Mattersof Substance. july 2017 Volume 28 Issue No.2 www.drugfoundation.org.nz

Moving to a healthy drug law by 2020

The Drug Foundation has developed Whakawa¯tea te Huarahi - A model drug law to 2020 and beyond. It’s intended as a conversation starter, and is based on international experience and New Zealand’s unique needs. Take a look then share what you think. Contents THE DIRECTOR’S CUT SOCIAL

@FullFrontalSamB You’re not going to believe this, An Aotearoa but we found proof that the War on Drugs is racist. #SamanthaBee ... JUN 9 Free from NZ 02 NEWS @NewshubPolitics .@paulabennettmp has admitted Drug Harm FEATURE: A KIWI IN THE LAND MUSIC AND the “Westie” in her wouldn’t mind marijuana COVER: A model drug law OF LEGAL CANNABIS 28 KIWI DRUG to 2020 and beyond USE being legalised – for medicinal purposes ... JUN 9 26 @robhosking Election Year gods smiling 06 mischievously. Medicinal cannabis *and* COVER WORLD euthanasia bills win private members’ ballot. STORY 04 NEWS

£1BILLION #nzpol It’s all on ... JUN 8

Women’s suffrage. Conquering Everest. Nuclear free. Treaty reconciliation. These are @Mike_Selick The #WarOnDrugs is “Slavery all proud moments in Aotearoa New Zealand’s by another name” – @msmonique_tula short history, but they all happened a wee Executive Director of @HarmReduction time ago. speaking at #HR17 ... MAY 15 Don’t you think it’s about time we added another landmark achievement to this list? W And can I be so bold to propose that @nick_clegg When a country as sensible as Canada comprehensive drug law reform be our is about to legalise cannabis, you know UK lags next proud moment? ROSS BELL behind. Time we stopped burying our heads in Executive Director Let’s imagine a new Aotearoa New Zealand where we approach our drug problem in a the sand ... MAY 13 more sophisticated and compassionate way, where we invest in the potential of young FEATURES @dtyukich Why would HNZ evict a mother of 8 out people instead of burdening them, where we equip our Police to better prevent crime, where we empower our communities to look after those of state housing using shonky meth tests, and put Become with drug use disorders. her children at risk? @TheHuiNZ ... APR 23 18 22 26 32 a member The Drug Foundation’s vision is for “Aotearoa New Zealand free from drug harm”. Ups and downs with Taking a reading A Kiwi in the land of Me and my interlock For us, this means we not only tackle the direct harms from a KEY EVENTS & DATES painkiller prescriptions of the pills legal cannabis Blowing into a device every The New Zealand Drug Foundation has Do we have a prescription Over summer, harm- Visiting three US states, time you start your car been at the heart of major alcohol and person’s alcohol or other drug use, we also seek to remove the harms problem? Matt Black asks reduction services were Stephen Blyth was isn’t hassle free, yet it’s other drug policy debates for over 20 years. created by our drug control systems and laws. The Australian Winter School: Connecting the alcohol and drugs some medical professionals once again at several surprised to discover that the one thing that could During that time, we have demonstrated Changing our drug law is the next step we should take to free sector, Brisbane if they think New Zealand festivals helping keep legal cannabis hasn’t drive down rates of people a strong commitment to advocating ourselves from the harm of conviction, of shame, of discrimination, winterschool.org.au can avoid the mistakes that people safer with reliable caused more than a ripple driving their cars over policies and practices based on the of stigmatisation. 27-28 JUL 2017 left so many US citizens information. The testing in the fabric of society. the limit. best evidence available. How should this be done? addicted to opioids. tool kit now incudes a We have long engaged in public discussion and debate about what Cutting Edge 2017: Addiction is Everybody’s Business portable spectrometer. You can help us. A key strength of the Drug a ‘health first’ approach to drug law might look like in a fairly general Te Papa Museum, Wellington Foundation lies in its diverse membership sense. It’s now high time to talk specifics. cuttingedge.org.nz base. As a member of the Drug Foundation, 6-9 SEP 2017 REGULARS you will receive information about major We’re hosting a major parliamentary symposium this month to alcohol and other drug policy challenges. hear from international colleagues about how they implemented drug Drug history in You can also get involved in our work to law reform and discuss amongst ourselves how we can eliminate the Valuing Connections, Connecting Values: PHANZ Conference, New Zealand 36 find solutions to those challenges. harms currently created by our law. The cover story in this issue lays Christchurch 38 40 42 News Extra 44 out our case. conference.co.nz/phanz17 Guest editorial: Viewpoints: Opinion: Our membership includes health promoters, 2-4 OCT 2017 Q&A: Johann Hari 45 We’re also releasing a proposed model drug law, which – because Rebuilding lives, Are communities Values-based politics primary health and community organisations, of our impatience – we want in place by 2020. Yes, this is only 3 years rebuilding really getting more and drug law reform researchers, students, schools and boards Mobilising for Change: Alcohol Policy and the Evidence for Action, communities say over what their of trustees, policy makers, and addiction away, but we’re not starting from scratch. Author Max Harris is Global Alcohol Policy Conference, Melbourne Vanessa Caldwell has a Local Alcohol Policies determined that we treatment agencies and workers. Our model draws heavily on the Law Commission’s earlier Misuse first-hand perspective on will look like? transform our political of Drugs Act review (which proposed a model of health referral instead gapc2017.org.au Membership and subscription enquiries 4-6 OCT 2017 some great community We explore the arguments process so that it is based of criminal convictions and of removing any legal barriers to innovative [email protected] initiatives that are helping for and against. on values and focused on harm-reduction practices) and on the existing Psychoactive Substances or visit our website. to keep people on the truly positive outcomes. Act (which imposes strict public health regulation over lower-risk 2017 International Drug Policy Reform Conference, Atlanta, Georgia road to recovery. drugs). Our model also demands new spending in education, harm reformconference.org www.drugfoundation.org.nz reduction and treatment – elements of Aotearoa New Zealand’s current drug policy that have been limited by a long-term lack of investment. 11-14 OCT 2017 Let’s not let any pre-election short-term political anxiety prevent matters of substance is published matters of substance invites Brand development/ NZ Drug Foundation us from following that new direction. Indeed, it’s been welcome to see by the New Zealand Drug feedback and contributions. graphic design 4th Floor, 265 Wakefield Street 27th IFNGO Conference: Understanding Addiction, Treatment, in the last few months a number of political parties happy to engage Prevention and Harm Reduction Policy, Macau Foundation. All rights reserved. If you’re interested in Insight +64 4 801 6644 PO Box 3082, Wellington, in very public discussions about reform. But we still need to find a way Neither this publication nor any contributing a guest editorial [email protected] New Zealand 6-8 NOV 2017 to help those larger parties from overcoming their shyness. part of it may be reproduced or article, please contact us: www.insightcreative.co.nz p +64 4 801 6303 We want your feedback on our model drug law. We’ll be holding matters of substance without prior permission of the [email protected] Follow us July 2017 Drug Foundation. p +64 4 801 6303 public meetings over the rest of 2017, and you are also welcome to Vol 28 No. 2 comment via our website. Join us online ISSN 1177-200X Happy reading. drugfoundation.org.nz/connect

This report is printed on Advance Laser, an environmentally responsible paper produced using elemental chlorine free (ECF) pulp sourced from sustainable and legally harvested farmed trees. Advance Laser is manufactured www.drugfoundation.org.nz 01 under the strict ISO 14001 environmental management system. The ink used in the production of this report is 100% vegetable based, mineral oil free and manufactured from 100% renewable resources.

News NZ. 09 03 Study finds 04 Mental health 05 Lotta Dann now young women review ‘going within’ binge-drink 24 litres of RTDs a year 10 Tenancies Amendment 07 Bill misguided 08 on meth MORE THAN 500 IN MAY, Living Sober signed 24LPER YEAR New Zealanders have told up its 5,000th member as the the government it’s getting online community’s leader A MASSEY University study harder to access mental Lotta Dann launched her finding women aged under 24 health services. second book, Mrs D is Going 01 03 04 who buy RTDs drink around The People’s Mental Health Within. Her first wasMrs D is 05 06 10 24 litres a year – more than Review was an online Going Without. 01 VAPING COULD BE LEGAL BY NEXT YEAR the heaviest-drinking group anonymous survey, carried In the book, Dann shares of males – has renewed calls out by independent group her personal practices and IN MAY, the government The government plans to legalise to restrict alcohol advertising Action Station. The report strategies in the hope they introduced an amendment and sponsorship. produced by the review may help others. Bill that would change sale of nicotine e-cigarettes (and recommendations included 09 Stress Alcohol Healthwatch Drug Foundation Programmes overtakes the Residential Tenancies nicotine e-liquid) by mid-2018. Executive Director Dr Nicki an urgent funding increase, Manager Nathan Brown Act to help ensure meth Jackson said binge-drinking independent oversight and a says being able to transform drugs and contamination (among The legislation will ban marketing displays was putting young brains at Royal Commission of Inquiry a private challenge into a alcohol as other things) is better into mental health services. 08 Whanganui LAP biggest managed. It says meth and restrict sales to R18, but branding will risk and increasing the risk positive social experience is Meanwhile, the government’s a powerful tool for recovery. would tighten challenge contamination is a be ok. Promotions and loyalty rewards will of alcohol spectrum disorder should a young woman recently announced Mental alcohol rules for youth “significant issue”. be allowed to encourage smokers to switch. Living Sober is a collaboration become pregnant. Health Addiction Workforce between Dann, the Drug The Bill would give landlords Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner said She said restricting the Action Plan has been greeted Foundation, Matua Raki and 02 easier access to test for meth, current thinking is e-cigarettes are 95 percent amount of brand advertising with some scepticism. The the Health Promotion Agency. and tenants will be able to Ministry of Health admits less harmful than regular cigarettes and that and reducing off-licence It encourages not just women terminate their tenancy if many people are not accessing but anyone to exchange unsafe contamination is this was an opportunity to see whether the hours were two ways to control binge-drinking services, but Health Minister experiences about how detected. Meanwhile, Standards move would reduce tobacco smoking. and that research showed Dr Jonathan Coleman said alcohol has affected New Zealand is working on The Drug Foundation welcomes the change a link between liking brands $7.5m would be invested with their lives. appropriate contamination a focus on early intervention. thresholds, which will be but advises a cautious approach to advertising. and drinking at a younger THE WHANGANUI District A YOUTHLINE survey has age and then drinking legally enforceable. 95 percent safer than outright poisonous is Council is developing a local found assignments, exams heavier quantities. and finances are the biggest The Drug Foundation has still harmful, and overly glamorised images RESOURCE alcohol policy they hope will reduce alcohol-related harm stressors for students – not serious reservations and http://nzdrug.org/2rBaU5n could compel regular smokers to light up. in the district. drugs and alcohol, as often believes the testing industry thought. Lack of acceptance, is playing on the current meth The draft policy proposes bullying and suicide were also hysteria to make a buck. 02 Less trouble in Balclutha since limiting off-licence number, named as key challenges. Executive Director Ross Bell barring new off-licences near alcohol ban 06 Medical cannabis law making heats up 07 Mob president takes on the Crown Youthline Marketing says giving new guidelines sensitive sites, ‘one-way door’ Information and legal status is pointless if those incidents in the CBD have cannabis was pulled from the Andrew Little said Labour president Rex Timu’s claim restrictions one hour prior to Communications Manager carrying out the tests are not reduced by 31–35 percent ballot last month. would legislate for medicinal against the health system. licensed closing hours, and Briana Hill said the results properly trained or regulated. since the Clutha District cannabis if elected. He said maximum trading hours for “We’ve seen a change in public Timu has accused the Crown were consistent with “This industry should have to Council’s 2014 liquor ban, cannabis products should be attitudes about medicinal of systemic racism, saying it licensed premises. international findings. meet certain standards set by which was extended in 2016. cannabis in recent years, thanks available to anyone suffering has failed to provide care The proposed policy is University of Auckland School the government around how The only places where to the many brave people who chronic pain or a terminal and rehabilitation for Ma¯ori backed by Police and health of Psychology Associate tests are conducted and how incidents had not reduced have spoken out about their condition if their GP signed and is not doing enough to and community groups, Professor Kerry Gibson said they are analysed and were around public bars, experiences,” she said off on it. reduce meth use. but liquor sellers, including life was harder for young interpreted,” he said. which Sergeant Hutton MEDICAL CANNABIS will be “The Bill is based on the best Labour MP Damien O’Connor FOLLOWING TOM Hemopo’s He says he has reduced meth supermarket chains people today as they faced Bell is also concerned says is no surprise. debated in parliament, after evidence of how to improve has drafted a Bill that would successful Waitangi Tribunal use amongst his members Foodstuffs and Progressive unrealistic expectations, about the science behind BALCLUTHA POLICE Sergeant He said installation of CCTV Green MP Julie Anne Genter’s mental and physical wellbeing shift decision making away claim against the Corrections from 80 percent down to Enterprises, opposed the uncertain financial futures the guidelines and that Robin Hutton says disorderly cameras in central locations Members Bill to legalise and and minimise harm.” from the Health Minister to Department, many await the 10 percent, so the government 9pm closing restrictions and a much more complex we’re the only country behaviour and alcohol-related had also helped. restrict the use of medical Meanwhile, Labour Leader GPs and medical professionals. outcome of Mongrel Mob has no excuses for its failure. for off-licences. social world. going down this route.

02 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 03 NEWSNews

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04 03 Australians worry about alcohol abuse

78% 08 06 Australia: 01 URUGUAY: CANNABIS FULLY LEGAL WORRY about excess drinking World health organisations 07 Italy’s Why tough 03 08 FROM JULY A FOUNDATION for Alcohol oppose revived community- love won’t help Research and Education (FARE) TPP talks based naloxone Uruguay has become the first country poll has found 78 percent of 04 Myanmar: More approach a respondents believe Australia 01 to fully legalise recreational cannabis health-centred success has a problem with excess drug policy 09 Canada: Drug 06 from production through to sale. drinking. 92 percent thought foreshadowed reporter team alcohol and domestic violence Pharmacies will start selling it in July, 05 Nearly 95 receives award were linked, and 35 percent percent cut for but buyers must sign up, submitting said they have been affected Drug Czar office by alcohol-related violence. their fingerprints, to ensure they do THE AUSTRALIAN FARE Chief Executive Michael Government is planning not exceed the monthly maximum Thorn said, despite this, many MÄORI HEALTH workers 10 UK: Plans to and international health to drug test 5,000 welfare purchase of 40 grams. Australians were resistant recipients in three locations raise £1 billion to changing their behaviour. organisations are calling ITALIAN PHARMACIES have by taxing legal on the remaining trade made naloxone, a medication based on the presence of “We know what the solutions The cannabis is grown at secret plantations LAST MONTH, a draft Bill ministers of the Trans-Pacific that blocks the effects of drugs in wastewater. cannabis are. Fix the way alcohol is proposing amendments to Partnership Agreement to stop opioids, available without Those testing positive will RIGHTS REPORTER by private companies regulated by the state taxed, reduce its availability Myanmar’s Narcotic Drugs revival talks. Their concerns prescription since 1996, be placed on a cashless debit Foundation (RRF) members and will cost less than half what it costs on and cut back on the way and Psychotropic Substances DONALD TRUMP promised include negative impacts and it has been used by card that cannot be used for István Gábor Takács (Video it is promoted.” the black market. Law was published for public to rid America of the scourge on people’s right to health, harm-reduction services alcohol, gambling or cash Manager) and Peter Sarosi The survey also found most consultation. It notably of drugs, crack down on such as access to affordable there since 1991. withdrawals. A second strike (Executive Director) received Meanwhile, Chile has become the first people believe the alcohol foresees that drug users will dealers and invest heavily medicines, and the influence However, a new report warrants a referral to a doctor the International Rolleston country in Latin America to sell cannabis- industry should be held be offered treatment and in programmes to get of tobacco companies. published by Forum Droghe for treatment, and a third sees Award from the board responsible for alcohol rehabilitation instead of heroin and other opioids welfare payments cancelled of the Harm Reduction £1B based medicines at pharmacies. The pilot “Tobacco industries may shows community-based BRITAIN’S LIBERAL Democrats harm, but Alcohol Beverages lengthy prison sentences. off the streets. turn around and say well harm-reduction services for a month. International Conference unveiled a dramatic manifesto programme is financed by an alliance Australia dismissed the poll Dr Nang Pann Ei Kham But in May, his administration that’s cut into their profitability have been most effective But Adjunct Professor at in Montreal in May. pledge to let shops and social as sensationalist and lacking between Chile’s Alef Biotechnology and from Myanmar’s Drug Policy revealed plans to gut the and take the countries to court in getting naloxone into the the National Drug Research Sarosi said there are more clubs sell cannabis, raising up in evidence. Canada’s Tilray under the supervision Advocacy Group said she 2018 budget of his Office in these tribunals that are hands of those who need it. Institute Nicole Lee says activists making videos to £1 billion in tax. They are of the Chilean National Health Institute. hopes the country’s current of National Drug Control extra-judicial to our own Researchers surveyed 204 restricting income and than ever before, referring thought to be the first major repressive approach will be Policy by about 95 percent judicial systems,” said Doctors individuals who claimed expenditure will not stop to the programme of the political party to campaign replaced with drug policies from $388 million to just of Healthy Trade spokesperson to have “used an opiate at people using drugs and Drugreporter film sessions on a platform of legalising based on human rights, $24 million. Dr George Laking. least 10 times in the past would create a number of at the conference, where as cannabis, something the 02 Scotland: Poorest at greater risk from heavy drinking public health and The cuts would mean But New Zealand Trade 12 months”. Only one claimed unintended consequences. many movies are produced government has refused sustainable development. the office could lose up to Minister Todd McClay said to have bought naloxone in “This proposal doesn’t address by drug user activists as by to do. UNIVERSITY OF Glasgow drinkers were seven times “We welcome the 33 employees. The budget New Zealand consumers will a pharmacy as their normal any of the broader social risk professional film makers. The manifesto promises to researchers have found heavy at risk of an increase in alcohol government’s intention ... would also eliminate grant not pay more for medicines practice, and only four claimed factors that maintain drug use Many such activists were “break the grip of criminal drinkers from deprived areas harm. Excessive drinkers in but to be successful, it will programmes it administers, as a result of TPP and that it to have ever purchased naloxone and trigger relapse: mental trained by RRF. gangs” completely and legalise are at greater risk of dying deprived areas were 11 times be equally vital to ensure including the High Intensity includes a specific carve-out in a pharmacy. Conversely, health issues, disrupted He also urged participants not cannabis for people over 18. or becoming ill due to at risk of an increase. that health and social Drug Trafficking Areas restricting tobacco companies 84 percent of those surveyed connection with community, to leave behind those activists After winning just 12 seats alcohol consumption. Lead author Dr Vittal Katikireddi interventions for drug users Programme and the from taking action against a said their regular naloxone lack of employment and and professionals who work in Westminster in the June Compared with light drinkers said it suggests that poverty are truly voluntary and Drug-Free Communities member country in relation sources were local harm- education, housing instability in countries where harm election, delivering on this in advantaged areas, excessive may reduce resilience to disease. evidence-based.” Support Programme. to tobacco and public health. reduction services. and poverty.” reduction is in decline. promise is very unlikely.

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In line with our mission statement to be a catalyst for action, In line with our mission statement to be a catalyst for drug the NZ Drug Foundation has developed a new model law based on evidence and the experiences of other would go jurisdictions. We believe it makes a lot of sense and think? a long way towards reducing drug harm. What do you A model drug law to 2020 and beyond

te Huarahi Whakawātea matters of substance of matters C

06 Cover Story

In 2017, the time is ripe for us to set a new course and Whakawätea te Huarahi make real our Clearing the pathway forward vision of an Whakawātea ‘Whakawätea’ means to clear, free up, cleanse or purify spiritually, while ‘huarahi’ is a pathway, Aotearoa free te Huarahi road or track. For us, the t itle “Whakawätea te A model drug law Huarahi” signifies a fresh start for the debate on from drug to 2020 and beyond drug policy and a sense of movement towards a harm. better future.

ew Zealand prides On top of that, drugs cost us a lot. The of Drugs Act 1975, we are already under criminal justice system and into education, itself on being New Zealand Drug Harm Index estimated way with positive change. assessment and treatment. Model drug law proposal a trailblazer in the total social cost of illicit drug-related Excellent drug harm-reduction policies New Zealand’s National Drug Policy progressive reform: harms at $1.8 billion in the 2014/15 year. we currently have in place include our 2015–2020 dovetails with that approach. think marriage In that year, the Ministry of Health needle exchange programmes, opioid It aims to prevent and reduce the health, equality, the spent $78.3 million on interventions, substitution treatment, Police warnings social and economic harms linked to drug N anti-nuclear act, while the Police, courts and Department and diversion for minor offences and the use and to promote and protect health the welfare state of Corrections spent $273.1 million, Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court, and wellbeing. and women’s suffrage. mostly on enforcement of our laws. Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua, in Auckland. The policy regards drug use as a health GOALS In 2017, we again have the chance to Money is accordingly being used There are also iwi and community and social issue and emphasises health- lead the way by burying the failed War on on ineffective attempts at enforcement justice panels operating in some parts of based approaches. This makes it a good Drugs and putting health at the core of our rather than being spent constructively the country. These provide a constructive springboard from which to launch change. 5Goals For example drug laws and policies. on a health-focused approach. We would means of dealing with minor offending. Model drug law Both in the political and the public reverse the ratio of spending. On top of that, a lot of the thinking Minimise the harm • Young people have special protection from harm . In 2017, the time is ripe for us to set spheres, we have many areas of consensus The public is ready to support change. needed to underpin a new, health-based caused by drug use • If people decide to use drugs, they start later and use less. a new course and make real our vision 1 • Anyone can access treatment when they want it. to build on. For example, we all agree that A poll commissioned by the NZ Drug approach to drug regulation has already of an Aotearoa free from drug harm. • The law makes it easy to take action that reduces the harms drugs can – and do – cause harm to some Foundation last year found 64 percent been done. The Law Commission spent So we’ve come up with a model drug caused by drug use. individuals and to wider society. A key of respondents believe possession of a four years researching and consulting law that is about just that. It is built on Respect human rights • Penalties for drug-related behaviour are proportional to the harm goal of law change, therefore, should be small amount of cannabis for personal the public about drug laws between evidence, research and experience. But to reduce the risk of harm. use should either be legal (33 percent) 2007 and 2011. caused to others. it is not our final say – it is a conversation 2 • People who use drugs have access to an equal quality of care in There is also sweeping agreement or decriminalised (31 percent). More than 3,800 submissions were starter. We want to hear from you about the health system. that our current drug control efforts The results confirm a shift in the made on its review, meaning that a very how we can improve it. are themselves causing harm. In a community’s mood: regardless of party broad cross-section of New Zealand was The model drug law we propose has Safer communities with • Drug-related crime is reduced by investing in prevention, less drug-related crime education and treatment. democratic country, punishment should affiliation, there is consistent support for canvassed before the Commission released five key goals (see right), including safer 3 • The black market is reduced, and no one profits by causing harm. be proportionate to the injury caused by moving away from the current criminal its final 350-page report. communities as a result of less drug-related the crime. justice approach to drugs. The Commission made 144 detailed crime and minimising the harm individuals, Equity for Mäori • Mäori are integral to developing and implementing drug law. This is not the case at present. What we We also have growing political support proposals for reform, including calling for whänau and the community experience • Mäori are not disproportionately impacted by laws. 4 • If a regulated cannabis market is developed, the economic have is a regime that burdens young people for a new approach, including progressive repeal of the Misuse of Drugs Act and its from drug use. with drug convictions that stay with them drug policies developed by United Future, replacement with a new law administered These aims have been developed from benefits are felt by Mäori communities. for years and sometimes for their lives. the Greens and The Opportunities Party. by the Ministry of Health. community workshops we have held Policy is cost-effective • Money is spent on what works to reduce harm – such as This makes it difficult – if not impossible We are fortunate that reforming our The report recommended adopting a around New Zealand over the past year, and evidence-based treatment rather than enforcement. – for them to obtain jobs and participate drug law does not require us to start from more effective approach to personal drug and they also mesh well with international 5 • Regulations are as simple as possible and provide value for money. fully in society. scratch. Within the confines of the Misuse use by directing people away from the research on drug reform.

08 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 09 Cover Story

Portugal has invested heavily in drug treatment and prevention. Mobile health workers hand out methadone, sterile needles and condoms. Portugal’s drug-induced death rate is now five times lower than the European Union average. Decriminalisation

• Replace the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 Those found with Class A drugs would We want to avoid making with a new law administered by the be issued with a caution and required the same mistakes that were Ministry of Health. to attend a brief intervention run by a made with alcohol and • Replace criminal penalties for community-based organisation. This would tobacco, where powerful possession, use and social supply of establish whether the person would benefit industries with vested drugs with a health-focused system. from further assessment and treatment, Keep criminal penalties for dealing in which case, they would be referred for interests resist regulatory and manufacturing drugs. non-compulsory treatment. Those found changes intended to put with Class B drugs would be referred to a • As proposed by the Law Commission, health before profit. introduce a mandatory cautioning brief intervention at their second caution scheme for possession and use of and those with Class C drugs on their third drugs, with a focus on: caution. Drug classes would be reviewed to ensure classifications accurately reflect −−reducing the number of people likely health harms. introduced into the criminal justice system • Remove criminal penalties for the possession of drug utensils. −−ensuring those with drug use issues For more on are offered pathways into treatment • Review the maximum penalties for drug decriminalisation as early as possible. dealing, manufacture and trafficking see pages 4-5 of to ensure they are proportional. our model drug law

The alternative to prohibition does DRUG POLICY SPECTRUM not have to be a free commercial market: there is a whole spectrum Photo credit: Neil Moralee Street Shot Portugal flickr of different policy options, as shown Unregulated Unregulated by the Global Commission on criminal legal market market Decriminalise use After a set number of cautions – Drug Policy’s diagram right. We support repealing the depending on the legal classification of The first part of our model drug law is 42-year-old Misuse of Drugs the drug – a person would be required to based on the Law Commission’s 2011 attend a brief intervention session or be Act and replacing it with a recommendations and the Portuguese prosecuted. Brief interventions would model of reform. Portugal decriminalised new law administered by involve a preliminary screening and a the use of all previously illicit drugs in discussion about the risks of drug use the Ministry of Health. 2001 and invested heavily in prevention, and whether the person would benefit Social and health harms treatment and harm reduction. from social support or treatment. Drug use is still prohibited in Portugal, People who failed to attend the brief PROHIBITION DECRIMINALISATION RESPONSIBLE LIGHT UNRESTRICTED but it does not result in criminal penalties & HARM REDUCTION LEGAL REGULATION REGULATION ACCESS intervention session would be prosecuted. in most cases. Portugal’s experience has As the aim is to keep the focus on DIFFERENT DRUGS DIFFERENT DEGREES OF REGULATION been that this approach has decreased improving health outcomes, the small drug use among young people, led to fewer people in jail and reduced HIV infections number of people convicted would face and overdoses. low fines or the option of attending treatment programmes. PEOPLE CHARGED WITH POSSESSION We support repealing the 42-year-old NUMBER OF The model drug law would also AND/OR USE OF AN ILLICIT DRUG OR Misuse of Drugs Act and replacing it with DRUG UTENSIL IN 2015 PEOPLE CHARGED 4,057 a new law administered by the Ministry require us to review and reclassify current scheduled drugs according to the harm they NUMBER of Health. Possession, use and social CONVICTED 3,140 supply would be decriminalised, and pose, as there are many inconsistencies in the current classifications. possession of drug utensils would no MĀORI longer be an offence. We also think the current penalties 1,299 As recommended by the Law for dealing and manufacturing drugs Commission, Police coming across need review. For example, the current EUROPEAN 1,541 someone in possession of drugs maximum penalty of life imprisonment for would issue a caution notice, provide dealing in Class A drugs puts such activity information about how to get help and on a par with murder, which we consider confiscate the drugs. to be disproportionate.

10 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 11 Cover Story

We need to ensure cannabis packaging is fit for purpose and carries prominent health warnings. In an entirely profit-driven A regulated market for cannabis market, companies would target heavy users and Within strictly regulated guidelines, it would no longer be an increase harm from cannabis offence to possess, use, grow or sell cannabis. (as indeed occurs currently). For that reason, we need to regulate any market. Cannabis would be sold at licensed outlets Cannabis would be grown under licence and from a single, regulated website or at home for personal use. • Licensed shops sell only cannabis • Central authority licenses and regulates products and cannabis-related utensils. growers according to clear guidelines. Outlets situated a minimum distance • Cannabis farms kept deliberately from schools, alcohol outlets and other small-scale to promote community cannabis outlets. Only over 18s allowed development. to enter, and no products or advertising visible from the street. • Individuals can grow up to three plants each (maximum six per household) for • Consumption of cannabis allowed only personal use. in private residences or by special licence at events. System would be regulated under the • Territorial authorities issue retail Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 (PSA) licences based on a set of health- • The PSA already establishes a focused principles. Where they do regulatory authority and a workable not issue any licences, online sales regulatory regime covering licensing, fill the gap. Regulate cannabis cannabis and to provide excellent paraphernalia and plant seeds. Businesses marketing, retailing and penalties for ... we support plain prevention, education and treatment. would be prohibited from selling alcohol • Strict regulations around advertising. breaches. It could be tailored to Our model also has a separate section We believe this can be achieved by and tobacco alongside cannabis to minimise Sponsorship, gifting and promotional regulate a cannabis market. packaging with health covering cannabis. Social and cultural replacing our current prohibition system the risk of compounding harms or creating deals not allowed. • Existing regulations could be altered to warnings, limited shop norms about cannabis are changing, as for cannabis with a regulatory system. new cannabis markets. • Packaging is child-proof and includes allow the sale of raw cannabis up to a frontage advertising, no demonstrated by the 2016 poll and by This certainly does not mean open slather The locations and opening hours health warnings, information on maximum potency for anyone licensed the legalisation of cannabis in eight or a free commercial market. In an entirely of licensed premises would be strictly advertising outside licensed potency and how to access treatment. to do so. Those wishing to sell products American states as well as some type profit-driven market, companies would regulated. There would be no retail outlets other than raw cannabis (such as venues and no sponsorships of decriminalisation or legalisation in target heavy users and increase harm from near schools, for example. Communities • Online sales allowed through one Trade edibles or concentrates) would apply or gifts. We don’t envisage 44 countries. cannabis (as indeed occurs currently). For would have a say in whether premises Me-style site only, under government separately for product approval to the We know that a majority of people use that reason, we need to regulate any market. were permitted in their areas. oversight and regulation. Strict age seeing The Cannabis Shack regulatory authority established under cannabis without serious health harm. The NZ Drug Foundation’s proposal for Workers in cannabis shops would checks both at point of sale netball or rugby team. the PSA. However, a small proportion experience a model drug law would start with very have training in health issues relating (via RealMe, for example) and at negative impacts such as anxiety, strict controls, which could be amended to cannabis, such as keeping an eye out delivery (courier required to check ID). Pricing and taxes depression, memory loss and mood swings. as appropriate over time. We want to avoid for signs of dependency. Only those The website would promote harm Those with sustained use face long-term making the same mistakes that were made over 18 would be allowed entry, and all reduction, for example, facilitating • To discourage harmful use, cannabis health risks such as respiratory disease with alcohol and tobacco, where powerful products would be stored securely behind health interventions for those using sales would be subject to minimum (if smoked) and mental illnesses such as industries with vested interests resist the counter. the most, and would collect valuable pricing. A higher price would apply to schizophrenia, at least for those who may regulatory changes intended to put From a purely health perspective, data on consumption levels. higher-potency products. be predisposed. health before profit. It makes sense to setting the age limit at 20 or even higher • A levy would also be payable on each Cannabis also carries the risk of start cautiously and monitor the impacts would be the best option. However, this purchase. Proceeds from levies would dependency in around one in 10 users. as we go. would create avenues for a black market be earmarked to cover the cost of the Heavy use by young people has been We advocate for a regulated market to flourish, as a large percentage of those regulatory regime as well as treatment, linked to poorer outcomes in education for cannabis, which keeps health interests who already use cannabis are between the education and prevention programmes. and employment as well as a reduction central. There is already a regulatory ages of 18 and 20. It makes sense to align in IQ points, although the research on system set out in the Psychoactive the cannabis age with the legal alcohol this is mixed. Substances Act 2013 that could be purchase age and then focus on minimising We want to create a system that modified to accommodate the development harm through health interventions. will make it more difficult for those of a cannabis market. The purpose of that We do not want to encourage the under 18 to access cannabis than it Act aligns perfectly – it aims to regulate development of a wide range of cannabis For more on how we currently is and will make it easier for the availability of psychoactive substances products, as this could encourage new would regulate cannabis, see pages 6-10 of our anyone struggling with their use to to protect health and minimise harm. users, especially young people. It would model drug law access support. Our regime also aims to We propose that licensed premises go against public principles to allow THC discourage mixing alcohol, tobacco and would sell only cannabis, cannabis-related gummy bears for sale or for people to sell

12 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 13 Cover Story

Under our model, individuals could grow up to three plants each for personal use.

special brownies at farmers’ markets, for per household, would be a reasonable Licensed premises would be required is one of the key ways to reduce use. The disproportionate drug prosecution example. Therefore, if edible products are Portugal’s success number. There is no science to setting a to display public health information Cannabis would be taxed according to its and conviction rates for Mäori – who to be available, these should be licensed with its decriminalisation limit on the number of plants allowed. prominently, explaining to people how potency. Those using higher-potency comprised 41 percent of those given jail for sale on a case-by-case basis. A licence Some jurisdictions – such as Washington to moderate use and detailing how to products are most at risk of harming terms for drug offences between 2010 and could only be issued if manufacturers policies to a large extent State – allow none, while others allow six access help for drug-use issues. themselves, so consumption of high- 2014 – is discriminatory. Among cannabis demonstrate a low risk of harm and meet rests on the fact it combined or more. Our compromise of three plants There would be a limited online potency products would be moderated users, 3.4 percent of Mäori, compared other criteria. new drug laws with a hefty would allow people to grow enough for market, possibly organised similarly to a by higher prices. with 1.9 per cent of others, reported legal We also want to keep profits in investment in prevention, their own needs but not so much that a Trade Me page. Obviously, there are risks The NZ Drug Foundation supports problems from their cannabis use in the communities and stop Big Cannabis black market would be created. that those under 18 could seek to purchase regular reviews of the law to ensure it past 12 months. from gaining a stranglehold on the market. education and treatment. online, but these can be guarded against by It is worth noting that, in New Zealand, is working and not having negative We believe the model law will benefit We would therefore restrict farm size by ensuring that the person who accepts the people are allowed to grow tobacco and health impacts. Mäori by reducing health harms from keeping each grower below a maximum product delivery is the same person named brew their own alcohol, but very few people As well as improving health and drug use and drastically reducing the number of plants. A government body on the credit card used for the purchase. number of drug convictions. Equity actually do either. We envisage the situation reducing the long-term harm and stigma would license all suppliers, but the number Another option would be using a RealMe could actively be promoted by ensuring would be the same with cannabis once the of convictions, our approach makes of suppliers and amount of product account to prove identity. Mäori experience any economic benefits novelty of growing plants at home wore off. economic sense. A Treasury official in produced would depend on the market. Even in a legal market, there need to of law changes. Restricting advertising is a key way to 2016 calculated that legalising cannabis We support supply models that will be penalties for not sticking to the rules. In the United States, indigenous reduce demand for a product, so we support would save $400 million a year on drug enable disadvantaged regions to benefit Once again, the Psychoactive Substances American tribes from California to New York plain packaging with health warnings, prohibition enforcement and reap an extra from growing cannabis. This could be Act already provides a good model. This legalised cannabis in their tribal areas in limited shop frontage advertising, no $150 million in tax revenue. done by keeping licensing requirements would mean those selling cannabis to 2015, and a number of tribes began tribal advertising outside licensed venues and simple and inexpensive and helping people under 18 could be fined up to There would be no need for separate cannabis-growing operations. We are no sponsorships or gifts. We don’t envisage current small-scale suppliers move from $5,000, while under 18-year-olds buying laws regulating medical cannabis because actively seeking Mäori/iwi feedback on seeing The Cannabis Shack netball or the black market into a regulated market – cannabis would face fines of up to $500. the therapeutic use of cannabis would no this proposal to explore whether there rugby team. for example, by providing pre-approved There would be penalties for manufacturing longer be illegal. Cannabis-based medicines is similar potential for Mäori communities We want to avoid the product looking packaging and assisting with taxes or selling without a licence and for making would continue to be available through in New Zealand. and forms. too glamorous and exciting. At the same misleading licence applications. the pharmaceutical approvals model. Eliminating harms A levy would be taken at the point time, we do not want it to be so standardised The government would control We would like these medicines to be of sale, with the money collected going that the black market steps in to fill cannabis prices to restrict demand – as it easier to access and fully subsidised. We are very realistic about our proposals. back into covering administration costs already-existing niche requirements for does for alcohol and tobacco. We suggest Smarter drug regulation cannot by itself What’s in it for Mäori? as well as education, treatment and products. For those reasons, it is important minimum pricing as well as a regime of eliminate drug harm. Reform needs to be prevention programmes. the growers can establish brands by levies that would be earmarked to fund An important element of our model law accompanied by upscaled harm prevention. Our model also provides for people displaying their logos and information treatment services. is Mäori equity. Te Tiriti o Waitangi We need effective education, strong to grow their own plants. We think three identifying the provenance of the cannabis We have learned from regulating the provides guarantees to Mäori about their drug harm prevention standards, better plants per adult, with a maximum of six and its effects. tobacco industry that keeping prices high status and treatment. access to treatment and drug early-warning

14 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 15 Cover Story

The stepped tukutuku pattern of Poutama symbolises growth and striving ever upwards. In our model drug law this signifies our vision of an Aotearoa free from drug harm.

It is not generally appropriate for the State to Timeline for reform intervene coercively to prevent individual citizens Our vision is a staged approach. from harming themselves.

LAW COMMISSION REPORT 2011 CONTROLLING AND REGULATING DRUGS (PAGE 48, PARA 1.44) Review the offences and penalties regime for drug possession, Review the Psychoactive New law to replace Launch a Right now, we know as required by the Substances Act 2013 MoDA comes into force public information National Drug Policy. (PSA), as required and drug use is that young people have easier campaign. by the Act. decriminalised. access to marijuana than just about any other illicit substance. It’s easier to buy a joint for a teenager than it 2017 2018 2019 2020 is to buy a bottle of beer. That’s not right.

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA Draft and introduce Update the PSA to a new law to replace Parliamentary get it working as it was the Misuse of Drugs Act process to approve intended and allow drugs 1975 (MoDA). new Bill. currently falling under information systems. Portugal’s success The NZ Drug Foundation also the Psychoactive Substances Act. MoDA to be assessed for inclusion. with its decriminalisation policies to a supports helping young people remain This would enable a regulated market large extent rests on the fact it combined in education by strengthening supportive to be developed. new drug laws with a hefty investment school cultures to reduce disengagement Five-yearly reviews of the Psychoactive in prevention, education and treatment. and exclusion resulting from drug or Substances Act and the new drugs law 2020 alcohol use. would be built into the legislation. We are calling for a doubling of • Reclassify cannabis as a • Undertake regular research, • Review the new law and the The War on Drugs has been raging for ONWARDS investment in addiction treatment and Where to from here? low-harm substance within the monitoring and evaluation on PSA at 5-year intervals. more than four decades. In that time, it has support services to eliminate waiting lists. PSA and begin developing a drug use and drug harm under We see a staged approach to bringing consumed billions of dollars and failed The $350 million spent every year on regulated market. the new legislation. drug-related issues should be targeted in the model law. A review of the offences utterly to cure the harms it seeks to address. away from enforcement and into treatment, and penalties for drug use and possession In May, the Police admitted that this required by the National Drug Policy is country’s meth problem was getting worse support and prevention. due to start in the second half of this year, and that their battle against it had achieved In the past year, around 50,000 people which makes now an ideal time to start “no visible impact”. In fact, in 2016, the wanted help to reduce their alcohol or working on introducing a Portuguese-style Police seized more than twice as much drug use but did not receive this support. model of decriminalisation here. meth as in any other year, but this had At present, we only spend 3 percent of the To do this, we propose the government no impact on the drug’s availability. total health budget on addiction services, drafts a new drugs Bill in 2018 to be We know our proposals are likely to and this needs to increase. We would administered by the Ministry of Health. cause controversy and concern. But it is Let us know what you think also like to see increased spending on A public information campaign on the time for a new, evidence-based approach community-based and whänau-centred Bill could take place in 2019 prior to that will actually curtail the harms We want these drug reform proposals to be as good as they can services, including those that focus on submissions being called by select New Zealand must urgently address. be. You are invited to tell us what you think of the proposal. Is it young people. committee. We would like to see the Tough talk on drugs might sound good, workable? What parts would you change and why? Low-threshold approaches such as new law in force by 1 February 2020. but it is achieving nothing. online and self-help options should be Meanwhile, the Psychoactive We are planning to bring as many voices together as possible this made available, and there should be a Substances Act is up for review in 2018. year to see whether we can develop some consensus around a government-funded destigmatisation This is therefore the right time to reform workable model. We’ll be holding community hui and talking to iwi, campaign to reduce negative public it, both to make it work as it was intended politicians, young people, people who use drugs and many others. perceptions of people who use or depend and with an eye to bringing the regulation Please let us know what you think of this policy by attending one of on drugs or who are in recovery from of cannabis into the revised Act. You can download a copy of the our hui or going to nzdrug.org/drug-law-2020 drug use. Likewise, those in prison After 2020, cannabis could be model drug law online, or email us at should have much better access to drug removed from what is currently the [email protected] and alcohol treatment, both in jail and Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 and reclassified for a paper copy. after their release. as a low-harm substance falling under

16 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 17 Feature

SELECTED OPIOID CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY (2014) Methamphetamine 200 Ups and downs makes up 70 percent of our admissions. GHB and meth Morphine 150 Oxycodone are driving us insane.

JOHNNY DOW 100

with painkiller mg/capita prescriptions 50 0 Canada US Australia UK Scandinavia* New Zealand Japan

* Weighted average: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden. Cited in “Opioid rain: opioid prescribing is growing and practice It’s widely accepted that over-prescription of opioid is diverging” by Alan Davis, et al, NZ Medical Journal (2016) Volume 129 Number 1440 painkillers, and associated addiction, is a deadly problem in many countries throughout the world, notably the US.

But just how bad are things here in Godzone? How aware orporate America The early and widespread availability been banned from his medical centre in are our medical professionals of the dangers of doling out is no stranger to of OxyContin is now considered to be the Karori for a long time. “We just stopped malfeasance in the root catalyst of America’s current heroin them coming ages ago.” opioids, and are we doing anything to curtail overzealous pursuit of profit, epidemic, a nationwide disaster and the The campaign to make the New Zealand prescribing? Matt Black talks with some medical but by any standard, worst drug crisis in the country’s history. medical profession aware of the perils of the US$634 million Of the 52,000 American overdose deaths oxycodone has been largely successful. professionals to find out. MATT judgment handed since 2015, some two-thirds have been Pharmac data shows prescriptions dropped BLACK C down against Purdue attributed to heroin or prescription from 180,830 in 2012 to 151,134 in 2016. Frederick in 2007 for the misrepresentation painkillers such as Percocet, OxyContin But prescriptions of other strong opiates of its opiate painkiller OxyContin remains and fentanyl – more deaths than car across the same period went up, with a milestone. crashes and gun homicides combined. morphine rising from 161,229 to 203,690 In the judgment against three of the More than 165,000 Americans have died and fentanyl almost doubling from 28,623 company’s top executives, a federal judge from opiate overdoses between 1999 and to 57,132. extraordinarily bemoaned his inability 2014. To provide some New Zealand The increase in fentanyl is largely to jail the plaintiffs for substantial perspective, that’s 30,000 more people attributed to prescribing in aged residential periods as they had already arrived at the than the population of Tauranga. care, where it has also nearly doubled. multimillion dollar plea deal, but he did For a time, New Zealand looked like Strong opioid prescribing rates for people additionally sentence them to three years it was following the American model of over 80 are six to seven times higher than probation and 400 hours community oxycodone distribution. Between 2007 for those under 65. There is no hard data service each – all to be served in drug and 2011, oxycodone prescriptions rose to indicate why that is, but one assumption prevention or rehabilitation. A US 249 percent. But in 2014, disturbed by is that there are increased needs for pain Department of Justice media statement international reports of the drug’s potential relief from operations, arthritis, cancer or from 10 May 2007 reads: for addiction and abuse, the Health Quality other common causes of pain in the elderly. “Even in the face of warnings from and Safety Commission and New Zealand’s Despite these seemingly large increases health care professionals, the media, district health boards (DHBs) launched in strong opioid prescription, New Zealand’s and members of its own sales force that a collaborative initiative to reduce the black market for prescription opiates OxyContin was being widely abused and prescription of oxycodone, clinically remains tiny compared to other countries, causing harm to our citizens, Purdue, championed by Dr Peter Moodie. indicating that the medications are mostly under the leadership of its top executives, “We got a dramatic decrease in the being used by their intended patients as continued to push a fraudulent marketing usage of it. Unfortunately, when a drug prescribed. Data from the National Drug campaign that promoted OxyContin as less is still under patent, it tends to be heavily Intelligence Bureau put 2015 seizures of addictive, less subject to abuse, and less promoted. If you take a drug like morphine, heroin at 38 grams (across 14 incidents), likely to cause withdrawal,” said United which is now a generic drug that has been oxycodone at only 549 tablets and fentanyl States Attorney John Brownlee. around for hundreds of years, it’s not powder at 1.6 grams, with most of these “In the process, scores died as a result actively promoted by any particular drugs seized at the border. Morphine and of OxyContin abuse and an even greater company, whereas things like oxycodone codeine remained the most seized opioids, number of people became addicted to were being heavily promoted by the with 2,184 codeine tablets seized in 2015. OxyContin; a drug that Purdue led many company that was selling it.” Presentations at treatment organisations to believe was safer, less abusable, and less “If you’ve got a new drug, you want to for opiate addiction in New Zealand are also addictive than other pain medications on promote it as much as you can to get the very low. Johnny Dow, Clinical Director at the market.” sales up.” He says drug sales reps have Higher Ground, a residential facility with

18 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 19 Feature

Dr Peter Moodie Hancock points to a cultural and You go to Amsterdam New Zealand has educational change among her colleagues The moment you give about the hazards of strong opiates, and or Sydney or New York, reasonably rigorous oxycodone in particular, as a result of the narcotics to someone who and you can go into areas, safeguards in place American experience. is a drug seeker, that neighbourhoods where the designed to prevent “When we were at medical school, message will go through dealing is physical in the over-prescribing, either we were taught, as were doctors in America their networks like wildfire. and everywhere else, that if people had street. I can’t take you intentionally or through real pain, opiates were blocking the It happens on occasions, and anywhere in Auckland people ‘doctor shopping’. pain perception with very little risk of sometimes they will target to show you that. addiction, so everyone felt comfortable out new associates, because socking in large doses and didn’t give they think there’s a new ROBERT STEENHUISEN much thought to withdrawing people. But now we have much greater knowledge doctor in town. of chronic pain, that the body has its own natural systems of painkilling – both an DR PETER MOODIE opioid one and a cannabinoid one – and that if you use painkillers for too long, it shuts down the body’s own mechanisms, ultimately increasing pain perception.” Echoing Dow’s comments about a newfound caution among the medical profession, Hancock expresses concern

that doctors in general practice have swung Photo credit: Fairfax Media NZ too far the other way and become afraid to prescribe strong opiates when they might 52 beds, says only one of his current patients are users of prescription opiates, before actually be appropriate. “I think what was happening was that that message will go through their networks it is important to identify some groups that used opiates as their drug of choice. adding he isn’t seeing any transfer from “I think some doctors have taken that people were thinking it wasn’t as powerful like wildfire. It happens on occasions, may be particularly predisposed. “Methamphetamine makes up 70 percent prescription drugs to street drugs to an extreme degree where they just use as morphine.” and sometimes they will target out new “People with a conduct disorder of our admissions. GHB and meth are like heroin. paracetamol and ibuprofen, and that’s Moodie’s next comment might have associates, because they think there’s a in childhood, AD disorders – and in driving us insane. Some of our patients “It’s probably the [lack of] availability. meant to be adequate for all forms of pain. come directly from a transcript of the case new doctor in town. In this practice, we’re particular if they had both – they are would dabble in it a little bit, but it’s not You go to Amsterdam or Sydney or But everybody has a different level of pain against Purdue in 2007: always keeping a watch to see how many susceptible. People who come from their drug of choice. We used to have a lot New York, and you can go into areas, tolerance and perhaps a different severity “Because of the name, you thought narcotics we’re using, just to make sure broken homes, who haven’t had a lot of people coming off methadone. It was neighbourhoods where the dealing is of muscular-skeletal pain. it was just a strong form of codeine.” someone hasn’t slipped in and become a of attention or support and other groups. really hard for them. They needed a lot of physical in the street. I can’t take you “In the case of severe pain, we should He’s also worried about the rise in drug seeker without us recognising it.” I think we need to acknowledge every clonidine patches, and we’d take them to anywhere in Auckland to show you that.” have the confidence to introduce, monitor fentanyl scripts. Hancock: “We’re regularly told one of us has the potential for addiction, the sauna just for the last detox of it. I can’t He does suggest that New Zealand may and wean off a medication and inform “We have to be careful with drugs like how many scripts of this and that an internal war going on between our remember the last person who was coming have a group of people using prescription fentanyl, which again seem like an easy the patient fully of what the whole we prescribe of various medications impulses to indulge and out impulses off methadone. I think the population is opiates recreationally. way out. It has the supposed advantage process is about. Nobody should have compared to our peers. If someone comes to control. As a profession, we need to be just getting smaller and smaller.” “Most of these people will be fairly that you just put a patch on, so you don’t to suffer pain because we’re too scared in and they have needle tracks all over advanced and honest enough to embrace Dow suspects much of the medical reluctant to seek treatment with a DHB- have to take the medicine regularly. But of getting them addicted. We’re also so their arms, you tend to be a little more addiction as a sickness, recognise the profession have become cautious of operated alcohol and drug rehab programme. terrified of using benzodiazepines that we again, we have to be careful. That’s a careful about what they are asking for. risks of our prescribing but above all not reaching for the controlled drugs pad. They wouldn’t think they have a problem give them out two at a time. It’s subjecting seductive message, and I think people We’ve got our eyes out for the devil turn our backs on the problem so that it “They’re pretty worried about what with it.” people to more anxiety and discomfort are easily being put on it too much and incarnate, but anyone can get addicted. otherwise manifests in preventable deaths happened in America, aren’t they? The Given the relatively insignificant than is necessary.” for too long.” It’s not a respecter of class, race or and infection.” medical profession must be aware they seizures of prescription opiates by the Moodie sees things differently. New Zealand has reasonably rigorous intellect. It’s a part of human nature.” New Zealand’s current drug problem over-prescribed, which has caused this Police and the lack of presentations “I don’t think that’s the case. I think safeguards in place designed to prevent She worries that, once someone is latest heroin epidemic.” at rehab clinics, are these increases in there’s been a heavy pressure that, if you over-prescribing, either intentionally with prescription opiates appears to considered a drug seeker or addict, Robert Steenhuisen, Regional Manager strong opiate prescribing really a problem? want to give somebody something, start off or through people ‘doctor shopping’ be pretty minor. It seems likely that they get substandard care on every level. for the Community Alcohol and Drug Dr Julie Hancock, a GP at CityMed in with morphine. That gives you a clear or otherwise exhibiting drug-seeking the action taken by Dr Moodie and “Even if they’re seriously ill, all the doctors Services (CADS) in Auckland, is Auckland who has recently returned from internal message that you’re using a potent behaviour, including peer, clinical New Zealand’s DHBs has prevented responsible for admitting addicts to the International Medicine in Addiction drug. And if you feel that’s justified, well and Ministry of Health Medicines will see is ‘drug addict’. We don’t want to a similar situation to the addiction the region’s methadone and Suboxone Conference in Sydney, says sometimes the that’s fine. I’ve got no indication that people Control reviews. deal with you, out on the pavement thanks. statistics in America and possibly now programmes. He also says the number of lack of alternatives can make prescribing are underusing these medications at all.” There is also a system called Test Safe, And I don’t think that’s fair. We haven’t facing Australia. people presenting with opiate addiction painkillers problematic. He says the explosion in oxycodone where doctors can see all the prescriptions got any right as medical practitioners to “I’m very pleased that the campaign are static or decreasing. “There’s codeine, tramadol, and if prescribing in New Zealand may have that have been filled, with the prescriber, judge. That happens right across the we ran some years ago is still having an “The current caseload is around 1,200. people can’t tolerate anti-inflammatories, been due to a misunderstanding about dates and quantity of drugs. Nevertheless, board – judgements are made about effect,” Moodie says. “It means there’s less Each year, around 100 people come off then you really are quite stuck. I find that the power of the drug, which is nearly Hancock and Moodie agree there is still a addiction on whether you should be drugs available for the black market.” and another 100 enrol, so there’s a very since useful medicines like Paradex went twice as strong as morphine and has a danger of prescribing too freely and of ‘that type’ of sick.” slow churn.” off the market, there isn’t really very much far higher bioavailability (15–20mg of becoming known for it among drug users. She says in the context of prescribing Matt Black is an Auckland-based But he says within the population between paracetamol, codeine and the oxycodone is approximately equivalent Moodie: “The moment you give painkillers and other narcotics, despite every freelance writer. seeking treatment, a significant number strong opiates.” to 30mg of morphine). narcotics to someone who is a drug seeker, one of us having the potential for addiction,

20 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 21 Feature

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography t’s day one of about harm reduction. If they wanted drugs the festival, and ... if such harm reduction tested, they were shown to the back room Wendy Allison is services were standard of the tent, where each test was conducted seeing a problem. using the same process. She and her at festivals, it would help The client scrapes three small samples harm-reduction save lives and reduce onto a plate (all samples must be handled team have been harm to people attending only by the client), and two are tested I checking the the events. with reagents. The client is informed of contents of drugs brought for testing by the result. The third sample is then moved festival-goers – and alarm bells are ringing. onto the testing plate of the spectrometer Most of the powders presented throughout where two analyses are done: one for the the day as MDMA (ecstasy) have not been services were standard at festivals, it would main ingredient, another to discover MDMA but various cathinones – part of a help save lives and reduce harm to people whether there is a mixture of substances. group of chemicals colloquially known as attending the events. Unlike the reagent kits, the spectrometer “bath salts”. Another festival promoter told us he test is non-destructive – meaning the client Most cathinones do not present considered allowing drug checking at his has to be warned not to dab a finger and a critical risk of harm in themselves, summer show, “but we were advised that lick off the sample afterwards. Drugs but they typically react badly with other the Police would prefer we didn’t do it”. cannot be consumed in or near the tent. drugs – most notably with alcohol. Their He says if the law was changed, “I’d “Having the spec there has improved preponderance is such that Allison decides absolutely do it. I don’t want kids taking our service a great deal,” Allison says, it’s something the festival’s medical staff bullshit drugs and passing out. They need “but both methods have their advantages should know about. to be informed.” and disadvantages. For example, the spec But there’s a problem. Officially, He emphasised that his major can’t pick up LSD because LSD comes in Allison isn’t doing what she’s doing. problem – and the bane of any festival such small doses that it doesn’t actually Or rather, the festival promoters have promoter’s life – was alcohol, and register against all the other things you agreed to allow her to offer harm-reduction pre-loading in particular. will find on a blotter or in a liquid sample.” advice on site on the basis that they Still another promoter was keen to don’t explicitly know that the advice allow drug checking but bowed to the will include drug checking. qualms of the site owners. The reason for this wink-and-a-nod Nonetheless, this past summer, Allison agreement is that section 12 of the Misuse and her volunteers, under the banner I’d absolutely do it. I don’t of Drugs Act puts the event organisers in Know Your Stuff, conducted 318 tests want kids taking bullshit peril of up to 10 years imprisonment if on substances presented to them at eight they “knowingly allow” the consumption events. Some events were essentially drugs and passing out. They of controlled drugs on the site they control. private parties, but the largest, the one need to be informed. That in turn could also void their event described above, was host to thousands. Taking a insurance. They literally can’t afford Allison has been conducting drug checking FESTIVAL PROMOTER to know the details of harm reduction. using Marquis and Mandelin reagent kits But Allison is unwilling to take the step for several years, but last summer was the of telling the medics without asking the first time she’s had access to a portable organisers’ permission. In the gathering FT-IR spectrometer. “Reagents are really good at picking dusk, she reaches the production manager The briefcase-sized device, which up the cathinone family. We can very reading of on his mobile phone and explains the uses a frequently updated online reference quickly look at a reaction and say, yes, situation. The manager listens carefully library to identify drugs in samples, this is a cathinone, but it isn’t very good and says “Yes, do that”, and tells her was purchased jointly by the New Zealand at distinguishing between them. But if you who to seek out in the medical team. Drug Foundation and New Zealand Needle then take that sample and put it on the spec, The medics, it turns out, are very Exchange Programme. grateful for the heads-up. They’re keen for “Adding to the tool kit so people at it can tell you exactly which cathinones the pills her to come along to other events they’re festivals can get accurate information are present. Similarly with ketamine working on. It’s a good result. But getting about what they’re taking isn’t a new and cocaine, reagents are not very good to that result has meant defying the law. idea. We’ve seen this sort of service work at picking those up, but the spec is. –– overseas. Knowing this, we decided to Each has its advantages.” This summer, people at eight festivals around the country “It was the common sense thing to do,” invest in the latest technology. It could The spectrometer’s ability to pick up says the manager who cleared Allison to be the thing that saves a life,” says Drug multiple substances in a sample turned out accessed practical harm-reduction services. The low-key talk to the medics. “But right up until that Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell, to be important. “We found a number of approach received much praise from everyone involved. point, I was prepared to deny we had any who joined the volunteer testing team at samples that had a cathinone mixed in knowledge of it.” the large festival. with MDMA, which suggests MDMA may Russell Brown talks with those behind the free substance The head of the festival’s medical team At outdoor events, Know Your Stuff be being included in pills that are mainly confirmed that the advice from Allison set up in a two-room tent. ‘Clients’ found cathinones in order to baffle reagent tests.” tests, whose job is made all the more difficult for having had been extremely useful. “We only had the tent – by successfully interpreting the But reagents have another, perhaps to operate under the legal radar. RUSSELL anecdotal evidence when we arrived,” signage or word of mouth, the service unexpected advantage. People take them BROWN adding that, if such harm-reduction cannot be advertised – and came in to talk more seriously.

22 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 23 Feature

Photo credit: Richie Hardcore Some substances – most notably QUOTES OF SUBSTANCE cannabis, but also GHB and psilocybin mushrooms – were likely in use but not presented. Demographic trends emerged: on the second day of the festival described above, older punters came in – and their MDMA generally was MDMA and not cathinones. The inability to advertise meant that only 5–10 percent of recreational 20%OF SAMPLES NOT THE SUBSTANCE WERE 52%INTENDED NOT TO TAKE A SUBSTANCE IF drug users came into contact with the NOT WHAT PEOPLE EXPECTED THEM TO BE RESULTS SHOWED IT WAS NOT WHAT THEY service, however, and even fewer at the largest event. THOUGHT IT WAS But notably, Know Your Stuff was not able to test for dose, meaning that, if any When it comes to of the very high dose MDMA pills being drug policy, I am proud found in Europe were present in to affirm here tonight New Zealand, they were hard to spot. that our government “It is of concern,” says Allison. “We were brought several pills this year fully supports harm that were larger than usual. If a pill tests as reduction as a key pillar having MDMA as the main ingredient and in that policy. it’s a large pill, we can advise to approach with caution. We do have scales and weigh 39PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES FOUND: Canadian Health Minister Jane Philpott anything that looks like an unusually large MDMA = 39%, LSD = 24% had an uphill task convincing HRI pill or dose. One pill this year weighed conference goers their government is nearly 400mg and contained MDMA – doing enough to combat overdose deaths. for this person, we advised that, if they intended to take it, to only take a fraction “The visual reaction you have there of it and await developments before “For practical reasons, and no other, bar staff) where possible, the law discourages Nearly half of clients with in front of the client is actually quite considering taking more and even then that’s not likely for a little while yet. the kind of coordination that would make And, legal or not, samples that were not as they important psychologically for priming to approach fractionally. The prospect of getting something through the service most effective. She would also nothing changes the people to be told their sample isn’t what “Our advice is always assume it’s very Parliament as a one-off is pretty remote. like to coordinate better with chillout fact that in terms of had presumed chose not to they thought it was,” Allison explains. pure, and if you intend to take it, do not So it will have to wait for the overhaul zones, “to the extent that they exist. It’s take the drug and had access “When they actually see it happen in assume that one pill equals one dose. of the Act, which is due in the next couple actually quite a gap in event infrastructure outcomes, the drug doing to a jar of acetone in which front of them, they have a lot more trust It’s always safer to take in fractions, and of years or so. in New Zealand – an acknowledgement that the most damage, by a to dispose of it. in the result. The machine doesn’t even we do advise people to weigh their doses “For the moment, and in the discussions people have difficult experiences and may factor of 1000, is alcohol, go beep – it just does its thing, and we – however, we can’t do this for them due I’ve had with officials, there’s a general even end up needing to be in what I would and the NRL knows it. tell them the result. to the legality issue of ‘helping’ people acknowledgement of the value of this form call ‘psychedelic first aid’. “You can show them the chart and say take drugs. of testing. What it’s really going to come “People end up being dealt with by We all know it. ‘This is what it’s supposed to do’, and then “The bottom line is that, until we have down to is the Police exercising some sort security or site management – who aren’t Former Wallaby player Peter FitzSimons they see what it does do and it’s not that. NMR or GC-MS testing available to us to of discretion. Now, that’s fine until you get trained, don’t know what they’re doing calls for a sense of perspective after So they have a buy-in to the process.” test purity, users will be vulnerable to this. a zealous cop who sees his chance to stamp and can often make the situation worse league players reportedly used cocaine. Nearly half of clients with samples that It is a real concern that’s likely to grow, and his mark on something at a local level.” or escalate it to a medical situation where were not as they had presumed chose not we are limited to advising extreme caution. The Police response to our questions all it needed was for someone to sit down to take the drug and had access to a jar of I am unsure how effective it is to tell people (“All we are able to say on this,” said a quietly with them and let them get their acetone in which to dispose of it. Those to only take a half without being able to spokesperson) was measured, if inscrutable. shit together. I think that’s a service Tonight, my daughter, who said they would still take their drug back it with a test reading of purity to show “Police applaud event organisers who that could run quite neatly alongside born in 2000, cannot (in some cases, people who had simply a good reason why, but it’s all we can do operate responsibly and ensure event goers what we do.” paid for cocaine but got amphetamine) right now.” have a good time without over-indulging,” Allison and Dunne both envisage this conceive of marijuana were counselled on minimising risk. —— said a Police statement. kind of joined-up approach becoming part being illegal – or frankly There was some good news. Samples “What I’d like to see,” says Allison, “The use of drug-checking kits is a of health and safety expectations for events understand why any drug presented by users as LSD (the second most “is for the law to get out of the way of matter for event organisers to consider. so that, instead of voiding promoters’ is illegal. common presumed substance presented this – specifically, a change to section 12 However, Police will continue to maintain insurance, it becomes a condition of it. behind MDMA – ‘unknown’ was third) to make an exception for harm-reduction an appropriate presence at these types of For the moment, says Allison, “It’s On Ethan Nadelmann’s departure from were much more likely than in past years practices. It’s a small change to the Act. events to ensure people have a good time working, but it’s only working because the Drug Policy Alliance, Senior Director to be what they were presumed to be. It’s not condoning drugs, it’s not legalising safely. Police will also respond to any drug everyone is pretending they haven’t seen asha bandele paid tribute to the Correspondingly, fewer samples of the – what it’s doing is decriminalising or alcohol related harm event which occurs us. And that’s not really good enough. high-impact reformer. potentially deadly LSD substitute 25i-NBOMe organisers who get us in.” at this type of event.” “It should be legal to do what we do.” were encountered. No 4-FA (the chemical “The only solution ultimately will Putting this form of harm reduction implicated in the recent deaths of several be an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs on a more certain footing would have Russell Brown blogs at publicaddress.net and people in Melbourne who thought they Act,” agrees Associate Health Minister many advantages. While Allison shares co-hosts Media Take. were taking ecstasy) was found. Peter Dunne. information with medics (and sometimes

24 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 25 Feature 1-502 WASHINGTON STATE MARIJUANA INITIATIVE AND PUBLIC INVESTMENTS here is a big difference between We immediately see this what we might GENERATE NEW RESOURCES conjure up in our nose dive in terms of arrests A Kiwi in the imaginations about – from an ACLU perspective, General support for: how legal cannabis this is a big gain. We didn’t might look in the want to see people harassed • Education, health care, and public safety T United States and the reality of what’s actually happening or getting in trouble with Dedicated funding for: land of legal there. As I packed my bags, I expected to the law. be surprised and not a little shocked by • Healthcare blatant advertising, rampant use and MARK COOKE • Drug prevention, treatment and research concerted opposition. • Marijuana law enforcement cannabis In the places I visited, almost the opposite was true, and it was surprisingly ho-hum. Not only was the business side of things restrained, but with use only allowed in private homes, public displays $533M Setting out to see what is happening in three USA states of cannabis use were hidden away. After ANNUALLY IN NEW TAX REVENUE speaking to taxi drivers, barristers, locals FOR CARE PUBLIC PRIORITIES where it’s legal to possess, use and sell cannabis, the and experts, the heat really seems to have Drug Foundation’s Stephen Blyth was uncertain what ebbed out of the debate. I came across no controversy. Unexpectedly, it was quite PROMOTE JUSTICE AND EQUALITY he’d find. In this report on his short visit, he shares an anticlimax. The good and bad impacts of legalising Likelihood of using marijuana how things are playing out on the ground. STEPHEN BLYTH cannabis are not necessarily visible to the Blacks and naked eye, and its significance only comes whites equally clear when you dig deeper. Legal cannabis likely to use was ushered into Washington state in possession conviction being lifelong. Not marijuana November 2012 when 55.7 percent of only do people get tarred with a criminal ... being arrested for marijuana possession voters put their hands up for Initiative 502. record, but they face numerous restrictions, including barriers to education loans, Licensed stores have been operating since Blacks 3.2 times July 2014. public housing, food stamp benefits and more likely to “I generally say the sky isn’t falling,” access to licences in various professions. be arrested for says Mark Cooke, a Campaigner for Smart “Marijuana prohibition has not only 3.2x possesing marijuana Justice with the American Civil Liberties cost billions of dollars for taxpayers, but Union (ACLU) Washington State chapter. it really has affected millions of lives, “If you ask most people, and there particularly communities of colour,” has been some polling about how the Tyler says. WHAT IT WOULD DO Washington law has impacted on your life, “The drug is only really a gateway to Initiative 502 would regulate tax and legalise they’d say it hasn’t made any difference. the criminal justice system for the black small amounts of marijuana for recreational Life really hasn’t changed that much. and brown communities.” use among adults in Washington state This really is a reflection that prohibition A staunch critic of the War on Drugs, wasn’t working.” Tyler argues that the shift to legalisation The ACLU-Washington spearheaded is about achieving health and public safety REDUCE PUBLIC COSTS change to tackle the state’s discriminatory gains by getting control of the black market approach to drug laws. Almost overnight, through good regulation. In 2010, 45 percent of all drug arrests in cannabis possession charges dropped. “Any system where kids don’t have Washington state Records show arrests fell by 98 percent access, where dosage can be controlled, 45% were for marijuana between 2011 and 2013. where quality assurance can be maintained “We immediately see this nose dive and where individuals involved in the in terms of arrests – from an ACLU business aspect are insured and assured ... AND COSTS ADD UP perspective, this is a big gain. We didn’t of legitimate business dealings, then we It costs the state and also don’t have the problems you see with want to see people harassed or getting in local governments trouble with the law,” Cooke says. prohibition,” she says. $ almost $3,000 for Advocates for healthier and fairer ways —— 23M each individual of dealing with drugs say significant social While staying in Overlook, Portland, PER YEAR charged with a justice gains follow legalisation. Speaking my host told me the New Amsterdam marijuana crime from a national perspective, Jasmine Tyler, dispensary was just around the corner. the Open Society’s Washington DC-based It was the first place I headed to. As I Senior Policy Adviser, repeated a familiar strolled down Killingworth Street, passing budgetandpolicy.org refrain about the impacts of a simple drug the friendly Milk Honey neighbourhood

26 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 27 Feature

Jasmine Tyler, the Open Society’s Washington DC-based Senior Policy Adviser. Dan Riffle outside the US Capitol Building.

Marijuana prohibition Frankly, the grow and has not only cost billions of give system like we have in dollars for taxpayers, but it DC ... is probably better from really has affected millions a public health perspective of lives ... than what you see in Colorado and other states where the JASMINE TYLER drug is heavily marketed and promoted.

DAN RIFFLE

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/gbcsumc café, I had to strain my eyes to see the marijuana sold there, it can’t be by schools All this growing and selling is with estimates being at around US$90 promises of bags of cannabis in return dispensary across the road. A minimalist or parks, so there’s some buffers, there’s generating a lot of turnover. The profits According to exit polls, million for 2017. In neighbouring for a donation. One tattered business card green cross was the only sign it was restrictions on advertising and you have are spilling over beyond just the growers Washington state, the tax take in the from 420 Road Side DC offered 24-hour a dispensary and not a doctor’s surgery to be 21 years or older,” he says. and shop owners. Visiting a downtown 70 percent of DC voters were second full year of operation was cannabis delivery. or a yoga studio. A bold notice on the Picking up price lists for products at Portland law company specialising in in favour and were so because US$220 million, US$60 million ahead “A lot of gifting is going on. And of door warns off anyone under 21 years. the dispensaries, it’s obvious there is a lot advocating for and defending the interests of racial justice aspects. Given of earlier estimates. This suggests growth course, some people are trying to push The New Amsterdam shared a lot of money to be made. Some of the strains of cannabis growers, I hear about the scale who was consuming and will continue, with tax being earned at the envelope and get cute with the system in common with many other dispensaries attract a premium, selling for as much of the industry. In Oregon, which has a the rate of US$1 million per day. in terms of having delivery and home- I wandered by in Oregon. Retail sales as US$17 a gram. Other products are population of 3.7 million, 14,000–15,000 who was getting arrested, As much as politicians may be torn baked edibles in return for a donation”, in the state began in July 2015 after designed to be sold in bulk, with the people are said to be employed in the it was outrageous. between damning the industry and says Washington DC resident Sanho Tree, 56 percent voted to allow recreational price for a pre-rolled joint set at US$4. ‘canna-business’. And added to this count delighting in the economic contribution, a Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. use of cannabis, based on regulation and The variety is plentiful and the are the lawyers, security companies, SANHO TREE the income does accumulate, and it’s This is the type of thing the local police taxation. Businesses have to comply with language flowery. The lists of balms, electricians and others in ancillary trades. unlikely anyone wants to see less are unwilling to let get out of hand, so there regulations that stipulate appropriate concentrates, whole leaf bags, edibles The numbers aren’t a surprise as it’s money flowing in once the pipe is have been prosecutions of some operators promotion, location, labelling and a raft and topicals are extensive. And it’s not a labour-intensive process to grow and pumping away. in this ‘grey market’. Tree is quick to point of other conditions. only plant matter. Pipes, vaporisers and process crops. I saw this first-hand when —— out that overwhelming support for legal Exterior signage is invariably kept to a bongs are also stacked up. At Uncle Ike’s, I toured an indoor growing operation This type of money is not being talked cannabis wasn’t so much about people minimum. From the outside, no products a well established Seattle utensils retailer, in an industrial zone near Portland about in the nation’s capital itself. lighting up for themselves. Voters’ primary are visible, and on the inside, everything you’ll find something at every price level. International Airport. Apart from four tightly regulated medical concern was addressing high arrest rates for is under glass or behind the counter. At the top end, a one-off bong costs as From the street, the innocuous cannabis dispensaries, it is not legal to sell drug offences experienced by the African You can’t approach a dispensary without much as US$2,500. warehouse betrayed nothing whatsoever cannabis in Washington DC, so the Council American community. knowing the age restrictions, and staff seem Information about what type of high a of the scene inside. But on the day I can’t generate tax from it. Instead, residents “According to exit polls, 70 percent vigilant about checking. If you don’t have particular strain will give you is plentiful, visited, 20 employees were engaged in may legally grow up to six plants, carry up of DC voters were in favour and were so a valid ID, you can’t even get in the door but harm-reduction information is scant. various tasks, while the business owner to two ounces in public and give away as because of racial justice aspects. Given at many places. And once back outside, If there is signage about health effects, fielded calls from dispensaries, legislators much as they like. who was consuming and who was getting it is not ok to light up. There was no one it’s most often only the minimum required. and a printing company. The team were There were few outward signs that arrested, it was outrageous,” Tree says. smoking cannabis in the parking lot or on It’s obvious retailers aren’t going out of busily engaged in pricking out seedlings, people there ‘give and grow’. With outdoor The changes have led to a turnaround the footpath. It’s takeaway only, intended their way to display anything that will scrubbing down one of three massive grow use banned, I smelt as much cannabis in in arrest rates, but DC voters and politicians for consumption on a couch at home. warn people off the products. rooms and harvesting, packing and testing. DC as I might in our own cool little capital. still want legal sales. However, despite According to Mark Cooke in It’s the same deal with packaging. It’s pretty obvious that cannabis has That’s not much, but, inevitably, there popular support, the Council is unable to neighbouring Washington, similar A warning about age limits and details quickly grown to be a formidable business. were some trying to bend the rules. proceed because Congress has vetoed the regulations are working pretty well so far. of the THC and CBD ratio is printed, The tax take in Oregon bears this out as Wandering the bustling Adams Morgan change. A lack of any regulated approach “The way the marketplace is set up but cautions about potential health risks projected revenues are being surpassed. café scene one night, I came across a few means usage data is not collected, nor can with a limited number of stores, only are absent. Last year, US$60 million was collected, people enticing passing revellers with education efforts be ramped up.

28 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 29 Feature

Roger Roffman, Professor Emeritus of Social Work. Long-time cannabis advocate Dan Riffle says there is a lot to like about what is In hindsight, change was What was feared by many happening in DC. He started work as a prosecuting attorney in Ohio and then inevitable. It was like a freight – an explosion of cannabis spent six years working for the Marijuana train coming down the track, use by young people – has Policy Project and has been tracking what partly because of culture war not occurred. has happened since cannabis became legal politics in the United States in US states. ROGER ROFFMAN “Frankly, the grow and give system and how it has exhausted like we have in DC, when anyone who itself in many respects. wants marijuana can get it but you don’t see billboards and signage, is fairly ideal. SANHO TREE It is probably better from a public health ... at the big, big picture perspective than what you see in Colorado and other states where the drug is heavily level, we didn’t want this marketed and promoted,” Riffle says. to be treated as a crime any —— more, and we wanted to Visitors to Washington State can pick create a market that would up a gaudy tourist map showing where all the dispensaries are, what tours are offered replace the black market. and details about the types of products So on those two measures, available. Kush Tourism offers trips in it’s working. Seattle where you can see behind the scenes, including journeying through a MARK COOKE forest of cannabis. “Breathe deep, relax and enjoy your Washington adventure!” the brochure exhorts. “You tend to have advertising from the industry that glorifies or glosses over the “The best way to do it would be to late 1960s and published many studies acknowledging and accepting legalisation,” The place of cannabis in society For any jurisdiction looking at negative impacts. So far, the laws haven’t have state control, so you really can limit while working at the University of Roffman says. and culture is only going to become change, Riffle says the starting point been written with an eye towards what is advertising and the ability to ensure Washington, Roffman saw inherent Notwithstanding these concerns, more normalised as the years pass. will always be rapidly shifting away the best way to reduce the harms from the public health messaging. Unfortunately, dangers in legalisation. Roffman believes that legalisation has done Columnists in local papers share from the punitive approach. use of marijuana,” Riffle says. I don’t think it is a viable option in the “I opposed legalisation until this more good than bad. Reviews of the impact cannabis cake recipes, and it’s not “The no brainer part of this is don’t It’s still early days, but the influence United States.” point, because marijuana is a drug that of legalisation are part of the law, with the hard to find reviews of cannabis varieties arrest and prosecute people for marijuana, of the industry is growing rapidly. For —— can be problematic. People can and do first report by an independent research and products. In the Portland Mercury, don’t treat it as a criminal infraction,” those who have seen the path taken Pick up a copy of The Nickel, a Kelso, become dependent,” he says. agency due in September 2017. At this the pot lawyer answers readers’ questions. he says. by tobacco and alcohol industries, this Oregon-based classifieds-only giveaway, He also cites dangers when people point, little is known about whether freer Nobody seems bothered by me asking Across the country in Washington is worrying. and you’ll find an ad showcasing the wares drive, operate machinery or have pre- access has meant higher levels of cannabis questions about dope, none are outraged. state, the sentiment is the same as at the local Marijuana Mart, over at the existing mental health issues. The “Creating a for-profit industry that dependence. But some data on prevalence Moves are under way in Oregon for Cooke underlines. 7th Avenue Shopping Center. A big deal emphasis on addressing inequalities promotes a drug is about demand promotion. is in. local authorities to offer cannabis café “It’s not totally perfect. But at the big, The way a business that sells marijuana is made about the price of pre-rolls and in arrest rates began to sway Roffman. “What was feared by many – an licences, with an option for people to big picture level, we didn’t want this to will work is the same as a business that wax products. In tiny print, a warning He ultimately changed his mind when explosion of cannabis use by young people run weddings and other events where be treated as a crime any more, and we sells shampoo, batteries, t-shirts or other mentions that the product is intoxicating he saw commitment from others behind – has not occurred,” Roffman says. guests can take cannabis. This feels like wanted to create a market that would goods. Its aim is to increase demand for and may be habit forming. This is about Initiative 502 to address responsible —— just the beginning. replace the black market. So on those its products,” says Riffle. as good as it gets when it comes to public use by adults, provide good education If what happens with alcohol stores is “In hindsight, change was inevitable. two measures, it’s working.” Already the influence of the industry health messages. and adequate treatment. Not all this has anything to go by, retail outlet density It was like a freight train coming down in politics is being felt. Riffle points to In neighbouring Washington state, come to fruition. Any change comes with its share of plays its part in determining how much the track, partly because of culture war funding of advocacy organisations by promises about education and prevention “Public education, prevention, surprises. For me, the most unexpected use there is. Driving through downtown politics in the United States and how it industry players and a revolving door haven’t been kept as legislators try to get treatment and research is funded at a thing was observing how undramatic the Seattle on the way to my accommodation, has exhausted itself in many respects,” between regulators and companies. their hands on the new pot tax revenue. far lower level than originally stated. early days of legal cannabis in the USA Tree says. Under a fully commercial model, The ballot initiative included provision Much of the money has gone to other I didn’t see any dispensaries. It’s not are playing out. Perhaps it’s true that, there is a certain inevitability to this. for a swag of public health activities such purposes. It’s still substantial but not surprising, because in the city of almost “This is particularly with regard to if you sweep away the allure and make Tree, who has studied drug market as a helpline, prevention resources for as much as envisaged.” 4 million, only a few of the 30 odd Baby Boomers and their baggage. It was something boring, the fuss dies down. dynamics in the USA, Central America schools and education aimed at adult Rather than providing evidence-based dispensaries are located in the CBD. just a question of when.” I’m certain that there are many problems and Asia since 1998, says a standard users. Four years after Initiative 502 guidance, the “just say no” message is The signs the city is cashing in on Despite a conservative Attorney that have yet to surface, but I’m also business logic will take hold. He argues passed, the helpline has not been set up being repeated. Efforts to reach out to green tourism are modest. When I got to General tilting at pot, most people I talked heartened by the certainty that there are it’ll take active vigilance and checks and funding for prevention is not at the adult consumers will only be rolled out the room I booked through Airbnb, I rifled with agree. Commentator Dan Riffle sees many people determined not to let things and balances from policy reformers level expected. later in 2017. through the care package from my hosts. legalisation as inevitable but says look get out of control. and legislators to avoid any excesses. This is galling to one of the ballot’s “The money allocated for public Along with the standard toothpaste and to states other than those adopting a Pushing back against commercialisation backers, Professor Emeritus of Social education went to a state agency and was mints, I found a whiskey miniature and fully commercial model. None of the Stephen Blyth is the Drug Foundation’s is something Cooke would like to see. Work Roger Roffman. Having researched spent without this new legitimate way of pre-rolled joint. I could have had it for a reformers want to see Big Cannabis Communications Manager. But he is not optimistic. the impacts of cannabis use since the dealing with marijuana, without really suggested donation of US$5. having excessive influence.

30 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 31 Feature

And I have to make that noise an average of every 20 minutes or so while driving. I love that it reinforces The device randomly beeps as long as an association between the ignition is on, and I have to blow again each time or it will refuse to start next time sobriety and driving in my I stop. This is to prevent me from having mind and that, for as long Me and a sober friend, who’s also good at imitating as I have it installed, I’m a pig in pain, from starting my car and prevented from drinking and letting me drive away after drinking. I can’t imagine any true friend who driving again and accidentally would do that, however, and I certainly killing someone. wouldn’t wish for one. It’s also inconvenient. When I first my interlock took my car in for repairs, I had to wait around the whole time to start it whenever the mechanics needed to move or test it. The second time we decided it was better for me to spend 15 minutes getting one The government has announced that, this year, alcohol of the crew up to speed on achieving the interlocks will become mandatory for some convicted porcine blow. That’s worked out ok. Every month, too, I have to drive 25km drink drivers. In this article, our correspondent to the installer so my interlock data can details what it’s like to have an interlock installed and be downloaded for analysis. Any time I attempted to start the car with alcohol how it may help them never to drink and drive again. on my breath or failed a rolling retest would be recorded as a violation, and I can’t apply to have the interlock removed unless I’ve had no violations at all for the have an alcohol Ordinarily, receiving an interlock last six months of the sentence. interlock wired sentence would cost you $2,500 or more Once the interlock has been removed, into my car’s over the course of the year. This is on top I will only be eligible to apply for a zero ignition system. of any fines you receive and covers the alcohol licence. This type of licence is It means my car rental of the device, its installation and restricted (or limited) to a three-year term. will refuse to start the cost of the monthly data downloads. It’s a welcome condition. It means that, for unless I blow into However, due to low numbers receiving I the next three to four years, alcohol is no the device with the sentences, the Department of longer a choice if I want to drive my car. absolutely no alcohol on my breath. It was Corrections was running a scheme at the It’s unthinkable to me to risk another put there for 12 months by order of the time of my sentencing where they would alcohol and driving offence, and if I can courts after my second drink drive pay the full cost for 100 interlock sentence go four years without booze, chances are conviction, and I both love it and hate it. recipients. I was lucky enough to get the I can make it a permanent thing. I love my interlock, because every 97th placing. time I go to drive, I’m necessarily reminded As things currently stand, if you have It was Corrections’ view that cost was that I have two drink driving convictions two drink drive convictions within five the major barrier to people receiving (one of them disturbingly high) and that years and at least one of them is very high interlock sentences, but I doubt that is I have been courting a potentially serious (more than 800 micrograms where the truly the reason. Quite simply, almost alcohol problem. I love that it reinforces legal limit is 250 micrograms), you are everyone I encountered in the legal system an association between sobriety and driving eligible to receive an interlock sentence. at the time had little or no understanding in my mind and that, for as long as I have You are disqualified from driving for of the interlock sentencing scheme, and it installed, I’m prevented from drinking three months instead of the one year and driving again and accidentally killing and a day that would normally apply in that’s why it was not being used. someone. That’s a biggie. these circumstances. This is a good thing I didn’t hire a lawyer because I didn’t I hate the interlock because it’s because losing your licence for more than think the one I engaged for my first offence embarrassing and leaves me with nowhere a year means your current licence lapses five years ago did anything I couldn’t to hide. Anyone in the car with me will for good, and you go back to being like have done. This was a mistake. The tired, want to know what this device is and a teenager again. After your 366 or 367 harassed and disinterested duty lawyer why it’s there – and what can I tell them days, you have to apply for a completely I was assigned on the day (and who I saw but the truth? new licence, get a learner licence, probably for less than 10 minutes before my The noise I have to make when blowing have to take driving lessons etc, which appearance) had no idea what an interlock into it is also embarrassing. I need to sort would be an absolute pain in the neck. was or how to ask for it. He mentioned of hum and blow at the same time for it to This may extend the punishment, but it it when addressing the judge because work, which sounds a bit like the moans would achieve little in terms of deterring I insisted on it but was completely a pig with a very sore tummy might make. anyone from drinking and driving. unable to make any case for it.

32 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 33 Feature

SOME FACTS AND FIGURES In short, if you haven’t used your interlock year to work on your alcohol problem, there’s no guarantee you’ll be in much better shape once the device is removed. % of eligible offenders have received an interlock sentence

Interlock2 sentences have been available since 2012 for repeat drink drivers or drink drivers with high alcohol levels. However, only 2 percent of eligible offenders have received the sentence. Between 2011 and 2015, the social costs associated with drink driving averaged And the judge had no idea either. first-time offenders caught driving to similar proportions three years after in much better shape once the device is an estimated $704m per year. Quite simply, almost His view was that I couldn’t have an more than 3.2 times over the legal limit. interlock removal. removed, even if you have met all the There were nearly 21,000 drink drive everyone I encountered interlock because the Land Transport Offenders will still have to pay, but $4m A 2011 evaluation of Saskatchewan’s exit criteria. court cases in 2014. Around half of Act 1998 mandated an indefinite licence will be set aside in a subsidy scheme to voluntary interlock scheme (Robertson et Normally when you receive an in the legal system at the time those convicted (10,094) had at least disqualification. He was unaware that assist those who can’t afford them. Under al.) followed 681 offenders for up to three alcohol interlock sentence, you are one previous drink drive conviction. had little or no understanding amendments later in this very long and years after their interlock was removed, also required to have an alcohol the new legislation, the mandatory three- While overall drink driving rates are complicated Act override that requirement month disqualification will be removed. compared with a control group of 2,796 assessment by a recognised treatment of the interlock sentencing falling, the proportion of repeat offenders if an interlock is deemed appropriate. Convicted drivers will only be disqualified offenders not installing an interlock. provider. The assumption is that, if you scheme. is increasing. In 2005, 21 percent of I had done my homework, but before until they apply for an interlock licence. For the time between conviction and really want to work on your problem and I could ask to explain the Act to the judge, interlock removal, recidivism rates for offenders had one previous conviction, The Land Transport Amendment Bill make sure you never drink and drive again, the gavel had come down and my interlock the interlock group were 81 percent and 21.33 percent had two or more. containing the changes had its first reading you’ll make sure you get the counselling was denied. lower than the comparison group and and therapy you need. In other words, the In 2014, nearly 23 percent had one previous in September 2016 and is now with the It took another six weeks and a few 21 percent lower up to three years after alcohol interlock is not a magic bullet – conviction, and nearly 26 percent had two Transport and Industrial Relations Select thousand dollars hiring a lawyer with interlock removal. These are more just one very effective tool in your struggle Committee. Exactly when the legislation or more. transport expertise – but who knew encouraging results, but it should be for redemption. will come into force is uncertain, but it The estimated net value of mandatory nothing about interlocks at the start either emphasised that this scheme was It works for me. I no longer lie awake should be this year. interlocks between 2017 and 2036 is – before I could get a sentence review voluntary, meaning participants were at night anxiously ruminating over how $620m in social costs. They are likely to and was finally successful. This lawyer So do interlocks work? more likely to be motivated not to drink I could have killed someone and worrying presented overseas research to the court and drive. save eight lives and prevent 43 serious It’s not rocket science. Interlocks work that it might happen again. My interlock about the effectiveness of interlocks and In 2006, Sheehan et al. reported on injuries per year. An average of 4,250 very well, at least while they are fitted. and the therapy I’ve enjoyed have given explained how the original judge had a Queensland interlock trial and found interlocks would be fitted per year. Overseas research* shows they me a much needed start on sober driving gotten things wrong. This was upheld, that, compared with a control group of for the rest of my life. significantly reduce drink drive and I got my interlock. offenders, interlock participants had I’m confident I’ll meet the exit criteria recidivism for those who have them So my advice to anyone wanting an fewer incidents of drink driving during when my 12 months are up, and moving installed. The news is less good, interlock sentence would be to use a the two years after the programme. to a zero alcohol licence after that will however, once they are removed. lawyer and not assume that the courts Importantly, the study also demonstrated not be a big deal. By then, not drinking Illinois-based research in 2003 will be on board, think it’s a good idea that the positive effects were not due to and driving should be second nature. (Raub, Lucke and Wark) found drivers or even know what you are asking for. legal sanctions alone, such as suspension Ultimately, however, whether it with interlocks were 80 percent less likely The good news is that all this is likely and use of the interlock, but through remains so will be up to me. to change as the government intends to to be arrested for drink driving than the combining the effects of these with comparison group during the one-year term bring in legislation this year to make educational and counselling interventions. * There aren’t yet figures available to establish the interlock sentences mandatory for anyone of the interlock fitting. Once the interlock In short, if you haven’t used your reoffending rate in New Zealand as the interlock convicted of two or more drink driving was removed, this ratio continued for up interlock year to work on your alcohol scheme has not been in place for long or had a very offences within five years as well as to one year, with the two groups reverting problem, there’s no guarantee you’ll be high uptake.

34 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 35

Drug history in new zealand

ARTICLE 05

Modern Jazz Quartet passed through. There’s Not all. In 1974, Bunny Walters (aka a story about Louis Armstrong’s 1963 tour Miha Tekokiri Waahi Walters), a widely Music when the question was asked in a croaky admired, hugely gifted singer (remembered voice, “Are there any funny cigarettes?” for Brandy) escaped jail when a traffic culture: Satchmo was reputed to be a daily smoker. officer found a cannabis roach in his Our authorities meanwhile framed ashtray. But his career was ruined. cannabis as a “sex drug”, described as “I got busted … It was only a lousy Music and Kiwi “a far greater menace than opium”. little joint but it was enough to turn things drug use The National Party newspaper Freedom around,” he recalled in 2013. “The media claimed the drug smuggled into Auckland got a hold of it; it was splashed across the made locals morally confused. “It gave papers. Today it’s not such a big deal, but the smoker supreme confidence, often a back then it was and the media certainly Redmer Yska pores through dangerous confidence, and temporarily had a field day.” the history of New Zealand [to feel] on top of the world. He casts But the tide was turning. Slowly. aside all his inhibitions and, in some In 1976, singer Tommy Adderley and song to show how its circumstances, most of the conventions.” his group Headband released I Get High celebration of drug use has But nothing could stop the demand for (On Music), with the opening line: “I had moocha or muggles bought from obliging a smoke in Auckland with a friend of moved from the secretive seamen in the public bar of Wellington’s mine in Ponsonby.” Inner city rock heroes and scandalous to the Regent Hotel, smokers heading off to Hello Sailor, meanwhile dabbling in late-night hangouts like the Pines in harder drugs, celebrated the glass designer relatively commonplace. Houghton Bay or “cool” hotbed the syringe used to administer them in the Sorrento. Picasso jazz singer Ricky May song Blue Lady. recalled, “I used to say what’s that strange Adderley, too, became addicted smell? And they’d say incense. And I to opioids, recording the coded ditty Our heady romance between illicit drugs believed them until I learned otherwise.” Mauveen (originally Morphine Blues) and popular music dates back to World By the early 1960s, cannabis or while on home leave from a jail sentence War Two as US jazz superstars sailed in to ‘pot’ was plastered on the cover of Time for selling homebake heroin. In later years, fire up 100,000 bored GIs. One wide-eyed magazine, the sacrament of an emerging the band Deja Voodoo could be franker Kiwi fan, lugging ashore the saxophone of global counterculture. Peter, Paul and about the nation’s methamphetamine a member of Artie Shaw’s band, was Mary, remembered for the song Puff the epidemic in the song simply called P. stunned when his hero asked if he had any Magic Dragon (or drag-in, as the FBI noted) An intergenerational shift showed by ‘jive’ or cannabis. toured here in 1963. Local folkies were the early 1980s as Gavin, the moustachioed Was that surprising? Though songs like stunned when the Americans openly son of divisive PM Robert Muldoon, Reefer Head Woman, Cocaine and When rolled up cannabis backstage after their lectured Young Nationals about the need to You’re a Viper (dope smoker) may have Auckland shows. update cannabis laws. They agreed it was been popular in 1930s African American The presence of cannabis in Auckland’s time: “Police have more important jobs to jazz and blues circles, this was still the notorious Bassett Road machine-gun do than worry about small time cannabis so-called ‘Reefer Madness’ era, with the double murder at the end of 1963, consumers.” FBI linking those addicted to cannabis however, appeared to confirm the old As the 20th century arrived, illicit with mass murder. Reefer Madness narratives. For Deputy drugs were boringly mainstream. The warning crackled around the world. Police Commissioner Robert Walton, As homegrown cannabis increased At a time when radio was the dominant “Marijuana is the thin edge of a revolting dramatically in strength, rap duo MC OJ medium, Kiwi broadcasting, health and wedge into the vice underground, a trade and Rhythm Slave released Marijuana, customs authorities of the 1930s vowed a that festers deep in the social flesh but telling of lurid ‘skunk’ adventures, once tough line on these worrying trends, one leaves little mark on the surface.” again in the storied lanes of Ponsonby. official stating, “Gramophone records Local musicians took cover. LSD, But the coding continued. Take Fat extolling the virtues of cocaine or other the other counterculture sacrament, Freddy’s Drop, the wildly popular dub/ dangerous drugs are a source of danger.” was quietly celebrated in song but in the reggae band, its name based on a famous But the cat was out of the bag. By the most covert way. Auckland singer Bryce counterculture cartoon Fat Freddy’s Cat, early 1950s, a reefer club was operating Peterson wrote and recorded Slightly-Delic about a stoner member of the Fabulous out of the Picasso jazz basement in with his band House of Nimrod about his Furry Freak Brothers and his weird downtown Auckland, a crew “that didn’t own ‘acid’ experience. orange tomcat. Weed is, of course, his like the alcoholic behaviour of the time”. But the stigma showed in 1967 as favourite ‘drop’. About 20 hipsters convened quietly to Auckland singer Nick Villard was vilified Looking back, the aptly named Herbs smoke what they called ‘hooch, shit of when caught with a small quantity of probably did the most to make cannabis marijuju’ bought from visiting seamen cannabis. Kiwi pop king Lee Grant urged use (almost) respectable. In his list of the or dried plants cultivated in the Domain pupils at Blockhouse Bay Intermediate Top 10 NZ Songs about Drugs, Russell from imported birdseed. to say no to drugs. It was wise advice. Brown notes that the ‘light’ in second Writer Brian Bell recalled the “smell of Auckland magistrate MC Astley sounded album Light of the Pacific was in fact REDMER burning rope backstage” at the Wellington a warning in 1968 that, “All people on “the light of the bongs”. It was a galaxy YSKA Town Hall when big-name groups like the drug charges could expect prison.” away from the days of Artie Shaw.

36 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 37 Guest editorial

Steve Hodgkins established Jobs, Friends & Houses, Lancashire, UK. e have long known history with a support structure to help in the treatment people study and transition to work they sector that want to do. addiction recovery Vanguard director Luke Terry explained is much more than that getting a long-term contract is a critical just ‘stopping use’ success factor because it is sustainable and or ‘reducing harm’. gives people the confidence to make a start. W People experiencing He found the biggest employment hurdle addiction may have co-existing issues – for people was inadequate transport, so most often depression and anxiety – as management adjusted shift times to ensure well as physical health concerns that need that people could make use of local public to be addressed. The associated shame and transport. I asked one of the employees guilt results in people becoming isolated, what he enjoyed most about his job, and purpose in life can become entrenched and he replied, “I love to be able to say in managing addiction. to the check-out chick that I’ve been at We also know it takes a long time, work all day when she asks me how my typically many years, between the onset day is.” of an addiction and the time someone In November 2016, Odyssey Café in seeks help. So when someone puts their Auckland launched a training programme hand up, the system should be ready to for 16–24-years-olds receiving support respond. Clearly, the earlier we can start through Odyssey House. Trainees spend this process with someone, the more 10–12 hours per week in the café gaining effective it is likely to be, but we have on-the-job experience and working a lot of work to do before we get to this. towards NZQA standards in food safety, There is a lot of evidence that coffee making and customer service. treatment works, and New Zealand has a Odyssey partners with Employment Photo credit: supplied proud history, at times world leading, of Photo credit: supplied Works to help find trainees longer-term providing a range of services to support work. In February this year, the first four people to address their addictions and that many more will continue to struggle, other with high-quality, safe housing – trainees graduated, having completed reduce harm from drug use in our experiencing significant barriers to from supported shared recovery houses their NZQA standards. Families have communities. We have invested in employment. They’ll remain dependent to independent flats. been quick to report on the positive Rebuilding developing high-quality services on the system and locked in an addiction- The enterprise is now managed by changes and improved confidence they supported by a well trained workforce, focused identity, albeit on the more the local council, and Steve has his sights have noticed in their young people. though reports from many communities positive end. set on a new venture to build modular A couple of years ago, Hone Pene suggest we are not keeping up with Fortunately, there are others who have affordable houses within the prison, started He Tohu Aroha Trust to provide lives, rebuilding increasing demand as people struggle challenged why people in recovery should again with a focus on giving people an a safe, holistic, recovery-focused work to access the support they seek. be limited by their earlier experiences and opportunity to obtain a trade and prepare environment for participants in the While advocating for more services others’ expectations. They’ve endeavoured for the workforce upon release. Salvation Army Bridge Programme to be available, including community- to provide people real opportunities, not Speaking with Steve and some of and Auckland’s Alcohol and Drug communities based peer support, I have recognised only to dream, but to work towards the team, it was easy for me to see how Treatment Courts. The Trust has contracts that we in the treatment sector need to realising those dreams. transformative this project has been for to supply native plants to councils to ensure we are responsive and accessible I was privileged this year to visit those directly involved and for the support clean waterways projects and So if the treatment sector gets someone into recovery is to people seeking help. Through the several people and their enterprises local community. The highly visible has a small but growing upcycling National Committee of Addiction providing supportive and recovery- JFH logo on vans and uniforms around business. As Hone says, “It’s about the job complete? Or is there more that can be done to Treatment (NCAT), a representative focused work and training environments town proudly carries the message that wrapping recovery around people for focus that recovery away from addiction and towards group of sector leaders, we are working for people with significant barriers to recovery is achievable and that everyone life, giving people purpose and a reason to reduce barriers that the system itself employment. One of those is Steve is worth the chance at a meaningful life. to get up in the morning, to contribute building a positive future? Matua Raki National has created. We are investigating access Hodgkins, a serving Police Sergeant The community has responded by to making this place better for everyone, Manager Vanessa Caldwell believes there is and reports issues including making it easier for in Lancashire, UK. Out of frustration recognising their achievements with not just themselves.” people to find services so we can improve at seeing the same people revolving awards for innovation. As word spread It has been a humbling reminder on a number of community-focused recovery initiatives our responsiveness. While I have paid through both the criminal justice system of the high quality of work and positive for me that treatment, while providing she has witnessed firsthand. much attention to supporting the and treatment, he established Jobs, Friends attitude of the workers, new work has a solid platform on which to make a development of high-quality treatment & Houses, which gives people in recovery kept coming. start at a new life, is just that – a start and improved access, I have paid less with offending histories the chance to In Australia, I visited a social towards restoring mana and wellness. attention to what happens once someone learn a trade and get a qualification. enterprise that has taken a slightly Like treatment, there is no one size fits all, leaves treatment. At the same time, they can work in a different approach. The Vanguard so providing a range of opportunities that Inadvertently, I’ve assumed that life recovery-focused environment where Laundry, under the banner “Changing seek to enhance people’s assets rather than largely takes care of itself once someone is wellness is a key objective. lives one wash at a time”, was established focus on deficits is key. Investing in people in recovery and getting well. It’s got to be As a team, these people in recovery in late 2015 and currently employs more by providing positive social connections better than before, right? For some of our have renovated homes within the than 20 people who have not been in paid and creating sustainable futures beyond VANESSA tangata whai ora who have good support, community of Blackpool, a town hard employment before. The aim of the laundry the treatment door is critical to long-term CALDWELL that will be true, but I now appreciate hit by the recession, to provide each is to provide job skills and an employment success in recovery.

38 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 39 Viewpoints

Local Alcohol Policies promised more community participation

THE CASE AGAINST

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 is A December 2016 Alcohol Healthwatch report of people either preloaded or drinking in the “And we were the only ones at hearings Has the new clearly not working in terms of community by researcher Dr Nicki Jackson (who now heads bars until 3 or 4am. There were clear signs who weren’t being paid or able to write off say, and the reason is very simple. Just about Alcohol Healthwatch) measured the progress of of intoxication and anti-social behaviour. expenses. We have to fit things around our every time a council drafts a LAP that LAP development across New Zealand’s territorial The group made successful submissions to actual employment or other commitments reflects the wishes of its communities, the authorities. It looked particularly at whether policy the Draft and Provisional LAPs, advocating for and cover our own expenses. This is a big ask industry rolls in its lawyers to tie proceedings elements became more or less restrictive as a result Act delivered? maximum trading of 1am in the Victoria Street for local residents.” up with expensive appeals until resistance of the public consultation and appeal processes. area. Of course, these provisions were appealed. Councils are also pretty open about their becomes futile. As of July 2016, there were 31 PLAPS in place. It’s not possible to go into too much detail frustration. Local Government New Zealand LAPs go through three main stages. First, Thirty of these were appealed, and more than because legal proceedings are still under way, President Lawrence Yule told us he didn’t The Sale and Supply of Alcohol a draft LAP is produced, which is open half of these appeals came from Progressive but Manthei says the appeals process has been believe the legislation has made things easier Act 2012 promised communities for submissions. Generally at this stage, Enterprises, Foodstuffs and Super Liquor Holdings. anything but user-friendly. The group participated for communities and that the appeals process increased input into local policies communities will ask for tighter regulations, No surprises there. in mediation proceedings, even though they resulted in councils almost always losing while industry submissions ask for looser around the availability of alcohol. Over the course of developing the LAPs, 165 could not see how this fitted under the Act, their position. ones to safeguard businesses, livelihoods,

It allows each council to develop THE CASE substantive policy changes were made, with and were prepared to talk and negotiate. “If you’re a small local authority facing a FOR and profits. A Provisional LAP (PLAP) is then 71 percent of these resulting in less restrictive its own Local Alcohol Policy Because appellants came with lawyers, decision that reflects a community preference produced on the basis of this feedback. (LAP), which means issues like One of the great things about the 2012 Act provisions – all from appeals. At the time of the however, the process felt very one-sided. and a large corporate with a significant legal PLAPs are then open to appeals adjudicated report, 12 LAPS had been fully adopted (as have trading hours and outlet density is that its wording represents a much more Meanwhile, licence applications continued. budget challenges you, you have to ask whether by the Alcohol Regulatory Licensing six more since the report – all under consent advanced appreciation of alcohol and its Eventually, the council agreed to a compromise the $100,000 needed to mount a fight could can be determined by communities. Authority (ARLA). orders), but not one has made it through with effects upon society. Unlike its predecessor, that would force bars to close at 1am at the be spent on a lot of other good things.” Until the Act, communities had it acknowledges that alcohol-related harm can This is where alcohol and supermarket provisions intact, which sought, for example, to northern end of the precinct (with a three-year So he says what’s tending to happen is that little control over what happened be indirect as well as direct, and it speaks of lawyers earn their big bucks, slowing LAP reduce the overall density of premises through transition period) and 3am at the southern end. councils are just falling back on the default the consequences of inappropriate (not just progress, frustrating councils and watering restricting further licences. in their neighbourhoods. VNA, the Police and the Medical Officer of Health provisions around opening hours and other excessive) drinking (section 4) – reflecting an down any policy provisions that would have The report found that the average daily duration all agreed to support or accept the amendments But as we approach five years of issues that are found in the Act. understanding that issues around alcohol made any meaningful difference. Fighting of trading hours for off-licences (now 14.9) in the spirit of compromise, even though it was “Doing anything else is way more difficult than the new legislation, Matters of harms are complex and affect communities. appeals is a lengthy and expensive process increased for both bottle stores and supermarkets not the outcome they had wanted. anybody imagined it would be.” Substance asks, “Are communities for councils, which are often significantly from the PLAP to LAP stage and that many Looking at alcohol harm in this broad way, That has not been the end of the matter, out-gunned in terms of resources. discretionary conditions (such as those allowing He thinks the legislation doesn’t really give getting that input and significantly it acknowledges the voices of communities unfortunately, as several bar owners have for one-way door policies) had been removed. ARLA the teeth it needs and that the Act contributing to their LAPS?” by enshrining their right to have a say at Meanwhile, community members find they refused to accept the 1am closing, and an needs to be tweaked to give community every stage of their council’s alcohol policy have to enter an intimidating and adversarial The report goes on to highlight just how complex appeal hearing is pending. wishes more weight. development, empowering them and opening legal environment to argue their concerns the politics around alcohol policy formulation Manthei thinks communities are quite up channels of communication. This has about the very real harms being done on can be and how progressively less restrictive Many of the experts we spoke to would agree. disadvantaged by how the Act is being interpreted helped many licensees understand how their their doorsteps. policy measures signal “an increasing gap If the National Government won’t resource HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL RESEARCH or implemented, even though she agrees the spirit businesses affect neighbourhoods. So while between community expectations … and the councils to mount a fair fight, tighter defaults But often they don’t even get this chance. of the Act is enabling for communities. She also there’s no actual case yet of a LAP being used reality of the legislated LAP process”. would be a good start. The evidence is so strong A four-year Health Research Council Many councils choose instead to avoid said some of the hospitality people she has met to stop a licence, a lot of applications are being that a lot of these decisions could have been project, led by University of Otago expensive hearings and negotiate directly The adventures of the Victoria Neighbourhood with appreciate this. The assumption still seems withdrawn once the licensee understands the made nationally – things like a freeze on the researcher Dr Brett MacLennan, is with industry appellants under what is Association (VNA) demonstrate just how to be, though, that a licence will be granted depth of community feeling and that local total number of off-licences, banning off-licences now entering its final year. Its aim is to known as a consent order. These negotiations difficult things can be for community members. unless the community proves it shouldn’t be residents have a right to speak up. within 500 metres of a school and shorter evaluate the effectiveness of the Sale are only between the council and the VNA represents concerned residents in central or that there should be conditions imposed – trading hours. and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 in: Granted, it isn’t always easy for communities appellant, so community members often Christchurch who live on the edge of the city’s and this requires detailed evidence that can ■■ improving local input into to get what they want, and perhaps it shouldn’t don’t have any direct input. The negotiations newly designated entertainment precinct. be difficult to collect. In the meantime, the LAP provisions of the Act licensing decisions be. It’s not wrong to derive your income from are also conducted behind closed doors, so are manifestly failing and simply wasting the Christchurch, by the way, would be a contender She says the process is time consuming and running an alcohol outlet, and if a fit and matters that are very much of community time and resources of councils and communities ■■ reducing the availability of alcohol for the most long and drawn-out LAP development often ineffective – and that it just goes on and proper person is to be denied that right, there interest don’t see the light of day until deals with legitimate concerns. ■■ reducing hazardous drinking process so far. Submissions were first called on the on to the point where she feels like she’s trapped should be good and demonstrable reasons. have been done. and alcohol-related harm in draft LAP in May 2013. Nearly four years later, its in Groundhog Day. RESOURCE It is beyond doubt that industry appeals are status remains provisional with no clear end in sight. New Zealand communities. Though it has been nearly five years, the Act is “One thing we had to face was that, once we got rife and effective. ARLA’s 2016 annual report The uptake and development of Local still in its relative infancy. There are examples VNA spokesperson Marjorie Manthei says many involved, we had to see it to the end. That meant A review of Territorial Authority progress towards says there has been a significant decrease in Alcohol Policies will be a prominent feature where LAPs have included measures to curtail new bars opened in the area when it became one engaging in all the related processes as well, from Local Alcohol Policy development is available on of this comprehensive study, as will be how local alcohol harm, and it may well be that its workload except for in one area – “appeals of the few entertainment centres operating after objecting to individual licences to involvement the Alcohol Healthwatch website. communities are being consulted by local this will increase as community members and against provisional alcohol policies”. These the quakes. With the bars came regular late-night in the PLAP and even at resource consent level. government and what communities other parties gain a better understanding of rose 69 percent from 39 appeals in 2015 to disturbances of the peace lasting into the wee All the processes are so interrelated that you themselves are saying about this. what the Act can do. 66 in 2016. small hours. She says the streets were soon full can’t cherry pick. It feels like a life sentence. A series of results papers is due for publication in early to mid-2018.

40 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 41 Opinion

Values connect to the We need to start talking Talking about drug law heart as well as the head, more urgently about steps reform might also help to get and it is values that shift we can take to reduce our young people more engaged people’s minds. prison population – to start in politics at a time when a process American political many of them are put off by activist Angela Davis calls its petty, inconsequential ‘decarceration’. squabbling ...

Values-based politics and

drug law reform of what is politically possible at any point punch above our weight internationally effects for offenders, victims and the in time. I argue that our Overton window in prison policy is in how punitive we are. general public. And the evidence in New Zealand has become very small That is nothing to be proud of, and inside supports these anecdotal reports. Photo credit: Andrew Dean and that we need to widen it – and fling our prisons, we see suicides and violence There are some limited problem- open our imaginations – in order to have all too often. Prisons, at least in their current solving courts in New Zealand, including big debates about our country’s future. form, embody a failure of the value of care. drug courts. Why couldn’t a greater In his recent book The New Zealand Project, young author One of the casualties of our small Overton We need to start talking more urgently number of people convicted of drug window is debate about drug law reform, about steps we can take to reduce our offences (if we must keep convicting Max Harris proposes transforming our political process so which has largely been off the agenda prison population – to start a process that them) be channelled towards these that it is based on values and focused on truly positive for politicians who are too timid to have American writer and advocate Angela Davis courts and their rehabilitation services a proper debate about whether our calls ‘decarceration’. Drug law reform is instead of towards prison? These courts outcomes. Here, he applies that thesis to drug law reform, approach to drug law is the right one. one step that deserves consideration since give people continuity of care and contact. which, he implies, would be an excellent area in which to MAX At the moment, drugs are treated partly – as criminal law academic Khylee Quince In the same way doctors follow up HARRIS as a health issue, when those who have has said – around half of the people in with us once they provide us with care, make a start. bad experiences with drugs (like those prison are there for property or drug judges in problem-solving courts stay in who have bad experiences with alcohol) offending. Specific moves to investigate contact and don’t just abandon the people end up in hospital. But should drugs be could include legalising cannabis, they sentence. They also help to build tackled more wholeheartedly as a health something Canada’s Liberal Government positive relationships and keep people n 2014, I had a I ended up undergoing the surgery, society at large, especially since economic challenge? What is the best starting point has done. out of prison. significant health I was also told I’d received an unusual reforms of the late 1980s and early 1990s. for regulating drugs, given that it’s almost Problem-solving courts could also We need to have a national scare. I was told Fellowship at Oxford that would fund me In the book, I call for values to be made inevitable that drugs will be used by some be used to greater effect in place of conversation about some of these out of the blue that for seven years to do any kind of research more central in parliamentary and activist people in our community? How best should imprisonment if we must keep some drug ideas and more. Talking about drug I had an aneurysm or writing. This strange combination of politics. Values connect to the heart as we manage different drugs in light of laws on our books. Problem-solving courts law reform might also help to get in my aorta, the events led me to write The New Zealand well as the head, and it is values that available evidence about brain development supervise the structured rehabilitation young people more engaged in politics blood vessel that Project, which has just been published by shift people’s minds. In particular, I call and health effects? These are the questions of offenders after sentence. Offenders at a time when many of them are put off I carries oxygen Bridget Williams Books. And the argument for a politics grounded in care, community we should be spending more time on. maintain contact with their judges by its petty, inconsequential squabbling from your heart to the rest of your body. of that book is relevant to drug law reform. and creativity. I also float the idea of a But we can’t have the debate properly, (usually the same judge that sentenced and crushing cynicism. An aneurysm’s an expanded blood vessel It’s about the need for a reassertion ‘politics of love’, which seeks to secure in politics or as a wider society, if them), report on their progress and Evidence-based policy is essential, that is at high risk of tearing, and I was of a values-based politics in Aotearoa love in outcomes. Then I apply this politicians won’t touch the topic. are affirmed when they complete but we mustn’t forget values. And a told I’d need urgent open heart surgery. New Zealand. Values – principles we values-based approach to a range of The second connection between drug successful rehabilitation. politics that is based on both evidence Soon after that, I was told (having led a hold dear that contribute to a life well specific issues in fields such as climate law reform and the book relates to mass In 2012, I met Judge Peggy Hora, a and values would, in my view, take us pretty healthy life for my 26 years) that led – have been crowded out of politics, change and social policy. incarceration. Per capita, we imprison leading proponent of problem-solving towards a much-needed debate about I had a connective tissue disorder that especially in recent years. Values have I don’t discuss drug law reform in 30 percent more people than Australia, courts, who successfully managed such drug law reform. might give me problems in the future. been crowded out by politics becoming detail in the book, but I think it’s a crucial 45 percent more than the UK and 84 percent courts in California. In 2013, I spent a What’s all this got to do with the technocratic – a numbers game that is issue that politicians ought to debate – and more than Canada, according to figures morning in the Red Hook Community Wellington-raised Max Harris was just 26 Drug Foundation? the preserve of experts. They’ve also it is connected to the argument of the book from the International Centre for Prison Court, one of the world’s most successful when he was elected to the All Souls Prize When I got this worrying news, I decided been crowded out by the loss of any in several significant ways. Studies. Mäori make up 56 percent of our problem-solving courts in New York. Fellowship at Oxford University in 2014. I wanted to do everything as if it was the general direction in politics and the rise In political science, there’s this concept prison population, a figure that reached an Judge Hora and the Red Hook judge and He currently resides in Oxford. last thing I’d ever do. Just a week before of selfishness and self-interestedness in called the ‘Overton window’ – the window all-time high this year. The only way we staff spoke glowingly of the court’s positive

42 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 43 News extra Q & A

they love who has an addiction problem solve the problems of drug use. – felt that the different frames for talking Compassionate policies are not a magic about addiction has helped them in bullet – there are still problems – but Corrections must their lives. everywhere they move beyond the Drug Hearing it explained that the addiction War, they’ve seen a significant reduction in is an understandable reaction to human these problems. do more to reduce distress and that the solution is to deal We have to look at the evidence. Policies with the underlying reasons why they’re based on shame and stigma and distressed, that really helps people. transferring drugs to criminals don’t work. I think it also helps the 90% of people Policies based on love and compassion and Māori reoffending who use current illegal drugs who don’t regulating the drug market have radically become addicted to have a story for better success rates. themselves, right? Because they are, like, The Waitangi Tribunal’s (Wai 2540) Tu¯ Mai te Rangi! report on disproportionate everyone kept telling me, “Oh my god, you Q What is happening in places like Colorado? must not use this drug, you’re going to A No one should overstate our knowledge reoffending rates for Ma¯ori was released in April. The report is in response to a become addicted,” but they never have of the results, but there are a few things we claim by former Corrections officer Tom Hemopo that the Crown has breached become addicted. do know. Since cannabis was legalised in its Treaty of Waitangi obligations by failing to address the high rates of Ma¯ori The core of addiction is about not wanting Colorado, support has significantly to be present in your life because your life increased for legal cannabis after people reoffending and reimprisonment. is too painful a place to be. We talk all the have seen it in practice. Teenage drug use time in addiction about individual has remained steady and remains lower Johann recovery, and there’s real value in that, but than the US national average, significant we need to talk much more about social sums of money have been raised in he Drug Foundation rehabilitation and reintegration of integrated into a broader strategic recovery. Something’s gone wrong with us, taxation for good purposes and there backs this claim offenders. For whänau and häpu, Mäori vision guided by a clear commitment not just as individuals but as a group. appears to have not been a significant and the Tribunal’s offenders are husbands, wives, parents, to Treaty principles.” Hari During the run-up to the US election last increase in problems associated with year, I spent time in Ohio – the former Rust cannabis. condemnation tamariki and mokopuna removed from The Tribunal recommends that the Crown: of the “grossly their communities. Belt. When you talk to people who’ve lost We’ve also learned some negative lessons. ■■ gives the Mäori Advisory Board disproportionate, “As we see it, rangatiratanga demands British journalist Johann everything that gives life meaning, they are I don’t think commercialised packaged more influence, including that it decades-long, and that Mäori be substantially involved profoundly disoriented. They have edibles are a good idea, especially not ones should co-design the Department’s Hari’s book Chasing the T increasing Mäori in matters affecting them … Mäori super-high addiction rates and super-high with little cartoon characters on them. But rehabilitative and reintegrative overrepresentation in the nation’s prisons”, have a clear interest in the process by Scream: The First and suicide rates. The addiction crisis is one the good thing about a legal regulated programmes operating within a which it said was a “devastating situation which Mäori reoffending is reduced, manifestation of that. On top of that, you market is we can change the regulations. Mäori-focused strategic framework Last Days of the War on have a terrible drug policy that makes the for Mäori, and for the nation”. We agree particularly the use of Mäori to support Let me stress again, the Colorado option is ■■ designs and implements a revised problem worse by punishing people. there is a growing threat to Mäori culture a culturally relevant approach. This Drugs (2015) is still being radically better than what we have now. strategy in partnership with the presented by the normalisation of Mäori is consistent with the rangatiratanga Q Should we still keep an eye on Portugal? Even so, I would prefer the Spanish system Mäori Advisory Board widely read around the reoffending and reimprisonment rates. right of Mäori to ensure that tikanga is of not-for-profit cooperatives that can’t ■■ commits to a measureable, data-driven, A The Portuguese experiment is really Our criminal justice system has been followed appropriately and under the globe. Q&A asked the advertise and don’t promote and don’t go Mäori-specific target in order to hold remarkable, which is why I talk so much failing Mäori for decades, and we’re not correct authority in the rehabilitation about it in the book. When you make the down a highly commercialised route. itself accountable for reducing Mäori award-winning author seeing any sign of improvement despite and reintegration of Mäori offenders.” argument for reform, people often start reoffending rates within reasonable Q Looking forward, where are things heading? reports over decades highlighting these Further to this, the report finds that the for a quick update. asking perfectly reasonable questions like, timeframes and that it regularly and failures. We endorse the Tribunal’s Crown, by failing to make an appropriately “How would that work?”, “What does that A Every democratic politician in the world publicly reports on the progress recommendations and recognise that resourced, long-term strategic commitment mean?” And very often, people get diverted is constantly making calculations: “If I take minor drug-related offending is a to reducing Mäori reoffending, has not made towards meeting this target into a weirdly abstract argument, like we’re this decision, how much praise will I get significant driver behind the high sufficiently prioritised the protection of ■■ has a dedicated budget to ensure a a philosophy seminar. And I always say and how much shit will I get?” At the number of Mäori entering the criminal Mäori interests or appropriately targeted renewed Mäori-specific strategic focus to people, “No, no. This isn’t an abstract moment, if you do the right thing on drug Q Remind us what you covered in Chasing the justice system. the reduction of Mäori reoffending rates and that the target and programmes question.” policy, you get a little bit of praise and a that fall under this are adequately Scream. The report says the disproportionate in line with that of non-Mäori. I’ve been to the places that have the whole lot of shit. But we can change that A One of my earliest memories is trying to rate of Mäori reoffending prejudicially The report sees an urgent need for a resourced – the allocation of the budget toughest possible policies. I’ve been to balance of calculations. wake up one of my relatives and not being affects whänau, hapü and iwi and the new and improved Mäori-specific long- should be a matter for discussion Vietnam where they make drug users go able to. I wanted to understand why we I’ve seen that balance of calculations ability of Mäori communities to sustain term vision and strategic commitment to between the Department of Corrections into gulags. I’ve been to Arizona where have a War on Drugs and what the change in my lifetime on gay marriage. their wellbeing, culture and mana. This coordinating Department of Corrections and the enhanced Mäori Advisory Board people convicted of drug crime wear alternatives are, so I went on a 30,000 mile I didn’t even hear the concept of gay prejudice affects those far beyond the programmes and resources to substantially ■■ provides appropriate resourcing for t-shirts saying “I was a drug addict” while journey to over 17 different countries and marriage until I was about 19, and look offenders and reoffenders themselves. reduce Mäori reoffending. It says this senior-level Corrections staff to receive members of the public mock them. And realised that everything we think we know how widely accepted it is now. It suggests up to 10,000 Mäori children needs to be a top priority in and of itself, advice and training in incorporating I’ve been to the places that have the most about drugs, about addiction and about the I went to Colorado, and I saw the first legal have a parent in prison, which presents a not simply included within a general goal. mätauranga Mäori and the Crown’s compassionate drug policies, and we can War on Drugs is wrong. cannabis shop open. I thought, this is the grave risk that the impacts of reoffending “We consider that in this situation, Treaty obligations into the Department’s see how they work. first act in the end of the Drug War. And will reverberate through the generations, where Mäori interests are so threatened, high-level practice and operations Q What has been the response since the book From these different experiments and it’s up to us how quickly we tear it down. creating a destructive cycle. consultation with Mäori in the design ■■ amends the Corrections Act 2004 was published? methods, the results are very, very clear. The report affirms Mäori have a definite of high-level Department strategies to to state the Crown’s relevant Treaty A What has been most moving is hearing Irrespective of what you think of the ethics RESOURCE interest in the safety and wellbeing of their reduce the disproportionate rate of Mäori obligations to Mäori as addressed in how many people – either with an of them, the Drug War produces more own communities through the successful reoffending is essential. These must be the report. addiction problem or who have someone violence and more addiction and does not chasingthescream.com

44 matters of substance July 17 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 45 Website [re]launch

The reboot of drugfoundation.org.nz Scrape below the surface and you’ll find is about more than a lick of paint. Sure, the most substantial changes. New and the masthead has changed and there refreshed drug information pages now are many more visuals. And it is easier focus on #harmreduction. And renewed to navigate your way around. And search policy pages clearly set out where we Check out the difference: runs on a whole new engine. stand. And much more. drugfoundation.org.nz