It has social and political merit before sale. Otago University Professor as a forum for these views… Synthetic cannabis Dr Doug Sellman said the These three issues cannot fairly products have already been NZPA Coroner’s Office statistics tend be said to promote or banned in seven countries – Christ’s College and to focus on deadly alcohol encourage criminal activity to including France, Britain Christchurch Boys’ High poisoning and exclude those an extent that their availability and Germany. School have played an annual deaths that are the result of to New Zealand adults is likely rugby match for more than accidents and diseases caused to be injurious.” Smokefree prisons by 2011 a century, but the much- by excessive drinking. When anticipated event has been these are factored in, the Labour MP Charles spoiled in recent years by alcohol death toll jumps to Chauvel appointed to new alcohol-fuelled violence. about 1,000 deaths per year. HIV commission This year, an estimated 3,000 Other recently released Labour MP Charles Chauvel non-student rugby spectators figures from the Coroner’s has been appointed as a were forced to line up at the Office show that, since July representative to the United gates to be breath-tested for 2007, 83 New Zealanders had Nations Global Commission NZPA alcohol in a bid to curb the drunk themselves to death – on HIV and the Law. Corrections Minister violence that spoiled last including 12 teenagers. The group will focus on Judith Collins has announced year’s match. Eight officers global HIV-linked human a 12-month plan to make all conducted the tests at the Police attempt to rights and legal issues and prisons smokefree by July gate, and a further 17 officers ban pot mags aims to find out how laws and next year. patrolled the grounds. law enforcement can support, According to New Zealand Christchurch Police Area rather than block, effective Herald political commentator Commander Inspector Derek HIV responses. John Armstrong, the impetus Erasmus said this year’s Mr Chauvel said for the new law has less to do outcome (no arrests and only New Zealand has reacted to with prisoners’ health than seven spectators turned away the HIV issue well, but there with the government at the gates) was a great are still significant problems protecting itself from threat improvement on the previous in the third world. of legal action from prison year, in which 250 people An Official Information Act guards exposed to prisoners’ were involved in a brawl request by marijuana law Synthetic cannabis second-hand smoke. following the match. reform group NORML has untested Some prisoners have revealed Police asked the Synthesised cannabis warned that the Corrections Alcohol death toll Department of Internal Affairs products are being sold legally Department would have skyrocketing to ban three marijuana- in New Zealand but have not trouble enforcing such a rule. According to recent themed magazines: Norml been tested for safety pre-sale. One recently released former Coroner’s Office statistics, News, High Times and The range of products, inmate of Rimutaka Prison alcohol death rates have Cannabis Culture. which have similar effects to said most prisoners smoked. skyrocketed over the last 10 Three issues of Norml cannabis, are being sold at “There will be a bit of a years. Experts suggest the News were referred to the outlets such as Cosmic Corner ruckus going on if they take cause is the culture of Censor’s Office following and Auckland’s Hemp Store, the prisoners’ smokes away. binge-drinking ingrained raids on Switched on as well as on the internet. The People won’t want to quit. in New Zealand’s youth. Gardener stores across the products carry names such as I can see a lot of stand-overs. Coroners say alcohol has country. Up until this point, Puff, Thai High, Kronic, The prison guards who still featured in the deaths of 1,100 the Police had denied being Dream, Space and Aroma. smoke, they better watch out New Zealanders during this involved with sending the While many are marketed as because some of the inmates time period. Deaths linked to publication to the censors. incense, the fine print says might react.” alcohol rose from 41 in 2000 The Censor’s Office deemed the product is to be smoked. The New Zealand Medical to 254 in 2008. that only three issues of Norml Drug Foundation Association welcomed the

24 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance decision – “This will have a The shop assistant, ‘The Insider’ blows his Efforts to combat positive effect on the health 25-year-old Reuben Wade, whistle downunder drug trafficking by of prison staff and prisoners,” sold the undercover detective destroying shrines are said Dr Paul Ockelford – but a book on how to grow rather like bulldozing said that a comprehensive cannabis and some fertiliser. tattoo parlours to get smoking cessation programme He was consequently arrested rid of biker gangs. to assist those in prison to and charged with two counts Author D E Campbell says quit smoking, including the of supplying drug-related a Mexican cult with a provision of nicotine

equipment. NZPA following of 2–5 million who replacement therapy, will The same book can be worship Santa Muerte have be essential. Dr Jeffrey Wigand, the purchased from Whitcoulls, tobacco industry whistleblower had three dozen of their along with 179 other portrayed by Russell Crowe in shrines bulldozed by the $28,000 charge for marijuana-related titles. condom removal the movie The Insider, met Mexican Army as a part of with the Maori Affairs Select the “psychological war on A Vietnamese student who High school strip Committee in June to discuss narcoculture”. flew to New Zealand after search in breach? the inner workings of tobacco swallowing a condom corporations. containing heroin has been He was brought to Forty years later, asked by Christchurch New Zealand with the help the concern about Hospital to cough up $28,000 of anti-smoking group ASH drugs and drug to cover the cost of the for the purpose of addressing problems is, if operation needed to remove it. anything, magnified, the select committee’s inquiry But his lawyer says that intensified. We’ve into tobacco. there is no chance of Tri Phan never worked the Dr Wigand said the tobacco or his family paying, as he is Rotorua Boys’ High School drug problem industry had lied in their broke, and his mother is too holistically. We’ll has found itself in the previous submissions to the sick and poor to help pay spotlight after 32 complaints arrest the drug dealer, either. On a reasonable wage committee. He said that their from concerned family but we leave the in Vietnam, it would still take claim that additives were used members alleging their sons addiction. about three years for someone for flavour – not to enhance were forced to strip to their US Drug Czar Gil to earn this amount of money. nicotine levels or absorption underwear and drink Kerlikowske concedes the Phan, 26, was jailed for – was a lie and that their claim significant amounts of water 40-year US$1 trillion war on six months on the charge of that they have no marketing before urinating into a cup. importing 0.3g of heroin into strategies to target particular drugs has failed. New Zealand. Investigators from groups such as Mäori or youth New Zealand Education was also a lie. Consultants have produced The day you Naki sting labelled continue to put the entrapment a report that argues the Putting the P into policing school’s approach to drug price of tobacco up, A New Plymouth lawyer Police hired a drug dealer as testing could infringe the Bill you merely drive is accusing Police of a constable for three years of Rights. people to a cheaper manipulating well meaning until he was found guilty of substance – Dennis Finn, the school’s people into committing crimes two methamphetamine marijuana. Statutory Manager, has and then arresting them. supply charges. refused to apologise and said Talkback host John Paul Keegan has Chee Kent Tan, who he would be meeting with a Tamihere fails to provide highlighted Police transcripts purchased P from a crime a good reason to keep of a conversation between an lawyer to see if the practice syndicate operating out of cigarette prices low. undercover cop and a shop could continue because it Auckland’s SkyCity Casino, assistant at Guru Gardener. happens in the hostel, not was caught when detectives The transcript shows the the school. busted the drug ring in May. detective made up a ‘sob A former student who was In total, the group had story’ about having a subjected to a strip search laundered at least $11 million terminally ill parent that said he was “disgusted” by through the casino. needed to know how to grow his treatment and that it had Six months after being cannabis plants in order to taken place without his hired (in October 2006), he help alleviate her pain. parents’ knowledge or consent. was arrested and charged for www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 25 World News the purchase of approximately of acute alcohol poisoning at Australia’s elite forces arbitrarily – i.e. a ‘large’ or $420,000 worth of P. He was the Rugby Sevens tournament. tested for drugs ‘small’ glass of wine – they suspended on full pay for Robinson said parallels in Afghanistan should be measured in units three years until his conviction could be drawn between the of alcohol, so customers can this year. excessive drinking at the better understand how much Tan was sentenced in the Sevens tournament and what they are consuming. High Court in June to seven was likely to happen during years in prison. the party atmosphere of the Succession of Mexican World Cup. musician murders No change to adult drink RWC Minister Murray drive limit McCully denied the government was giving easier access to liquor The entire Australian elite Cabinet has rejected licences “but simply being Special Forces Task Group in lowering the adult drink realistic about the extraordinary Afghanistan has been tested drive limit, but has instead hospitality requirements” of the for drug use after a soldier introduced new road safety tournament. ended up unconscious in measures targeting young and his room. repeat drink drivers. The commando was found Alcohol Healthwatch Taranaki P dealer hands himself into Police at Australia’s Tarin Kowt base, director Rebecca Williams collapsed from an assumed called the government “gutless”, P dealer Leith Castle asked drug overdose after attending saying there was public support media to join him while he a party. A bottle of pills and for lowering the limit. handed over ten $200 bags of white powder thought to be Professor Doug Sellman, P at the New Plymouth Police an opiate were at his side. Mexican musicians from the National Addiction station, along with a glass The Australian government performing songs that celebrate Centre, said the government pipe used to smoke it and two is concerned a pattern may the lives of drug barons have lacked leadership, and the bags of marijuana. develop with its own troops become the targets of competing Alcohol Advisory Council said “I want it recognised so it similar to one among US drug gangs, with Mexican the decision was disappointing. doesn’t just get taken off me troops – with high levels of media reporting several such Transport Minister Steven and I get thrown out of the drug abuse and suicide. deaths in recent years. Joyce acknowledged advice door,” he said. Figures published in the The latest case is that of that lowering the limit would Detective Sergeant Greg Sunday Telegraph showed Sergio Vega (known as El save lives. Gray was flabbergasted by the that, in the five years leading Shaka), who was murdered “They also tell you that, confession. up to 2009, 653 soldiers, while driving his Cadillac if you didn’t allow anyone to “As strange as it is, we airmen and sailors had to a concert in the northern have any alcohol, you would don’t often have drug dealers returned to Australia testing Mexican state of Sinaloa. save more lives, and if you come in and offer themselves positive for drugs. Ironically, he’d just come actually didn’t let anybody up,” he said. from an interview in which drive, it would save the lot.” Castle told media he Mephedrone overshadows he’d quashed false rumours believed the Police were Britain’s vital alcohol review of his death. following him in the hope ‘Party central’ warning A report from Britain’s “It’s happened to me for that he’d lead them to a big Excessive drinking at the Advisory Council on the Misuse years now. Someone tells a supplier. He was arrested and Rugby World Cup will result of Drugs, which criticises the radio station or a newspaper charged with possession of in deaths from acute alcohol British government’s alcohol I’ve been killed or suffered an methamphetamine for supply. poisoning, warned a specialist policies, was released the same accident… and then I have to on clinical intoxication. day a ban on mephedrone was call my dear mum, who has Dr Geoff Robinson, Capital Ketamine to be illegal distractingly recommended – heart trouble, to reassure her,” and Coast DHB Chief Medical The government has made despite the report having been said Vega. Officer, said the government’s ketamine a class C drug, completed nine months prior. En route to the concert, World Cup Empowering Bill which means it is now in the The report suggests pubs he was shot at and injured by will only serve to create same category as cannabis. and restaurants should use a following gunmen. His vehicle greater access to alcohol. The painkiller will continue ‘standard measure’, so drinks crashed, and he was then His warning followed a to be legal for veterinarians contain equivalent amounts killed at close range by shots coroner’s report showing a and for use in some instances of alcohol. This means that, to the chest and head. 58-year-old Porirua man died of human surgery. instead of measuring drinks At least seven Mexican

26 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz musicians have been killed Ecuador and Colombia) has put into HIV-related harm New Jersey, Indiana, Florida, over the past three years in recently struck multimillion- reduction in low and middle Tennessee and North Dakota. similar circumstances. dollar deals in Ecuador and income countries (90 percent Mr Emery’s wife said, Brazil for the production of of this funding came from “My husband committed a Medicinal marijuana their huge 54-foot wingspan international donors). crime punishable by only a gets green light ‘Heron drone’ model. This spending equated to $200 fine in Canada, yet this The Latin American US$12.80 for each injector conservative government is countries are following the each year or just three US sending him to serve up to lead of the US, which, as early cents per injector per day. 25 years in US jail.” as 2004, was testing the 34-foot “Three cents a day is a wingspan ‘Hermes drone’ to terrifying figure, and equally Cambodia’s drug ‘rehab’ patrol the Mexican border. terrifying are the HIV infection centres investigated US Defence Department rates amongst injecting drug spokesperson Commander users in parts of Eastern Europe Sativex – a marijuana spray Bob Mehal said drones are and Asia… More money is that is applied under the key in supporting US allies needed for harm reduction, tongue to ease multiple around the world in efforts and it is needed now,” said sclerosis patients’ muscle to curb the illegal narcotics co-author Professor Gerry rigidity – is now legal under trade, but would not elaborate Stimson. prescription in Britain and on details. IHRA’s full report is Spain. The Pentagon has also available at www.ihra.net. Its producer, GW established the Comalapa air Pharmaceuticals, has been base in El Salvador as an Texas Police make record growing Sativex’s genetically overseas ‘forward operating weed seizure cloned marijuana plants location’ for counter-drug Corpus Christi Police covertly in England. drone missions, in believed they had completed In 2005, Canada approved collaboration with Latin one of the largest cannabis Cambodian drug users, Sativex as the world’s first American governments. confiscations in the city’s including children, have legal marijuana medicine. been arbitrarily confined in history after a kid called to The product is also being Just three cents a day detention centres where they say he had spotted marijuana tested as a pain relief drug for for HIV prevention have been subjected to plants growing in a local park. patients with advanced cancer. “terrible abuses and sadistic The police removed violence”, according to a 300–400 plants only to later report released by Human Counter-narcotics drones find out their record haul was Rights Watch (HRW). are ‘go’ in Latin America nothing more than a common The report shows that, weed known as horsemint. while these detention centres are meant to treat and ‘Prince of Pot’ extradited ‘rehabilitate’ drug users, Marc Emery, Vancouver’s people are instead being so-called ‘Prince of Pot’, has subjected to beatings with been extradited to the US electrical wire, forced labour, where he is expected to plead electric shocks, harsh military Latin American nations are guilty to selling marijuana drills, rape, forced blood increasingly using unmanned seeds by mail to US customers. donations, painful physical drone aircraft (UAVs) in Mr Emery’s attorney said punishments (such as being counter-narcotics assignments. The International Harm his client would plead guilty chained up while standing in The drones are the latest Reduction Association (IHRA) to one charge of drug the sun) and are fed rotten or addition to Latin America’s has released a report exposing distribution in exchange for insect-ridden food. anti-drug efforts and have a huge funding gap that is a five-year sentence. UNICEF provides direct been utilised across the jungles frustrating efforts to prevent According to the US Drug funding for one of these of South America, in Mexico the spread of HIV/AIDS in Enforcement Administration, centres and has promised to and in parts of the Caribbean. Asia and Eastern Europe. his seeds were traced to illicit look into reported abuses, but Israel Aerospace Industries IHRA estimates that, in marijuana-growing outfits in according to HRW, nothing (which has offices in Chile, 2007, about $160 million was Montana, Virginia, Michigan, much has yet been done. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 27 Earlier this year, UNICEF Central Statistics Agency, a market has become more towards evidence-based released a statement saying quarter of Indonesian children important to Mexican drug approaches that respect, protect that Cambodia’s Ministry of aged 3 to 15 have tried cartels. and fulfil human rights has Social Affairs had found no cigarettes, with 3 percent of the potential to reduce harms evidence of “major violations” those being active smokers. If your mate wants to deriving from current policies at the centre. Indonesia’s Health Minister shoot you in the buttocks and would allow for the HRW conducted in-depth said it was hard to stop kids with an air rifle, respect redirection of the vast financial interviews with 53 former smoking in a country where his reasons resources towards where they detainees, 17 of whom had the tobacco industry has are needed most: implementing spent time at the UNICEF centre. associated itself so deeply and evaluating evidence- with positive things like based prevention, regulatory, Ideas that seem okay educational scholarships and treatment and harm reduction when you’re drunk… sporting events. interventions.” A 36-year-old drunk man A Bill on tobacco control Sign up to the declaration at broke into an Australian has recently been held up due www.viennadeclaration.com. wildlife park in northern West to resistance from the tobacco Australia and sat on top of a industry. Two 34-year-old Australian Tobacco giant exploits 5-metre saltwater crocodile Indonesia is the world’s men needed surgery after child labour shooting each other in the called Fatso. Fatso, it seems, third-largest tobacco consumer. Global tobacco giant Philip buttocks with an air rifle took offence, spun around and Morris International was during a drinking session. chomped down on the man’s Bloodshed in Mexican found to be using child labour Police said the men did it to right knee. rehab clinics on farms that supply its see if it would hurt. The man, who had been Kazakhstan cigarette factory. Apparently, it did. The men turfed out of a Broome tavern A Human Rights Watch thought they were fine, except for being drunk, told Police he report, based on interviews for a bit of pain, but two days climbed into Fatso’s enclosure with 68 farm workers, found later (presumably when the because he wanted to give that child labour is widespread effects of the beers had worn him a pat. on the tobacco farms. The off), both were hospitalised to The wound is serious, and international human rights have pellets removed from the man is currently battling group also expressed serious their buttocks and legs. One infection but is in a stable Mexico’s drug war death concerns over the conditions of the men has been stripped condition at Broome Hospital. toll has risen yet again after of migrant workers. of his firearms licence over Attending Police officer gunmen opened fire on a drug The report said that the incident. Sergeant Roger Haynes said rehabilitation centre in the employing children as young the man, who was not a local, city of Gómez Palacio, killing as 10 on tobacco farms is was extremely lucky to be alive. nine and wounding nine. Vienna Declaration calls particularly hazardous because “We do know he’s from The incident follows a for an end to war on drugs they are very vulnerable to the the eastern states, and he string of violent attacks on In June, leading AIDS tobacco farming process. doesn’t seem to have a very drug rehab clinics, which scientists, doctors and The Marlboro brand good understanding of the began in 2008 in the city of campaigners appealed for cigarette manufacturer has nature of saltwater crocs in Ciudad Juárez where, in one signatures to the Vienna acknowledged the concerns, the Kimberley.” attack, eight patients were Declaration, a document that saying it has taken immediate murdered. calls for fundamental changes action following the “hellish Indonesian baby In the same city in 2009, in global policies towards work” report, which prompted tobacco addict another 27 people were injecting drug users. Their aim it to change its policies. Internet footage of murdered in two separate rehab is to slow the spread of HIV. “A company like Philip a smoking baby boy in clinic attacks, and again in The Declaration states: Morris certainly has the Indonesia has gained early June of this year, carloads “The criminalisation of resources to put an end to significant western media of hooded gunmen killed 19 illicit drug users is fuelling these practices,” Jane Buchanan, attention. The 2-year-old, more in Chihuahua city. the HIV epidemic and has the report’s author and senior Ardi Rizal, is said to smoke Authorities suspect these resulted in overwhelmingly HRW researcher, said in an 40 cigarettes a day. massacres are an attempt to negative health and social interview. Ardi is an extreme case deter other drug addicts from consequences. A full policy Philip Morris said it is but part of a worrying trend. quitting their habit and said reorientation is needed… “firmly opposed to child According to Indonesia’s that, of late, the domestic Reorienting drug policies labour”.

28 matters of substance August 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Mythbusters

Substance and Substantiation

Smoke dope and become one?

If we are to believe recent media hype about the link between cannabis and educational failure, the future for our youth is bleak indeed. Mythbusters digs behind the headlines to weed out the truth.

“Potheads fail at school.” “Early Australasian cohort studies, including were not taken into account during the stoners lose education.” “Smoke dope the long-running Christchurch Health analysis. Secondly, there is the possibility and become one, study warns.” These and Development Study. The researchers of a reverse causal association, whereby headlines all appeared on various analysed the relationship between the educational under-achievement leads to high-profile New Zealand media outlets age of onset of cannabis use (<15 years, the increased use of cannabis rather than in response to new research evaluating 15−17 years or never before 18) and the other way round. Other limitations cannabis use and educational measures of educational achievement from this research include between-study achievement. If these claims are true, (high school completion, entry into differences in data collection methods, New Zealand is in serious trouble. university and degree attainment). confounders assessed and attrition rates. Our rates of cannabis use are among Importantly, they attempted to take The study authors themselves called the highest in the world. According to into account potential confounding for “further research that would discount the 2007/2008 New Zealand Alcohol factors such as socio-demographic possible alternative explanations of the and Drug Use Survey, about half the background, parental education, family association between cannabis use and population aged over 16 (46.4 percent) functioning and childhood achievement educational achievement, including the had used cannabis at some point in their prior to the onset of cannabis use. issues of uncontrolled residual lifetime, representing 1,224,600 people. Compared with those who first used confounding and reverse causality”. The median age at which this group had cannabis before age 15, those who had So what does all this actually mean? first tried cannabis was 17 years. Overall, never used by 18 had odds of high school There does appear to be an one in three New Zealanders who had completion 2.4−4.1 times greater, odds of association between early age of first ever used cannabis had first tried it university enrolment 1.8−2.9 times greater cannabis use and subsequent poorer when they were aged 15–17 years, and and odds of degree attainment 3.0−4.4 educational achievement, but that does one in six had first tried cannabis when times greater. But once adjustments were not mean, as the headlines suggest, that aged 14 years or younger. made for the potential confounders the we can assume all youngsters who use Tellingly, most news coverage did researchers had identified, these odds cannabis are condemned to life on the not report any actual numerical results reduced considerably, though they educational scrapheap. We are a long from this research, preferring sweeping remained statistically significant. way from conclusive proof of that. Risk estimates suggested that the pronouncements such as “the younger Mythbusters wholeheartedly endorses people start smoking cannabis, the early use of cannabis accounted for 17 the study authors’ call for more research more likely they are to fail in the percent of the overall rate of failure to and hopes the media takes heed. education system”. complete high school, 5 percent of the Sensationalist reporting may sell But how much more likely are they overall rate of failure to attend university newspapers but does nothing to advance to fail? And is this failure really due to and 3 percent of the overall rate of a mature debate on a complex social smoking cannabis at a young age? The risk failure to attain a university degree. issue. There are many good reasons to factors and life pathways for early cannabis But is early use of cannabis the real discourage young people from using use overlap considerably with those for cause of these poorer educational cannabis, but not all young people who poor educational outcomes. To find out outcomes? It is notoriously difficult to experiment with cannabis are doomed more, Mythbusters studied the research make causal inferences from observational to academic failure. paper behind the media claims and also studies. Firstly, there is always the reviewed other literature in this area. possibility of uncontrolled, residual For references used in this Mythbusters, visit The media’s interest stemmed from confounding – for example, genetic www.drugfoundation.org.nz/mythbusters. the combined findings of three factors or personality differences – that www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 10 29