Giving it a BERL Beating the breathalyser Individual or industry responsibility? What a mess in Mexico August 2009

Alcohol in our lives With stage one of its liquor review complete, the Law Commission has released a discussion paper outlining New Zealand’s alcohol problems and posing key questions for public debate. But just how much can we rely on law to change our drinking culture? Contents

matters of substance August 2009 Features Vol 19 No 3 ISSN 1177-200X 02 Cover Story 20 Mythbusters 41 Mythbusters matters of substance is published by the Alcohol in our lives Busting alcohol Blown away: Defeating NZ Drug Foundation. All rights reserved. Travelling to a better place policy myths the breathalyser Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced without prior We take a look at various permission of the NZ Drug Foundation. theories on how to mask your alcoholic breath when matters of substance invites feedback you’re asked to blow in and contributions. If you’re interested in contributing a guest editorial or article, the bag. please first contact us: [email protected] p +64 4 801 6303 News The Law Commission has In this Mythbusters special, Brand development/graphic design 01 Key Events and Dates Origin Design +64 4 801 6644 spent the last year gathering we counter some of the [email protected] information about the current myths about alcohol What’s on for AOD workers www.origindesign.co.nz extent of New Zealand’s policy, by seeing what the from now till the end of alcohol problems. Stage one evidence really says. the year. NZ Drug Foundation of its liquor review is now 3rd Floor, 111 Dixon Street 31 New Zealand News PO Box 3082, Wellington, New Zealand complete, and it’s time for 25 Making sense of Mexico’s p +64 4 801 6303 public debate on potential drug wars solutions. When you have finished with Counting the cost: The this magazine, please recycle it. BERL report has put the social cost of alcohol and drug misuse at nearly Become a member $7b per annum, but there NZPA/Andrew Labett NZPA/Andrew The NZ Drug Foundation has been are those who say the at the heart of major alcohol and report has got things What’s been happening other drug policy debates for over terribly wrong. Sanji Gunesekara writes about in local news, from rollies 20 years. During that time, we have Tackling sport’s alcohol the political, economic and and research through to demonstrated a strong commitment culture: New Zealanders social background to Mexico’s medicinal marijuana. to advocating policies and practices play hard, and all too violent and bloody drug wars. based on the best evidence available. World News often they drink hard. 36 Can anything be done You can help us. A key strength of the Regulars NZ Drug Foundation lies in its diverse to mend our boozy membership base. As a member of the sporting ways? NZ Drug Foundation, you will receive It’s our loss: 01 The Director’s Cut information about major alcohol and The Law Commission’s liquor other drug policy challenges. You can also Lianne Dalziel on what get involved in our work to find solutions the Liquor Licensing review presents a wonderful to those challenges. Authority said about opportunity for constructive loss-leading debate. It’s time for Our membership includes health New Zealand to get talking. Binary highs, Aussie rugby promoters, primary health and 17 Opinion league fairies, and nice community organisations, researchers, Guest Editorial people taking drugs. students, schools and boards of trustees, It’s time for the facts to get 23 policy makers, and addiction treatment in the way of a good story Let’s offer treatment! These stories and more agencies and workers. Michael Bird challenges are covered here. the treatment sector to Membership and subscription enquiries Quotes of Substance stop its navel gazing and [email protected] People keep saying stuff or visit our website. start moving forward. He presents a 12-point plan about drugs. Some of it’s to get things underway. sensible, some of it’s silly www.drugfoundation.org.nz and some of it’s just 29 Research Update plain strange. Liz Read, Corporate Affairs Driving High: Findings from Director of Lion Nathan, the Great New Zealand says it’s wrong to blame Drug-Driving Survey the alcohol industry for The results are in. What do New Zealand’s binge Kiwis think they know about drinking woes. drugs and driving? matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The Director’s Cut Key Events and Dates

Research and Values: Australian Drugs Conference The underpinnings of 1–2 October, Melbourne, Australia public health practice The Australian Drugs Conference – 1–4 September, Dunedin Drugs in Hard Times – will look at The annual Public Health Association the effects of tough economic conference. conditions with a focus on the www.pha.org.nz current drug policy climate and our ability to save lives and build resilience. National Cannabis Conference 7–8 September, Sydney, Australia www.australiandrugsconference. org.au The stakes are high across the solutions to fix our shameful The National Cannabis Prevention board as a result of the Law drinking culture. and Information Centre will be Commission’s liquor review. The industry (broadly convening the first Australian Oceania Tobacco Control 09 For the producers and sellers defined) needs to end its National Cannabis Conference 4–7 October, Darwin, Australia of alcohol, there’s the pressing mischief making; its commodity in 2009. Hosted by Cancer Council Northern need to protect their bottom www.ncpic.org.au Territory, the conference theme is of trade is not an ordinary one ‘Reducing Inequality through line; for society, there’s the and cannot be treated as such. Tobacco Control’. This is the peak SPINZ Symposium urgent need to reverse an Supermarkets cannot expect to tobacco control conference, 10–11 September, Wellington increasingly dangerous drinking be given the right to sell spirits. attracting delegates from Australia, culture; for politicians, there’s Producers must show greater The SPINZ Symposium coincides New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. with World Suicide Prevention Day an important opportunity to www.oceaniatc2009.org responsibility about the types on 10 September. This year’s theme step up and show leadership of products they make and is ‘Culture and Suicide Prevention in a contentious and complex how they are marketed. in Aotearoa’. It has been chosen Alcohol Interlock Symposium debate. The hospitality sector needs because, though suicide rates among 25–28 October, Melbourne, This review is a fantastic to shut up about ‘nanny state Mäori have declined, they have not Australia chance for New Zealand to interventionism’ and get on matched downward trends in the The theme for the event is ‘Knowledge Transfer: Taking Research advance towards better law with demonstrating good general population. and regulation over its most www.spinz.org.nz to Practice’ to encourage and hosting practice. support the implementation of popular but damaging drug. Public health advocates – evidence-based practices. 2009 Cutting Edge: Most of us agree the who are confident about the Our place, our future www.interlocksymposium.com liberalisation of liquor laws evidence around effective law over the last 20 years hasn’t 10–12 September, Wellington and regulation (and I count APSAD 2009 Conference quite worked out as planned. The annual New Zealand addiction the Drug Foundation in this 1–4 November, Darwin, Australia In fact, the architect of current treatment sector conference. group) – have a responsibility The Australian Professional Society laws, Sir Geoffrey Palmer www.cmsl.co.nz to clearly articulate this to the on Alcohol and other Drugs (then Minister of Justice, community. Yes, we should conference promotes the use of now president of the Law Australasian HIV/AIDS best practice approaches in the raise awareness of the health Commission) said exactly that Conference prevention, early intervention and and social harms from 9–12 September, Brisbane, Australia to the recent ALAC conference: treatment of alcohol and other alcohol, but in a constructive The 21st Annual Conference for “Things did not turn out quite drug problems. not strident way. the Australasian Society for HIV www.apsadconference.com.au the way we thought in 1989.” Medicine will be held back to back Just as the designers of It’s true that laws and regulations cannot, in with the 2009 Australasian Sexual global prohibition didn’t Health Conference. The conference International Drug Policy anticipate the massive criminal themselves, change culture, brings together the range of Reform Conference black market, neither did the but they can go a long way disciplines involved in HIV 11–14 November, Albuquerque, New Mexico Laking Review reckon on the towards shaping attitudes management including basic science, and behaviours (witness clinical medicine, community This will be an international significant harms to young gathering of people who believe the people and the widespread the rising harms resulting programmes, education, epidemiology and many more. war on drugs is doing more harm social costs that would result from increased commercial www.hivaidsconference.com.au than good. The conference will from the Sale of Liquor Act liberalism). Changes proposed provide opportunities to learn and 1989. This does not excuse in the review will help discuss alternative drug policy Australian Therapeutic the additional liberalisation fast-track cultural change, options around the globe and Communities Association in 1999; the authors of those which is what has occurred strategise for reform. with tobacco (remember when Conference www.drugpolicyevent.org changes had clear evidence 14–16 September, Canberra, Australia you could smoke on planes?). of the harm of a liberalised The focus of the 2009 conference is Publicise your own event on our alcohol environment. And Ultimately, this review on evidence-based practice within today, we have even better needs New Zealand the therapeutic community and new-look website evidence about the harms from communities to don the other settings in which we work. www.drugfoundation.org.nz/events alcohol and the ways we can mantle for change – not The conference themes are minimise them. industry and not the pointy co-morbidity, indigenous cultural The Law Commission heads. In the end, it’s the issues, families, youth and correctional settings. review provides a wonderful public’s voice the politicians www.atca.com.au opportunity for the contest of will take most notice of. ideas about the most effective Happy reading, Ross Bell. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 01 Cover Story

Last year, the Labour Government asked the Law Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of New Zealand’s liquor laws to bring them into line with current behaviours and concerns. The Law Commission released its first public discussion paper, Alcohol in our Lives, on 30 July, and Law Commission President Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer SC spoke with the Drug Foundation about the review’s progress and preliminary findings.

A police officer stands guard outside a liquor store in the suburb of Takanini after the owner was shot by an armed intruder. Phil Walter/Getty Images Walter/Getty Phil

02 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 03 What we need is for people whose own choices are driving what is happening out there to internalise these problems and modify their behaviour. NZPA/Ross Setford NZPA/Ross

A lot has changed since the introduction adult New Zealanders engage in binge of the Sale of Liquor Act in 1989. Back drinking? Why do 20,000 of us each year then, we didn’t have the sophisticated get taken home in a drunken state by environment for restaurants and cafés we police or spend the night sleeping it have now. And while the proliferation off in a cell? of places to drink has had enormous Preliminary consultations have taken benefits in terms of tourism and public place with key stakeholders such as the enjoyment, it seems also to have liquor industry, the addiction treatment contributed, at least in some measure, sector, police and researchers. to the increased amount of alcohol we’re Sir Geoffrey says, “One of the consuming and the mounting social and difficulties is that this problem has health harms that result. many different facets. The health effects At the time of its launch, Associate of alcohol, for example, are probably Justice Minister Lianne Dalziel said the worse than the general public realise. review would be wide-ranging and The World Health Organization has fundamental, and the terms of reference characterised alcohol as carcinogenic given to the Law Commission were to humans, and I am sure many extremely broad. Rather than a patching New Zealanders don’t know that. up of existing liquor laws, this would The medical colleges tell us we should be a ‘first principles’ rewrite of pay attention to these health effects, New Zealand’s alcohol legislation because they are serious. and policy framework. “There’s also the public order Much of the work so far, Sir Geoffrey question. How can we prevent the told us, has centred on recognising what problems that are brought on by the problem is. Why is it that 700,000 excessive consumption of alcohol from

04 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The liquor review process

The Law Commission released its liquor flowing through into criminal offending, As part of its consultation with review report last month and is seeking where undoubtedly they do flow into, stakeholders, Law Commission members public submissions until 30 October 2009. if left unchecked? There is a whole have accompanied the police at night as question about how the night-time they patrol difficult areas. It’s allowed A final report taking account of public submissions will be presented to culture in New Zealand is organised them to witness firsthand just how the Government in March 2010. and how people behave in it. problems are manifesting. “Then there’s the question of how The night he went out, he saw The Government is expected to introduce people drink. Do they know the effects frequent fights, 17 arrests and a badly draft law during 2010, with an aim to pass the law by the end of that year. of what they are drinking? Do they know injured person too drunk to remember how much it is safe to drink? Do they how he had been hurt. The Law Commission has already signalled know the alcoholic content of what they He says we’re in danger of losing our some of their preferences for change, are drinking?” dignity as a society. including: Alcohol in our Lives also contains “There is a developing habit of ■■ only people aged 20 and over can buy key policy options under consideration people drinking to get drunk. Then they alcohol at off-licences that could underscore legislation to help throw up in disgusting circumstances, ■■ bars and clubs to stop selling alcohol address these concerns. The public and and their mates take pictures of them at 2am, with some extensions to 4am all alcohol stakeholder groups are now and put them on YouTube as if it’s some for those with a one-way door policy invited to provide feedback on those sort of right of passage to be admired. options to inform the Commission’s ■■ powers for police to immediately close Well, we’ve always had youth problems bars and clubs that breach liquor laws final report, which will be released in with liquor – that’s nothing new – 2010 and make recommendations to ■■ widening the grounds upon which a but what’s going on now seems to be the Government. It will also contain liquor licence can be cancelled behaviour of a sort that is actually draft legislation different from what it used to be, ■■ giving greater regard to community However, Sir Geoffrey is quick to and it’s a worrying trend. concerns in granting a licence point out that we should not put all our “When you go through these places ■■ allowing the Liquor Licensing trust in law. at 10 o’clock at night, everything looks Authority to impose additional “The law can’t change the drinking orderly and wonderful and the great conditions on a licence for the purpose culture by itself. It can nudge it towards middle class goes home to sleep. But by of reducing liquor-related harm a more responsible direction, but what 2 o’clock in the morning, it’s a zoo out ■■ increasing excise tax we need is for people whose own there, it really is.” choices are driving what is happening ■■ lowering excise tax on low-alcohol drinks Sir Geoffrey believes the problems out there to internalise these problems really are worsening and that it’s not just ■■ powers for Government to ban some and modify their behaviour.” drinks on health grounds. And Sir Geoffrey has seen what is that we have better understanding or happening out there. reporting of what is happening. He says For more information excessive drinking is an issue for men Visit the Law Commission’s and women equally and that a new website for the report: generation is now engaging in it with www.lawcom.govt.nz serious consequences. Register and have your say through the At 10 o’clock at night, “People need to think about how Law Commission’s online consultation site: everything looks orderly they are introducing their children to www.talklaw.co.nz alcohol. They have to think what the and wonderful and the great For further information about the review, middle class go home to effects of them as role models are. They current alcohol policy evidence and ways sleep. But by 2 o’clock in the have to think about parenting and about to get involved, visit the Drug a whole range of things that they tend Foundation’s liquor review page: morning, it’s a zoo out there, not to be thinking about, I’m afraid. www.drugfoundation.org.nz/ it really is. Children learn by example, and some liquor-review of the examples are not good.” www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 05 He also says that, as a society, we minimise harms resulting from excessive aren’t equipped to deal with the alcohol consumption, but the Law Commission problem. He talks of huge gaps in addiction realises there is a lot of controversy over interventions in New Zealand and says how far that tax can be pushed. there is a dramatic lack of co-ordinated No less controversial is the matter of effort in the treatment area that needs to advertising. Does advertising increase be addressed. consumption, or is it merely aimed at “District Court judges have told us preserving market share for brands, there are no facilities to which they can as is contended by the alcohol industry? send repeat drunk-drivers. There are no It’s a contentious issue, says Sir Geoffrey, facilities for short interventions, which because the research isn’t entirely clear, are often needed for the person to own and important free speech issues are their own problem. Long-term treatment involved. facilities are very scarce and quite badly “Businesses, like anyone else, have distributed, so far as the public is the freedom to impart their information, concerned.” and that freedom is protected by the law. So the question is whether there need to be further controls on advertising than those that currently exist and, if so, There is no point in trying to what they should be.” demonise the alcohol industry. He also points out the benefits the That industry responds to alcohol industry has brought to public demand, and it is the New Zealand in that it employs a lot of people and makes a significant public that is responsible, contribution to export earnings. He says not the industry. the industry has been extremely obliging with the Law Commission by helping it Oli Scarff/Getty Images Oli Scarff/Getty understand the dynamics of the market Ex-pats in London celebrate and how its advertising works. Waitangi Day in typical fashion. He concedes, however, that “There is no point in trying to improving treatment options is another demonise the alcohol industry. That area where the law can’t wave a magic industry responds to public demand, wand and get rid of troubles overnight. So, if legislation can’t work miracles and it is the public that is responsible, or radically change our drinking culture, not the industry. While there have to be what role can it play? curbs, we have to be sure we don’t throw Sir Geoffrey says the law can regulate. the baby out with the bathwater.” It can control who gets a licence and Greater enforcement options have when, where and what they can sell. also been suggested as potential In doing so, it can make a significant solutions. These include reducing the contribution to change. blood alcohol content limit for drivers to There are a few legislative levers .05, as they have done in Australia, and available, and the first of these is raising introducing spot fines for people drunk the price of alcohol, which, the evidence in a public place. suggests, will lead to decreased “This would mean people who have consumption. The Law Commission is to be taken home by the police are keeping a close eye on Scotland, where actually paying something for that, a minimum price per unit of alcohol is because, at the moment, the police are being investigated. This may help solve operating an enormous free taxi service a lot of the problems associated with all round New Zealand.” young people and drinking, he says. While there is evidence that lowering The other option to raise alcohol the drinking age to 18 has had some prices is by increasing the excise tax, adverse effects, particularly amongst which currently yields more than young people in already vulnerable $800 million a year in New Zealand. groups such as Mäori and Pacific Island The primary purpose of that tax is to communities, he acknowledges that, in

06 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz terms of public policy, this will be a hard genie to get back into the bottle. Perhaps some form of compromise is possible. “We will be suggesting that a split

age might be acceptable so that at 18 you Setford NZPA/Ross can drink at supervised and licensed premises but you can’t buy from off-licences until you’re 20.” The Law Commission is critical of the current Sale of Liquor Act, which allows pretty much anyone to gain a licence to sell alcohol as long as they can prove they are of good character and will comply with local resource consents. Sir Geoffrey says the Act was set up

in 1989 under the hypothesis that the Sea&See/Kos Source/Getty Picture Images amount of licences granted has no impact on consumption. “There needs to be a wider but Prohibition was designed specific group of grounds upon which to remove the harms from a licence can be denied. There has been alcohol. It probably did 20 years of research since the Act came improve people’s health, into place, and our view now is that, in some circumstances, on some occasions, but it was not accepted by in some neighbourhoods, it does make the public. It induced an a difference to consumption.” enormous criminal industry, He personally favours continuing and you’d never want to go with the Liquor Licensing Authority, down that road again. but thinks the scope of its powers needs revisiting to give local communities a greater say in what happens with liquor outlets in their neighbourhoods. So, having specified what it admits are difficult issues and controversial potential solutions, the Law Commission is now in listening mode. “We’ve reached the end of the first half of the review, which was, ‘What is the problem? What are the possible solutions? What is the relevant information?’ We now hand that over Smith NZPA/Cullen to the public so we can get back views, submissions and careful analysis, and so we can get both popular and expert opinion,” Sir Geoffrey says. He cites prohibition as an example of why it is so important that the public is heavily involved in the debate about liquor laws. “Public policy has to be generated by the public. You can’t pass laws that are unacceptable and that people will scoff at. Prohibition in the United States was designed to remove the harms from www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 07 alcohol. It probably did improve that new legislation – whatever form it people’s health, but it was not accepted takes – should not be seen as the end of by the public. It induced an enormous the road. Though this will be a lengthy criminal industry, and you’d never want and thorough review, it is still one to go down that road again.” fraught with difficulties. To facilitate public feedback, the “Finding the right balance between Law Commission will use a variety of freedom and responsibility is like means. One is the ‘Talk Law’ website walking a tightrope. You can fall off very where visitors can download a copy of quickly if what you are proposing isn’t Alcohol in our Lives, participate in forum acceptable to the public. It will take a discussions, answer quick surveys and long time to change the culture. I think send in online submissions or comments. in some ways this needs to be seen as a The Law Commission has been at milestone on a journey. pains to write the report in accessible “We need to be optimistic. We’re language so both the media and the travelling to a better place – we haven’t public can understand and debate what got there yet, but we could.” it says without needing specialist knowledge or skills. The Commission will also be meeting face to face with individuals and interest groups around New Zealand to discuss the issues it has raised before it formulates its final recommendations to the Government in a final report in March 2010. Depending on Government decisions, it should then be possible to introduce a Bill to Parliament before the end of 2010. But, according to Sir Geoffrey, even

On your conscience

In their first report to Parliament on the will produce laws that are more consistent likely to result from the Law Commission Review of Regulatory Framework for the Sale and durable.” review.” – Metiria Turei, Co-leader. and Supply of Liquor, the Law Commission In response to this, the Drug Foundation suggested that political parties end the practice Mäori invited all political parties to declare whether of conscience voting on liquor legislation “The Mäori Party has always suggested they will agree to the Commission’s there should be a variety of strategies, both It argues that removing conscience voting suggestion. Here’s what they said: legislative and non-legislative, to reduce the would encourage parties to have clearly National overall supply of alcohol to young people to defined alcohol policies for voters to consider, limit their drinking and its associated harms. while facilitating greater policy accountability No response. to the electorate, and would remove “We have consistently voted along the lines unpredictability in making effective alcohol law. Labour of kaupapa – believing that alcohol misuse Leader Phil Goff advised the Drug Foundation limits whanaungatanga, can impact on “Conscience voting can produce laws that are that the Hon Darren Hughes, Labour’s Chief whakapapa; and destroy kotahitanga. unclear and ineffective. All sorts of changes Whip, will respond to our query on behalf of can be made to a Bill when a conscience vote “The Mäori Party supports the view of the the Labour Caucus. No response received is held because the House is in a state of Law Commission that parties should use from Mr Hughes. free-for-all,” says Law Commission President party-based voting on alcohol law, not Sir Geoffrey Palmer. conscience voting.” – Hon Tariana Turia, Greens Co-leader. “Alcohol laws are simply too important “I can confirm that the Green Party intends to subject them to the vagaries of the to take a party-based vote on alcohol Bills Act conscience vote. Standard party-based voting currently before Parliament and on those No response.

08 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 1:3 Alcohol in our lives

Counting the cost

Are arguments for an increase in alcohol taxes being based on substandard economic research? Or are opponents of a hike misusing an economics paper to make their point? David Young examines the controversy over the BERL report on the costs of alcohol.

Before the Law Commission made any will find that it has. total social cost of alcohol and drug official recommendations on the future Palmer noted – as many experts in misuse for 2005/06 was calculated at of New Zealand’s liquor laws, public drug harm have pointed out – that $6.881 billion ($4.794 billion was debate had already started. alcohol would be classed as a Class B attributed to harmful alcohol use alone), The independent provider of advice to drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 up to 50 percent of the social costs could Parliament on laws that need reforming, if it were treated on its merits. He said be avoided and half of all alcohol was updating, or developing seldom attracts harm minimisation must be the prime consumed in a harmful manner. mainstream criticism. Its careful object of any new law, balanced with the Palmer concluded, “We have recommendations are generally backed need for any regulatory controls to be sufficient evidence to consider whether by considerable intellectual heft. efficient and effective. some of the costs isolated in the BERL However, the Business Roundtable’s report should be internalised to the Roger Kerr and National Party-aligned liquor industry. I doubt that such a blogger David Farrar are among those proposition will be met by great who criticised the Law Commission, The central issue is enthusiasm, but it does seem to me that after President Sir Geoffrey Palmer whether the pendulum has the taxpayer should not be asked to suggested in a speech that liquor tax swung too far in the direction shoulder as much of the burden as is hikes could be up for discussion. of liberality. currently being met from public funds.” Kerr and Farrar have based their criticism It appears this comment in particular Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer on the arguments from Canterbury attracted the attention of Crampton, who University economist Eric Crampton. says he was surprised to see Palmer using The Law Commission was asked by the BERL report. From his first look, the Labour Government to review all Palmer outlined the “dramatic Crampton had concluded, “It couldn’t alcohol laws last year. findings” of a research paper really be used for policy analysis.” Palmer – Minister of Justice when commissioned by the Ministry of Crampton began criticising the the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 was passed – Health and the Accident Compensation BERL report and its use by the Law said, “The central issue is whether the Corporation, Costs of Harmful Alcohol Commission on his popular economics pendulum has swung too far in the and Other Drug Use. blog, Offsetting Behaviour. He wrote a direction of liberality.” He said the report – written in March commentary on the matter in The Press, In his speech on 24 April in Nelson, by private firm Business and Economic and eventually, with fellow economist he made it clear the Law Commission Research Ltd (BERL) – found that the Matt Burgess (Research Associate at the www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 09 Institute for the Study of Competition Crampton says the much-touted behaviour obtain no benefits (such as and Regulation), published a 42-page finding of a $4.8 billion ‘cost’ of alcohol enjoyment) from their actions that would referenced review of it. This effort was is exaggerated and meaningless. counteract or reduce the costs. not funded by any outside organisation, To put this figure into some context: In Crampton’s view, even a harmful but was enough to attract attention in 1996, economist Nancy Joy Devlin drinker gains benefits – such as from reporters, bloggers and pundits. found the cost of alcohol-related harm enjoyment – from their first few drinks What is the BERL report, and varied from $1.4 to $4 billion (although that would roughly balance the excess why has it become so controversial? she stated she was looking at “a costs imposed by later drinks. The Ministry of Health’s National relatively narrow range of alcohol- Crampton’s arguments are similar to Drug Policy Team Leader, Chris related effects”). A year later, Brian those he used in a review in the Medical Laurenson, says BERL was asked to Easton looked at social and economic Journal last year about Des O’Dea’s measure “in economic terms, the costs and reached an eye-watering figure report on tobacco taxes. Arguing that aggregate costs to New Zealand society… of $16 billion. smokers gain personal benefits from of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.” Crampton’s complaint is that BERL’s their activity, he commented that even number is too high because it included though “one may suffer adverse health many private costs in its study, which consequences from smoking, this does do not hurt society itself, so should have Crampton claims BERL has not mean that the smoker didn’t enjoy been ‘netted out’ to make the results committed basic mistakes like smoking” and said that the benefits meaningful. enjoyed by smokers should not be double-counting and using One example he cites is reduced subject to substantial discounting. multipliers inappropriately. labour productivity as a result of alcohol He also has concerns about the Drug BERL rejects that criticism. consumption. Drinking too much will Harm Index, published last June by BERL diminish an individual’s output at work. for the New Zealand Police. He hasn’t Crampton says that the reduction in subjected it to a similar review, but notes BERL was asked to provide costs of productivity should be seen as a private that “it counted costs of drug enforcement alcohol from the perspective of wider cost, because an individual is less likely regimes as a cost of harmful drug use rather society and from the perspectives of to get a promotion or a salary rise. than as a cost of prohibition and counted government and business. BERL argues that lower productivity no benefits of consumption to users.” It was asked to look at what the should be seen as a social cost, because He says he would be “surprised if the Ministry calls ‘tangible’ costs: “the cost lower output will impact on colleagues, results of a thorough ‘fisking’ would not be of consequences to the health and and even on society through lost taxes. welfare systems; productivity It points out that “a computer does not similar to the results on alcohol, other than consequences in the workplace and the keep writing by itself when you have a that there are no offsetting tax revenues home; crime, law enforcement and sick day. Nor may resources be freed up in the case of prohibited substances.” criminal justice; road accidents; fires; for others to use if a person turns up to In the case of the BERL report, environment; research and prevention.” work hung-over.” Crampton argues that a “policy-relevant It was also asked to examine ‘intangible’ Crampton criticises the inclusion of report” should either count all the costs costs: “the cost of loss of life, pain and other costs that BERL has tallied, including and weigh them against benefits (a suffering and the costs of consequences the value of forgone unpaid household cost-benefit study, which is a much to the wellbeing of family/whänau.” work, the production and distribution bigger, more expensive task than the The Ministry of Health suggested costs of alcohol and reduced output consultants were actually set) or count BERL use accepted guidelines for because people are away from work. only the external portion of those costs, estimating the costs of substance abuse He also takes issue with BERL’s to identify the impact on society. that have been endorsed by the World definition (which follows World Health Crampton cites approvingly a report Health Organization, which it did. The Organization categories and Australian written by Felicity Barker of Treasury in report was also subject to peer review alcohol guidelines) of harmful drinking 2002, which did what he argues the from the co-authors of the framework. as the consumption of 1.8 pints of beer BERL report should have done: netted Much of Crampton’s criticism is or more and BERL’s categorisation of out the costs that fell on the individual. technical. He claims BERL has committed all drug use as harmful. Barker’s conclusion was: “In basic mistakes like double-counting and BERL assumes that all consumption 1999/00, the amount of revenue using multipliers inappropriately. BERL it defines as harmful is irrational. In collected from the tax on alcohol was rejects that criticism. economic terms, this means drinkers and $580 million. This is near the mid-point But he also makes broader criticisms drug users are incapable of realising that of the estimated bound of the external – and it is these that have been taken up the personal costs from their activity are tangible costs of alcohol. Thus, the by Kerr and Farrar, who oppose higher higher than the benefits. The economists current rate of excise tax can be justified also assume that those engaged in harmful liquor taxes. on externality grounds.”

10 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Crampton himself attempted to net “We would suggest,” write BERL, pretty easy for someone to miss that bit for out what he sees as the privately borne “that it is nonsense to argue that a drunk all of its talk of ‘net costs’ and welfare.” costs in the BERL report. This involved driver who wraps themselves around a Since the public discussion started, reverse-engineering BERL’s numbers. power pole has made a fully informed, BERL has not actually argued for its He concluded this reduced the total rational choice that is consistent with report to be used as a standard economic costs of alcohol by 40 percent to $2,955.1 their long-term welfare and should be case for higher liquor taxes. Nor has it million, of which the “policy-relevant” of no concern to society.” defended the Law Commission’s use net external costs of alcohol (basically The economists point out, as an of it. crime, healthcare costs and road crashes) example of Crampton’s “worldview”, Lead author Adrian Slack has amount to just $146.3 million, or less than that he had assumed drinkers would fare commented: “In terms of forming policy… 5 percent of BERL’s $4.8 billion figure. worse in the labour market, even in the it gives you some direction on where are After seeking comments from absence of harmful drinking. the biggest problems, where should we BERL and others on mistakes and They also drew attention to his focus” and has noted that the report was misinterpretations in his review, argument that “alcohol saves many more not prepared for the Law Commission. Crampton later reworked the numbers, lives than it takes and has health benefits “As with anything that enters the and, instead of a net external cost, came well beyond the point where BERL says public domain, it is the consumer’s right up with a net external benefit from harm starts and all benefits stop”, which to interpret it as they see fit and for them alcohol of $37.8 million. they said was a value judgement that to take responsibility for their reaction to “would not have been appropriate for it, not for the author to manage their an independent study such as ours.” response to it.” All of this would simply be Crampton rejects notions of being At the Ministry of Health, Laurenson a relatively inconsequential, influenced by a particular worldview. says that the report “makes an important contribution to understanding the cost to academic argument between He says the only “goggles” he uses society of harmful alcohol consumption”, economists, if it were not to examine research are those of an economist. and it is using the report “to provide for the political dimension: All of this would simply be a advice to Government on alcohol-related the Law Commission’s use relatively inconsequential, academic harm and ways to minimise it.” of the BERL report in a argument between economists if it were Crampton worries that government speech suggesting higher not for the political dimension: the Law organisations “appear to commission liquor taxes. Commission’s use of the BERL report in reports with the purpose of lobbying” a speech suggesting higher liquor taxes. and argues that a ministry favouring From an economist’s perspective, higher taxes or a tougher regulatory so-called ‘Pigovean taxes’ are designed to regime would request a report that In an online response, BERL says tallied all social costs, rather than just Crampton fundamentally misinterprets internalise the external costs to society. If something has large social costs, there external costs. the study’s brief and, on this basis, And the Law Commission itself has employs an inappropriate framework is a clear economic argument for taxation. Recall Palmer’s comments in Nelson: stayed largely above the fray. Palmer for his analysis. recently told the National Business “The project brief was not to assess “We have sufficient evidence to consider whether some of the costs isolated in the Review, however, that, on 22 May, benefits, nor to provide policy analysis. he sought advice from Treasury and an BERL report should be internalised to The brief was to quantify the costs of independent economist on ‘issues’ in harmful use of alcohol and other drugs the liquor industry.” the BERL report. This, he pointed out, using an internationally recognised Crampton claims – in arguments was long before the report by the two method.” that have been echoed by anti-tax hike economists Crampton and Burgess Crampton responds: “It would have commentators – that “an underlying (although it was actually after been pretty simple for BERL to have paternalistic argument [is being] covered Crampton’s Press article and blog added in a section tabulating the external in the garb of economics and presented postings started.) portion of costs while doing all of their as the result of the application of Palmer has recently expanded on his other tabulations; it’s been a lot of work to scientific economic method.” views about the economic case for liquor instead reverse-engineer those numbers.” He is annoyed that BERL has not tax changes in the Law Commission’s For their part, the BERL economists publicly told the Law Commission that public discussion paper. Its call for criticise Crampton for using a “a non- the research provided only a pure cost higher taxes on alcohol means this verifiable argument”: that all drinkers approach and couldn’t usefully be debate is only likely to get louder. are rational and, thus, if someone compared with tax revenue. consumes a good, the private benefits “While BERL does note in the report David Young is a freelance journalist. must equate or exceed the costs. that their measure is cost only, it would be www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 11 2:3 Alcohol in our lives

Tackling sport’s alcohol culture

Mixing sport and too much alcohol has long been a New Zealand pastime. Kim Thomas looks at the challenges for those trying to break the harmful trend, and some initiatives offering hope. Sandra Teddy/Getty Image Teddy/Getty Sandra

A few social drinks after the game – In the three years since signing the There’s no point saying it’s the Kiwi way. But you know there agreement, Leach says the Association is a problem with alcohol and sport has definitely kept its end of the bargain. binge drinking is bad and when the players turn up drunk. The club uses its new PA system to then giving under 16s a slab That was a common occurrence in announce its parks’ smokefree status, of beer when they’re best on Gisborne rugby league competitions a and Mäori wardens remind people the ground. few years ago. who have smokes or drinks that they Tairawhiti Rugby League Association are not allowed. Australian Drug Foundation Australia Secretary Sarah Leach says, “At the The Paikea Whalers is the most Executive Director John Rogerson beginning of games, you used to have compliant of all Tairawhiti Rugby half the team drunk or out of it on dope.’’ League Association clubs. Three years ago, the Association Leach says, before the agreement, decided things had to change. It needed virtually all players drank heavily a new PA system and heard funding was and smoked cigarettes and marijuana. available from the local district health Now, only three players continue board – with a few strings attached. to smoke. The board gave them $5,000 for their In the past three years, the sound system and administration costs Association has received up to $10,000 on the condition they ban smoking on all a year from the district health board, club fields and in clubrooms. which it used to train referees and It gave the Association more money coaches, buy uniforms and equipment, in the second year of their agreement and pay for players to travel. for banning drinking and drug taking Leach says the agreement was from the time its parks opened to until slightly easier to uphold because many games finished. of the Tairawhiti clubs do not have

12 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz licensed club rooms and players usually themselves flouting licensing laws and went elsewhere for after-game having irresponsible practices relating to entertainment. alcohol, particularly with inexperienced The ones that do have clubrooms or untrained bar staff. now open for a few drinks and speeches In these situations, licensing officers before encouraging players to go home try to work alongside clubs having to their families. problems rather than take a punitive Leach says the scheme was not approach. Shaw says this has seen most initially welcomed by many players. clubs improve their behaviour regarding “People were so against it because alcohol in the past decade. it wasn’t what rugby league was known In Australia, authorities are applying for. It has a reputation for heavy a more co-ordinated approach to the drinking, drugs and smoking. issue in the form of the Good Sports “We still get moans and groans, but programme, developed by the Australian we have to abide by our agreement.’’ Drug Foundation. Attitudes to sport and alcohol are The programme has run successfully hard to shift. The combination is in parts of Australia for at least 10 years. ingrained in generations of Australian Drug Foundation New Zealanders, brought up with Executive Director John Rogerson says, rugby, racing and beer. in the past decade, there has been much The after-match function is often as debate in the media about top sporting keenly anticipated as the game itself. heroes falling from grace after binge And while a few socials at the club drinking sessions. can boost team and community spirit, “A lot of the sports are looking at they can quickly and easily lead to their brand and what the community uncontrolled consumption, fuelling is making of it because of players’ all sorts of problems. behaviour. You now get sports clubs Even at the top of the game, there strongly addressing these issues with are numerous examples of players’ the players. My concern around all of dangerous binge drinking. this is they are actually missing the Think All Black Doug Howlett’s point. What they are seeing as a player post-World Cup drunken car jumping issue is actually the culture of sport, episode or cricketer Jesse Ryder’s which supports heavy, binge drinking.’’ The older players are often altercation with a Christchurch bar The solution is building a positive respected mentors but they toilet window. attitude to drinking at grass roots level, don’t realise it. What they Alcohol damages young sportspeople Rogerson says. do can have a really positive and their communities too. Every This involves educating sports or negative impact on weekend, young players are involved management, the people who work younger players. in brawls, drink-driving accidents or behind clubroom bars, supporters alcohol-fuelled domestic abuse. and sponsors. Kerry Lancaster Peter Shaw is a former policeman “There’s no point saying binge who now works as a liquor licensing drinking is bad and then giving under officer for the public health team in 16s a slab of beer when they’re best on Canterbury. He has seen his fair share the ground. That’s not something that of the down side of alcohol and sport. sends a real clear message to parents Shaw says, at the highest levels of or players.’’ sport, players engage in initiation rites The Good Sports programme involving excessive drinking. involves accrediting clubs at different Many club members provide levels to become more responsible hosts. alcoholic drinks to younger players as The first stage may involve helping rewards for a good performance, and a club get a liquor licence and drinking sessions in clubrooms often understanding basic healthy attitudes go on into the early hours. towards alcohol. Shaw says, with all the best At higher levels, it involves helping intentions, good clubs sometimes find clubs develop a safe transport strategy www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 13 and making sure everyone who serves Many clubs found Club Mark came Lancaster and her colleagues are alcohol is trained in responsible service. with too much paperwork and had too developing a programme called Say Now, The programme also helps clubs many health outcomes to achieve, such which should be implemented in sports secure funding from sources other than as being smokefree, sun-smart, trying to clubs around Canterbury next winter. the alcohol industry. prevent injury and minimising harm Say Now involves training respected “We’re not kidding ourselves,’’ from alcohol. members of sports clubs to impart Rogerson says. “We got a bit lost in New Zealand positive messages about alcohol to “We know the drinking issue is hard (with Club Mark compared to the Good younger players. for volunteer clubs, which is why we’re Sports programme) because we made it “It might be old school club member committed to supporting them deal too broad and with too many outcomes. Bluey, who says to players skulling beer, with it.’’ It became a bit of a box ticking exercise ‘Hey guys, pull your heads in’.’’ A recent survey of the Good Sports rather than focusing on the positive The mentors will attend seminars programme showed it had cut the things it was trying to achieve.’’ and listen to a range of people such as number of drinks people consumed at ACC and ALAC funding for the Club recovering alcoholics or Super 14 and participating Australian rugby league Mark programme was discontinued after champion netball players who have got and cricket clubs and lowered the its first year, but some clubs, such as ones into strife with alcohol. percentage of players involved in in Canterbury and Nelson, still continue Lancaster says the programme aims risky drinking by at least 10 percent. with it and get alternative funding. to work on an unconscious level. A concept similar to the Good Sports Galloway says, despite Club Mark “The older players are often respected programme was introduced to being stopped, there are a range of other New Zealand in 2006 by Sport mentors but they don’t realise it. What things being done around New Zealand. Canterbury, and named Club Mark. they do can have a really positive or ALAC is working with public health Lorraine McLeod is the Club Mark negative impact on younger players. officials and organisations such as co-ordinator at Sport Canterbury. councils and police to ensure there is no “Every year in sports clubs, you She says the programme is based on dangerous drinking when thousands of have a new set of young people coming the premise that, in order to be successful people flock to watch World Cup Rugby through, so hopefully we can make a and healthy, a club needs to be well run. games at venues around the country difference to a lot of people.’’ Minimising harm from alcohol is one in 2011. She hopes the positive messages small part of the Club Mark programme. “If there was a free-for-all with about drinking will be extended to At the most basic level, it might alcohol, these places with hundreds of include “not going home and bashing involve help getting the appropriate people, some of them hanging out there the missus’’ or getting into street brawls. licence for a club with a fridge in the all day, could turn very nasty,’’ The Say Now team looked at a range corner from which club management sell Galloway says. of different programmes, including Club beer, McLeod says. Mark, before deciding on its scheme. “We ask them to have food available, A national working group has been “Club Mark is a huge undertaking not to serve underage people and set up for managing alcohol rules during generally encourage them to obey liquor the Rugby World Cup so places set up for a club. They need to have a person licensing laws. for people to watch games will abide by full-time running it, and only a small “Most clubs want to be good clubs, the same rules. part of it is related to alcohol.’’ but the liquor licence is like a driver’s On a smaller scale, some clubs and The Say Now programme requires licence. They might have got one a while organisations around the country are little financial investment and effort ago, but, like most of us, might not adapting their own initiatives – like the from clubs, as mentors are already part necessarily pass if we were tested on Gisborne league approach – to minimise of the organisation, Lancaster says. it today.’’ harm in the sporting world. Although the programme has been Good Sports was picked up by ALAC In Canterbury, a group of police set up by police, they will fade into the and ACC in 2007 and trialled in different officers has developed a programme background once mentors are trained. parts of New Zealand. using senior members of sports clubs. “We are enforcement. It’s not Andrew Galloway, ALAC’s Supply Constable Kerry Lancaster is part appropriate for us to be seen to be of the region’s newly developed police Control Project Manager, says the appeal involved in it. We want people in the Alcohol Strategy and Enforcement Team, of the Club Mark programme was clubs to take healthy messages on board helping clubs minimise harm from as well as being a keen sportswoman. about alcohol, so, slowly but surely, alcohol and become more family friendly. She has played at high level the culture changes for the better.’’ Disappointingly, the Club Mark competitions in squash, tennis and netball, programme did not work as well as its and her brother, Stephen Lancaster, Kim Thomas is a Christchurch-based journalist. sponsors had hoped, he says. is a former Canterbury Crusader.

14 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz 3:3 Alcohol in our lives

It’s our loss

In the last Matters of Substance, we brought you the story of how the Cannons Creek community successfully opposed a liquor licence application. Similar opposition by the small Christchurch community of Halswell has been less successful, but a strong statement by the Liquor Licensing Authority did send a warning shot across the alcohol industry’s bows. Lianne Dalziel was present at the Halswell hearing.

I sat in the back of Courtroom 2 of the drink spirits (RTDs) to young people. Christchurch Environment Court on They also raised concerns about ‘loss- 5 December last year as members of the leading’ – a retail industry practice Halswell community fought a valiant wholly unsuited to the sale of liquor and defence against the incursion of yet already allegedly occurring with the sale another off-licence outlet into their of wine and beer in supermarkets. small suburb. During the hearing, the Licensing It was not easy for the two members Sergeant examined the applicant about Lianne of the community who appeared in front his stance on ‘loss-leading’, and I think, Dalziel of the Liquor Licensing Authority (LLA) to his credit, he admitted he would do representing those who had signed a so if forced to by competition. It was the petition opposing the outlet. They had wrong answer in a legal sense, but the to personalise their opposition to the right answer in terms of exposing the suitability of the applicant, which was serious challenge commercial imperatives not something they wanted to do. He make to the objectives of the Sale of was their local supermarket operator and Liquor Act. a nice enough man – but it was a matter Although Halswell did not win its of principle. fight against this licence – it was granted He already had an off-licence for for a year, and I know the community the supermarket to sell wine and beer, will watch what happens when it opens and the proposed bottle store would be – they did win this strong statement by directly facing an existing hotel bottle the LLA about loss-leading: store. It was ‘enough is enough’ for the “We believe that the retail initiative residents’ association that organised the known as loss-leading (that is, advertising petition and argued that supermarkets, and selling goods at less than cost, in venturing into hard liquor and using order not only to attract customers to their considerable purchasing power, the store, but in the process sell more would sell cut-price spirits and ready-to- products) needs to be looked at more www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 15 Most licensees understand seriously by licensees. If a licensee uses As the LLA has highlighted, the they are dealing with a drug, liquor to loss-lead, then he or she is very object of the Sale of Liquor Act is stimulating and not meeting demand. undermined by loss-leading, and it is and that they have a duty under Where liquor is involved, it is not good time it was prohibited in law. the Act to help promote the enough for a licensee to say (as they do) We wouldn’t have to do this if the reduction of liquor abuse. that they have to continue with this supermarkets had been responsible, but they haven’t been. Everyone knows Judge Unwin business practice because of competition. “Most licensees understand they are that bottle store owners cannot buy beer dealing with a drug and that they have a from wholesalers cheaper than they can duty under the Act to help promote the from their local supermarket and that reduction of liquor abuse. In our some wine labels are no longer stocked experience, loss-leading helps to by boutique wine shops because they promote the abuse of liquor. In future, cannot compete with supermarket prices. examples of loss-leading by an off- I had thought the proliferation of licensee will be treated as an indication off-licences was the major problem of lack of suitability.” until it was pointed out to me the The retail industry has been at pains quantities involved in supermarket to deny the practice of loss-leading, but sales and the reduction in prices that this decision has finally shaken it into occurred as a result. action. Foodstuffs wrote to me advising The community is demanding that that, in line with its new alcohol policy, Government take steps to reduce the it will not be selling alcohol products harm caused by liquor, so now that below cost – although I note they still we have this admission from the think that is OK when it is to get rid of supermarkets, the ball is squarely in the obsolete or short-dated stock. It is Government’s court to resolve this once and for all. extraordinary to think it is only the threat of losing its licence to sell liquor Lianne Dalziel is the Member for Christchurch that has seen this result. East and the Labour Party Spokesperson on It isn’t just loss-leading that is the Justice and Commerce. problem. The industry has huge discounting opportunities, and the stories of the market power they bring to bear on smaller producers are legendary.

16 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Opinion

It’s time for the facts to get in the way of a good story

Blame for New Zealand’s binge drinking culture is often levelled at the alcohol industry, which is accused of deliberately encouraging irresponsible and excessive consumption. Nothing could be further from the truth, argues Liz Read, Corporate Affairs Director Liz Read of Lion Nathan New Zealand.

Have you heard the latest party trick? du jour. There is no scarcity of opinion, A few years ago, I spoke to a group Known as ‘Edward Wine-hands’ and much of which lays responsibility of recent Otago University graduates – high fashion among Otago University squarely with the liquor industry. all women. I asked them how they students, it involves blokes taping a Yet the tale of the Otago students’ measured a good night out and what bottle of wine to each hand. The trick drinking exploits helpfully illustrates drove their drinking behaviour. They is they can’t relieve themselves (at least that to blame the industry is to miss one told me they go out not to socialise, not without third party help) until crucial fact: the way we drink has most but to get drunk. And they said their they’ve drunk both wine bottles dry. to do with who we drink with and the measure of a good night out was when By necessity, there comes a point where nature of the occasion, and far less to do everyone in the group had drunk enough they must speed up their drinking in with the availability, price or marketing to throw up. They were quick to point order to avoid making a public disgrace of the alcohol we drink. out they wouldn’t dream of drinking the of themselves. When a group of women head out on same way when they returned to their The origins of this fad are worth a hens’ night, they do so each having home towns. exploring. accepted and, in fact, predetermined that The nature of their drinking was a There is no advertisement, in-store they will probably get drunk. However, factor of the city they chose for their promotion, billboard or wine label the group will probably take steps to undergraduate studies, and all were instructing students to indulge in this ensure the safety of their membership likeminded in their attitudes and kind of ‘game’. throughout the occasion. They won’t behaviours – behaviours, it would seem, No doubt the students bought the wine drive, they’ll make sure they eat, they’ll unique to that lifestyle and (hopefully) locally and would have searched out the stick together in a group and won’t let confined to that time in their lives. cheapest price. But again, that in itself did any of their party ‘stray’, and they’ll Some commentators suggest that not precipitate such banal behaviour. make sure they all get home safely. industry calls for greater individual By a process of elimination, that The next day, they’ll undoubtedly be drinker responsibility are a convenient means the students came up with the unproductive, and they will probably, way to deflect attention from their own idea all by themselves. and uncharacteristically, crave protein- irresponsible and unethical practices. With such resourcefulness and rich foods like pies and burgers. Many would say that, through subtle ingenuity, it’s no wonder these young Their intentions are deliberate – messaging and advanced ‘marketing undergraduates will someday likely rise each person who chooses to join the science’, the industry is indeed entirely to the top of their chosen professions group knows they will have a ‘big night responsible for the misuse of alcohol by – many in medicine, no less. out’ and willingly accepts the young people. So who is to blame? consequences. The nature of the Furthermore, they would assert that The question of who or what to blame occasion and who they’re with drives driving shareholder value means our for the way some people drink is the topic their drinking behaviour. sole motivation is to encourage people www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 17 However, we do broadly believe there need to be more incentives for liquor retailers to act responsibly and the penalties for not doing so should be sufficient to deter illegal sale and supply. But, by the same token, there need to be more incentives for consumers to take responsibility for their own drinking behaviour. The consequences of anti-social and irresponsible drinking should be a deterrent to the behaviour. Incentives to drink responsibly and penalties for not doing so should be tougher. For example, why should a person who injures themselves when drunk be eligible for ACC? Further regulation of producers and retailers will not reduce alcohol misuse in New Zealand. The best way to reduce binge drinking and alcohol misuse is to make it socially unacceptable to drink to

Dominion Post/AndrewGorrie the point of drunkenness and to ensure the negative consequences of drinking excessively outweigh the positives. Alcohol marketing – genuine problem or easy target? At Lion Nathan, we take our commitment to marketing our products responsibly very seriously, and we work hard to ensure that the way we promote, package, distribute and sell our alcoholic beverages is always done lawfully and responsibly. We have no commercial interest in marketing our products to people who are not legally able to buy them – that is, to drink more so we can sell more and Contrary to the view that we enjoy people under 18. Actually, older drinkers thereby make more profit. enormous commercial freedoms, our are more profitable because they have Let me correct these assertions, at business is already one of the most more disposable income and aspire to least from Lion Nathan’s perspective. heavily regulated in New Zealand. drink premium alcoholic beverage We are regulated in terms of what we brands, which sell at higher prices. Individual responsibility vs can produce, how we can label and Our liquor advertising is about industry responsibility market it, where and when we can sell influencing brand choice and not Alcohol is the world’s most it, how much we can sell it for and to increasing per occasion or total ubiquitous legal drug, and while most whom we can sell it. consumption. The purpose of our people drink responsibly most of the In addition, at Lion Nathan, we advertising is to influence consumers to time, when alcohol is misused, it causes have our own Code for Responsible choose our brands when they’re buying harm to individuals, families and Marketplace Activity, and where we alcohol. This is no different to the communities. feel the law does not sufficiently support advertising of, say, shampoo – where So it is appropriate there is regulation responsibility, we take our own position. advertising doesn’t ask people to wash to control its production, promotion, sale For example, we do not produce their hair more often, just to choose one and supply and that there should be single-serve RTDs above two standard brand over another. tough penalties for producers and drinks, and we do not produce energy- Quite simply, when they buy alcohol, retailers who break the law. based RTDs. we want people to choose our brands

18 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance more often than other brands. The feet if they’re not impressed with the It is vital that this discussion sophisticated ‘marketing science’ we’re way a company or brand conducts itself. document is read and discussed so often accused of employing isn’t any That is certainly our attitude at Lion in every home, every workplace, more sophisticated or scientific than that Nathan. As a forward-thinking corporate every community and even every of any other manufacturer. with a commitment to the long-term pub, so that we are clear about the Volume vs value sustainability of our business, we are facts of the matter. We must own Lion Nathan wants to drive a high very aware that all our stakeholders – the problem as a nation and find quality, high value liquor market. be they shareholders, the communities the solutions together. We want consumers to choose our in which we operate or the people who Hon Lianne Dalziel, Labour Justice brands and to be prepared to pay more work for us – have expectations that we Spokesperson. for them. will operate in a way that is socially, Our salespeople are bonused on environmentally and economically profit, not volume. This means they aim sustainable. We still strongly believe that to sell less of a higher priced product to Our long-term future depends on us minors should only be allowed to a customer than more of a lower priced operating in a way that is about making consume alcohol under the direct product – that way, our retail customers our world a more sociable place and supervision of their parents or make more money too. about reducing the misuse of alcohol. lawful guardians, and we support We know that increased retail Working together is better raising the purchase age from competition sometimes drives retailers Most New Zealanders drink off-licensed premises to 20. to use price promotions to drive foot responsibly most of the time. Alcohol Murray Clearwater, Institute of Liquor traffic. Lower prices have been shown misuse is not an epidemic. Nor is our Licensing Inspectors. to drive increased purchasing by company made up of nameless, faceless consumers, which can lead to increased ‘barons’ whose moral compass is so awry per-occasion consumption. as to derive profit from encouraging Many New Zealanders We partner our retail customers misuse. don’t appreciate just how chaotic to differentiate themselves from the Yet sadly, some groups and it gets late at night in many of our competition in ways other than price commentators reject entirely the notion cities, because they are at home in discounting and price promotions – of working in partnership with us and bed. Police have to actually deal for example, improved store layout dismiss outright even the possibility with the violence, disorder and and lighting, great service, specialist that we share their objective of reducing crashes caused by drunks. knowledge, great entertainment, misuse. Such attitudes reflect a denial Chris Cahill, Police Association. excellent food and so forth – and that the world has moved on and, we never support trade promotions thankfully, aren’t universal. involving our beverage brands if they At Lion Nathan, we actively pursue The Law Commission’s report breech ASA codes or any of our own social and environmental responsibility provides a useful starting point, internal standards. because of nothing more sinister than but the genuine debate it is seeking It is commonly thought that a genuine interest in being responsible will only be successful if the producers like Lion Nathan control the corporate citizens and contributing to extremists and zealots at both ends retail price of alcohol. That is not true. a better society for all. That’s how we of the spectrum, who have been too Liquor retailers set the price at which maintain our position as an employer strident and dominant for too long, alcoholic beverages are sold. We are able of choice, and that’s how our brands shut up and let the view of real to recommend a retail price, but by law, remain some of the most adored in New Zealanders be heard. we cannot stipulate a price – either New Zealand. Hon Peter Dunne, Associate Minister maximum or minimum – and under the To simply call for more regulation of Health. Commerce Act, nor can we withhold of producers and retailers is to deny the supply from a retailer if we consider reality of life in the 21st century and the their retail pricing to be irresponsible. power of social culture. We know from first-hand Big doesn’t mean bad No amount of further industry experience that alcohol is not the In my experience, the bigger the regulation will change the attitudes and benign harmless drug that the liquor producer, the more responsible behaviours of those university students liquor industry would have they are in their business practices. who dreamed up the ‘Edward Wine- people believe. They’re in the business for the long haul hands’ party-trick. Working together not the quick buck and they understand to change the drinking behaviours that Major Campbell Roberts, Salvation Army that most consumers are no different to New Zealanders accept as the cultural most shareholders – they vote with their norm just might. continued on page 23 www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 19 Mythbusters

Substance and Substantiation

MYTH: Alcohol consumption is a Busting alcohol matter of individual policy myths responsibility.

Myth: We should not penalise the entire community for the drinking behaviour of a problematical minority. Alcohol This year is a particularly significant one for policy should focus on alcohol policy in New Zealand. Amendments to the minority groups that are most at risk, the 20-year-old Sale of Liquor Act are currently at such as youth and select committee stage, and the Law Commission is binge drinkers. conducting its comprehensive alcohol law review. Acceptance is high that alcohol-related harms are significant, and there’s a high level of media interest in proposals to mitigate those harms. So there’s a lot being said about alcohol policy right now, and Mythbusters are here to help with a special edition that separates the straight talking from the fast talking. Myth: Raising prices has no effect on heavy or binge drinkers. As with any complex health and social issue, the debate relating to effective alcohol policy has been characterised by the frequent brandishing of half-truths, scare mongering and, at times, deliberate misinformation At stake, after all, are the profits of an industry worth tens of millions of dollars annually. The discourse on alcohol policy also taps into deeply rooted philosophical beliefs regarding individual freedoms and the extent to which they may be curbed by government intervention. We think it timely to draw attention to some of the often heard myths around alcohol policy. We have identified several spurious claims commonly made by those opposed to making alcohol more expensive and less available. These claims have been grouped under six common ‘myths’, which Mythbusters here refutes.

20 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Blame for our binge drinking culture is more consumers find themselves in an environment society as a whole. Alcohol is a contributory often directed towards the irresponsibility of in which several millions of dollars are spent factor in a wide range of social problems users than the producers and marketers. The on alcohol marketing. The messages are very including crime, violence, family breakdown, constant refrain from the industry is that, if clever and subtle, come via a variety of media child abuse and child neglect. The concept of people took more personal responsibility for and draw on the best marketing science ‘passive drinking’ to capture the damage done themselves, the harms associated with their available. They exploit human needs, which to the innocent when people drink too much product would be mitigated. Industry is are most intensely expressed in youth. These is useful in this regard. Focusing on individual supposedly only there to help responsible include the need for inclusion as part of the responsibility for a problem with far-reaching people enjoy themselves and fulfil their ‘in crowd’ and the need to feel grown up. consequences across society is short-sighted chosen lifestyles. Those who call for increased Marketing tactics used by the alcohol industry and ignores the obligations governments have prices and tighter restrictions on availability appear very similar to those formerly used by to protect the most vulnerable. have even been labelled ‘health Nazis’. the tobacco industry. There is now strong Far from being health fascists, those who This claim overlooks important factors about evidence that alcohol marketing promotes a advocate for greater restrictions on alcohol alcohol itself and the environment in which it culture of drinking and has a reinforcing effect availability and increased prices are champions is consumed, both of which can have a strong on young people’s drinking. for those whose lives are blighted by alcohol- influence on individual decision making. Another important aspect to keep in mind is fuelled disorder, violence and abuse. Firstly, alcohol is an addictive substance. that harmful alcohol use is rarely an individual Addiction and dependency seriously impair the problem. Rather, it impacts on family, friends, ability to make rational decisions. Secondly, neighbours, work colleagues and, ultimately,

This is a common myth actively pushed by In addition, the purported cost to moderate the need for both population-based strategies industry and with some notable success. drinkers of measures such as raising the price and interventions and those targeting When the Chief Medical Officer in England of alcohol has been greatly exaggerated. particular groups. A WHO-sponsored review called for a minimum unit price for alcohol, Recent modelling in the UK has shown that of 32 alcohol strategies found the most the proposal was instantly dismissed by setting a minimum price of 50 pence per unit effective alcohol policies included restricting Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who said, would likely increase the average weekly availability and raising price, drink-driving laws “We don’t want the responsible, sensible spend on alcohol of moderate drinkers by only and brief interventions for hazardous and majority of moderate drinkers to have to 23 pence per week, but would decrease the harmful drinkers. By contrast, the least pay more or suffer because of the excesses consumption by underage and heavy drinkers effective policies included education in of a small minority.” by 7.3 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. schools, public service announcements and voluntary regulation by industry. It concluded Contrary to the widely held misperception, Overwhelming, evidence demonstrates that that, if the less effective measures are used, alcohol harms are not confined to the heaviest efforts to reduce the burden of harm from they should form part of a comprehensive, drinkers in a population but are much more alcohol need to reach the majority of drinkers population-based strategy. widespread. For example, recent research from and not just the high-risk groups. The World Finland found that the majority of problems Health Organization (WHO) says population- occurred in 90 percent of the population based policies can have a protective effect on consuming moderately, compared to the vulnerable populations and reduce the overall 10 percent of the population drinking heavily. level of alcohol problems. It has recognised

This myth is widely disseminated by certain particularly sensitive when it comes to pricing. The relationship between alcohol price and sectors and frequently cited in media reports. Recent research from Scotland, for example, consumption has been extensively evaluated Yet the evidence shows the opposite is true. found that overall consumption decreased and forms the basis for the WHO’s Price increases and a set minimum price have following a tax increase that exceeded the recommendation that raising price (along with a much greater effect on heavier than on cost of living, and heavier drinkers cut down restricting availability) is among the most lighter drinkers, with modest or only small the most. There is also good evidence to show effective measures to decrease harms from extra financial cost to lighter drinkers. that policies that increase alcohol prices delay alcohol. On the basis of the overwhelming body of evidence to date, we are confident When all other factors are equal, increased the start of drinking, slow young people’s that higher prices will lead to a reduction in alcohol prices generally lead to decreased progression towards drinking large amounts alcohol-related harms across society. consumption and vice versa. At-risk groups and reduce the volume of alcohol consumed such as youth and heavy drinkers are per occasion.

www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 21 Myth: It is important to This is a call often made by the liquor different matter to collaborating on policy. It is work with industry industry and its allies. Variants include the reasonable (and necessary) to engage industry when formulating much touted lines that ‘we are all in this when it comes to matters such as working to alcohol policy. together’ or ‘we need to involve all the provide safer drinking environments. stakeholders when formulating policy’. Alcohol producers are well organised and Unfortunately, this argument does not stand effective lobbyists for industry-friendly up against closer scrutiny. policies, both nationally and internationally. The supposed commonality of interest between There are many parallels between their public health and the alcohol industry is difficult strategies and tactics and those of the to reconcile with the direct correlation that tobacco industry. A major focus is to exists between overall volume of consumption campaign against effective strategies and and levels of alcohol-related harm. Furthermore, for ineffective strategies. the majority of alcohol consumed in Another industry tactic is to instil doubt about New Zealand is done so in the context of non-industry research. A recent disclosure of excessive or harmful drinking. It is naïve to hitherto unpublished documents provides a believe the industry would voluntarily support revealing insight into how the alcohol industry measures to reduce overall consumption operates. It shows that industry holds grave when this would clearly undermine profits. concerns that alcohol will be viewed through a At the very heart of the matter is a public health lens in the same way as tobacco fundamental conflict of interests between and has invested in co-ordinated strategies to public health and pursuit of profits. divert attention away from programmes it perceives will do the most damage to its Recognising this, a WHO Expert Committee interests. Among the measures it has opposed has recommended that the global public most strongly are tax increases, controls in health body continues its practice of no advertising and sponsorship, health warnings collaboration with the alcohol industry. and tough policing, especially on drink-driving. Governments should take a similar stance According to the lead author of this paper, when it comes to formulating policy. “although [the alcohol industry] don’t want to However, engaging in a dialogue with industry be seen in the same way as big tobacco, they’re on specific ways to reduce harm is an entirely going down exactly the same path.”

Myth: Legislation While legislation alone won’t change our parallels that can be drawn from the success can’t change our drinking culture, its role in shaping behaviour of anti-smoking legislation, where a drinking culture. should not be dismissed out of hand. Our view substantial culture change has occurred is that legislation has a crucial role to play in following the enactment of smokefree influencing the drinking environment, which is legislation. There has been a significant shift currently oriented towards ease of access and in attitudes towards smoking in public places excess. We also believe there are important since the smokefree legislation.

Myth: We should not Alcohol is no ordinary commodity. It is like any other commodity and then rely solely interfere with the an addictive substance that can lead to on market forces to determine supply and market by artificially long-term dependence. It is associated with a demand is therefore absurd. setting minimum range of acute and chronic health harms and alcohol prices and Governments have a duty to protect and has been classified by WHO as a Class 1 restricting marketing. promote the public good. Setting minimum carcinogen, alongside asbestos, formaldehyde, unit price levels and/or increasing excise mustard gas and plutonium-239. Were it to tax are a very effective means of reducing go before the New Zealand Government’s alcohol-related harms. Marketing contributes Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs, it to the uptake and spread of alcohol use and would be classified as Class B (High Risk). the consequent spread of harm. Regulation of Alcohol’s association with crime and violence marketing to mitigate these harms should be is well known. To argue it should be treated a core national response.

22 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Guest Editorial

Quotes of Substance

If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’ll keep getting Let’s offer what we’ve always got. We have to make bold changes, now. treatment! Rebecca Williams, Alcohol Healthwatch.

I condemn anyone who says that a vote for mild restrictions on this dangerous drug is for prohibition. Sensible control is not prohibition, and pretending they are the same is irresponsible and distorted. Progressive Party Leader Jim Anderton speaking in support of the Liquor Enforcement Bill.

It would be an enormous While we all sit around in meeting rooms, at economic stimulus if we stopped wasting so much money arresting conferences and in universities talking, writing and and locking people up for non- thinking about treatment, have we forgotten the violent drug offences and instead brought in new tax revenue from 3 percent of the adult population or more that sits legal sales, just as we did when around wondering how to dig themselves out of the hole we ended alcohol prohibition that is their addiction? In this edition’s guest editorial, 75 years ago during the Great Depression. and in the spirit of constructive debate, Michael Bird Jack Cole, Executive Director of Law offers ‘a quaint solution to an old problem’. Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) suggests the answer to the US’s economic woes is to legalise and tax cannabis. I came back from this year’s apparently blinkered view the treatment International Harm Reduction sector itself sometimes displays around Conference feeling motivated to write the availability of treatment (particularly The panel recognises that, the constructively about treatment as a residential), the delivery of treatment courts’ approach to sentencing for solution to alcohol and drug problems. outside the main centre and a fixation supplying drugs has been driven In the past, I confess, I have found with developing the workforce at the by the desire to provide a deterrent myself writing things about this topic cost and peril of actually putting ‘clients’ effect. However, there is no that were less than constructive. in front of clinicians. evidence to show that lengthy Strangely, the topic of drug and I find it ironic that we need to have a sentences have the desired alcohol treatment is oft overshadowed workforce with postgraduate qualifications deterrent effect and research by discussions around harm reduction, when all our beloved research tells us that suggests that drug barons are research into the why of addiction, the key determinant to treatment outcomes more concerned about the loss those in the justice system, workforce is the ‘relationship’ between clinician and of their assets than the threat development and, most recently, policy, client. Maybe we all need to gain postgrad of imprisonment. the law and the evil empire. qualifications in having relationships – The Sentencing Advisory Panel (UK) I acknowledge that treatment is not I know I could do with one! in a consultation paper relating to the beginning, middle and end of it all. And while we’re on the subject of sentencing for the most commonly I understand the challenges, costs, silo research, what is this fixation we seem to mentality and prejudices that impact on have with evidence? The evidence says committed drug offences. the timely and appropriate delivery of this so have to keep doing that. It is treatment to those most in need. within my AOD lifetime that evidence What I do not understand is the has come so vehemently to the fore, and continued on page 31 www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 23 I can remember thinking two things: plan. I personally find 12 points much firstly, if it was all about evidence then more palatable than five. I would never be able to do the work I do 1. Be brave. in the field; secondly, one day, we will 2. Innovate. wake up to the fact that, if we only look 3. Stuff the evidence; let’s dance. back at the evidence, we can never really 4. Stop asking why. move forward. 5. Get with the what and how. For the first time the other day I 6. Don’t blame them. heard the evidence concept tempered to 7. Take responsibility. its rightful place, by Professor Anne 8. Residential treatment is good. Roche who said, and I paraphrase, that 9. Therapeutic communities are NOT we can never innovate if we rely on the only form of residential treatment. evidence alone; that we must have the 10. Look outside Auckland when talking courage to trust our good judgement if treatment. we are to be innovative. We have the 11. Say yes to solving problems (P). power of rational thought, logic and 12. Your idea here… practice to guide us as we move forward. That’s 12, and I have only made a start. It’s way past time we moved forward. In closing (thank you to the bored, The Law Commission has released frustrated, pissed off and incredulous its consultation document, Alcohol in who have read this far), I have something our Lives. to say about promotion (of course). While logic would suggest that Treatment is no ordinary commodity treatment is not really in the ken of this and maybe it poses a ‘wicked problem’ process, it is with obvious concern and in the health sector. passion that the poor availability of The challenge for treatment delivery treatment, especially residential treatment, is that many of those needing it would has been vehemently highlighted by rather stick hot needles in their eyes our colleagues at the Law Commission. than admit they need help. They will And that’s just for alcohol. I think we often do everything else and blame every need to take that as a slight slap in the other illness (including mental illness) face for the treatment sector and not before seeking or accepting treatment. quietly do the most famous of Kiwi My solution is to promote treatment tricks – try to blame it on our masters. as a sensible, available, useful, practical, Have I mentioned P yet? timely and friendly option, explaining Well, one quick jab. We have been what it entails and, if you like, prancing around talking about P as destigmatising it to those who want though we knew something, all the time and need it. missing the opportunity to exert some I am not suggesting destigmatisation influence by putting our stamp on the as with the mental health model. This is media storm already in place. So what not mental health in that sense. I’m happens instead? People with a desire saying, let’s promote access to treatment for attention, disguised as concern, across the country at all levels of sweep the floor of the P debate. severity and need. ‘Suckers’, is all I can say about us. Of course there needs to be treatment And I wonder about the wisdom and services to go to, but let’s not hide value of spending what little political behind that old kernel. If the obvious and media attention we manage to get demand is there, it will be a LOT easier pillorying the ‘vile liquor industry’ and to build capacity. touting 5+ as if it were the answer to Let’s all get back in the treatment all our problems. If it is all about the waka, please. More people to more industry, how come so many people treatment, thank you. become addicted to other substances and behaviours? You can comment on Michael’s guest editorial on our new-look website, What I suggest, to myself first and www.drugfoundation.org.nz, or directly to anybody that wants to have a think Michael at [email protected]. about what I am saying, is maybe a 12+

24 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Making sense of Mexico’s ‘drug wars’

The gruesome headlines have become all too familiar: beheadings, mutilated corpses and human remains found in barrels of acid. The fallout from Mexico’s so-called drug wars continues unabated. The international media remains fixated on sensational incidents while reinforcing simplistic notions about the causes. Sanji Gunasekara looks at what is really going on in Mexico and why.

A man lies dead next to a federal police car in Monterrey, Mexico. AP Photo

Since December 2006, more than 10,000 Colombian cocaine smuggling routes people – police, soldiers, gangsters and through the Caribbean that saw Mexican civilians – have died across Mexico in gangs move into cocaine and, in the shootouts, bombings, assassinations, process, become enormously powerful kidnappings and torture that evoke cartels. scenes from the worst of Iraq. Yet, This occurred in the context of curiously, there has been little serious significant domestic political upheaval attempt to understand how and why as Mexico sought to make the transition Sanji things got so violent. Getting to grips from long-term domination by the Gunasekara with what is happening in Mexico, the 12th largest economy in the world, requires an understanding of the Much of the violence stems political, economic and social context from what is essentially a ‘turf underlying the violence, including a war’ between rival cartels in a close look at the role played by the US. contest for the lucrative drug Drug trafficking through Mexico is nothing new, with small-time gangs trafficking routes… and driven having long trafficked marijuana and by the US’s insatiable demand heroin across the border. Ironically, for drugs. it was US success in shutting down www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 25 AP Photo AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini AP Photo/RussellChan

Police officers gather next to a dead man killed Seized weapons from alleged members of the A Mexican Navy sailor stands guard as seized drug during a shootout in Monterrey, Mexico, Tuesday, Beltran Leyva drug cartel are taken away by a is burned in the port town of Progreso, Mexico. 14 July 2009. In the northern city of Monterrey, federal agent. At least a ton of cocaine found inside frozen six gunmen were killed in crossfire with federal sharks was incinerated by the Mexican Navy. police, three of whom were wounded.

Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), trafficking gangs. throwing gasoline on a fire or swinging a to a more pluralist and democratic state. “Faced with the carrot of bribes and baseball bat at a hornets’ nest. Calderon Old systems of patronage and protection the stick of death, even the most also stepped up efforts to reform the were shaken up, and the drug cartels incorruptible is going to be cautious in police, courts and local government, a swiftly exploited the weaknesses of the executing operations against the cartels,” process expected to take several years. state, most notably an ineffective police notes Stratfor, a global intelligence The escalating violence in Mexico force, fragmented legal system and organisation. has prompted increasing concern in the flawed judicial system. In response to the rising crime and US, which has stepped up efforts to Much of the violence stems from drug-related violence, President Calderon protect its borders. In 2008, the US what is essentially a ‘turf war’ between launched a full frontal war on crime at pledged US$1.4 billion towards the rival cartels for the lucrative drug the end of 2006. Merida Initiative, a security co-operation trafficking routes, worth an estimated and assistance project for Mexico and US$30 billion annually and driven by other countries in Central America. the US’s insatiable demand for drugs. Worryingly, there are strong Under this project, Mexico is receiving In the border city of Juarez, for example, signs the US administration Blackhawk assault helicopters and the Sinaloa and Gulf cartels battled to surveillance aircraft, as well as training wrest control from the homegrown continues to support a hard- in policing, forensic, penal and judicial Juarez cartel. line war on drugs in Mexico. practices. Corruption has been a major A recent report by the US military impediment to the struggle against the named Mexico and Pakistan as the two cartels, and it extends to the very highest Central to his strategy was the nations most likely to undergo “rapid levels. In 2008, a former federal anti- deployment of 45,000 soldiers and 5,000 collapse” with serious ramifications for drug czar was arrested and charged with federal police officers. The policy was homeland security. Although these taking US $450,000 to feed intelligence associated with a spike in violence as claims were widely derided, the drug- to a major drug cartel. In May this year, the drug cartels escalated attacks on each related violence in Mexico is still 27 high-ranking officials, including 10 other and anybody else who stood in viewed primarily through a security lens mayors, a judge and an aide to the state their way. in Washington. President Obama’s first governor of Michoacan, were arrested on Critics have argued that deploying meeting with a foreign head of state was suspicion of collaborating with drug the army to stop the violence was like with President Calderon, where the two

26 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz AP Photo/Guillermo Arias AP Photo/Guillermo Quadratin AP Photo/Agancia AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini

Packages containing marijuana are displayed Police found the bound, blindfolded and tortured Alleged members of the Beltran Leyva drug cartel to the media in Tijuana, Mexico. About 2,920 bodies of at least a dozen people. are presented by federal agents in Mexico City. kilograms of marijuana were seized during an operation at the Tijuana-Mexicali highway.

leaders pledged to explore even closer attacking the narcotics trade in Mexico, driving up prices and profits for security co-operation. says, “By supporting the Calderon remaining traffickers. During a visit to Mexico earlier this administration in their fight with the “We are never going to make the year, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cartels, we’re keeping it from becoming problem go away by making drugs admitted for the first time that US a fight on US soil.” more valuable,” he says. demand for illegal drugs and its role as During her recent visit, Clinton Furthermore, Tree says the drug chief supplier of military-style assault promised Mexico more money for economy evolves under Darwinian weapons were fuelling the wave of additional assault helicopters and gave principles, becoming more efficient, Calderon’s militaristic approach a innovative and adaptive with time. ringing endorsement. A US narcotics Of the violence in Mexico, Tree says, Mexico has just approved control report even concluded that “It was utterly foolish of Calderon to get a Bill decriminalising the “the increase in violence may be due in the middle of a cartel turf war. Those possession of small amounts to the success of President Calderon’s people are all about making money, and aggressive anti-crime campaign.” the violence isn’t going to decline until of all drugs for personal use. US doublespeak has led one journalist the cartels reach a modus vivendi among How this will impact on the to conclude that, “Obama’s government themselves. There are rumours they are violence is unclear. is sending the message of health for trying to do that; they want the killing Americans, war for Mexicans.” to stop so they can get back to business.” At the core of the violence is the Compounding matters are the huge violent killings in Mexico. This appears issue of economics – or more socioeconomic inequalities in Mexico. to mark a significant change in attitude specifically, prohibition economics. Many involved on the lower rungs of from one of finger pointing to one of According to Sanho Tree, a drug policy the drugs trade just want to escape the shared responsibility for a bilateral analyst from the Washington-based poverty that afflicts half of Mexico’s problem. Institute for Policy Studies, it is existing 104 million people. Despite having the But worryingly, there are strong signs policies that have made drug trafficking fourth highest number of millionaires the US administration continues to such a lucrative endeavour. The war on in the world, over 20 million survive support a hard-line war on drugs in drugs has eliminated competition and on US$2 or less per day. Mexico. Arizona Attorney General Terry attempted to constrict supply while As a party to the North American Goddhard, an aggressive advocate of demand remains constant, thereby Free Trade Agreement and one of the www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 27 AP Photo/Javier Verdin AP Photo/Javier AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini Arias AP Photo/Guillermo

Police officers stand around a bullet-riddled Seized weapons from alleged members of the Army soldiers stand guard by US citizen Eduardo police vehicle in which an officer was slain after Beltran Leyva drug cartel, back, are presented Morquecho, aka ‘El Lalo’, as he is shown to the unknown gunmen opened fire on at least two by federal agents during a press conference in press, along with drugs, guns, and equipment police stations in Acapulco, Mexico, 8 June 2009. Mexico City. seized from him during his arrest in Tijuana, Two police officers were shot dead and two Mexico, 10 July 2009. others were injured in the attack, which came two days after a four-hour battle that left 16 gunmen and two soldiers dead.

largest US trade partners, Mexico is continued voracious appetite for illicit particularly vulnerable to the financial drugs across the border to the north, the crisis. Some activists argue that Calderon’s overarching legal framework of global war on drugs and the militarisation of prohibition and continued US support Mexican society is part of an attempt to for Calderon’s militaristic approach, forestall a mass mobilisation against many fear the violence on the streets growing economic inequality and of Mexico is set to continue. political corruption. Rather than Mexico is not a failed state. It is deploying the military on the grounds of a tragic case of the results of failed public security, they argue that what are policies – on both sides of the border. needed are better policies in housing, education, healthcare and employment, Sanji Gunasekara is the Drug Foundation’s and for the US to implement more Senior Policy Analyst. effective demand reduction strategies. Despite the two faces of US drug policy, the mood across Latin America appears to be shifting decisively in MEXICO favour of reform. The Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy, UNITED STATES convened by former presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, argues that prohibition has failed and has called MEXICO for a broad debate about alternative GULF OF MEXICO strategies. PACIFIC OCEAN MEXICO Interestingly, Mexico has just CITY approved a Bill decriminalising the 0 500 km BELIZE possession of small amounts of all drugs 0 500 miles GUATEMALA for personal use. How this will impact on the violence is unclear. Given the

28 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Research Update

Substances we ask about

Alcohol Driving high: Findings Cannabis Amphetamines/ methamphetamines from the Great LSD/hallucinogens Ecstasy Cocaine New Zealand Drug- Ketamine GHB type substances Driving Survey Heroin Methadone Other opiates (morphine, codeine, homebake) Prescription stimulants (Ritalin, methylphenidate, Are New Zealanders driving high to avoid getting dexamphetamine) caught driving drunk? What do people think about Benzodiazepines (Valium, their ability to drive under the influence of various Serapax, Temazepam) BZP party pills drugs? Will roadside drug testing make any BZP-free party pills difference? To find answers to these and other Substance combinations (two or more substances questions, the Drug Foundation recently conducted taken on the same occasion) the Great New Zealand Drug-Driving Survey. Kate Hammond reports on initial findings.

Try this. Stand up, raise one leg off the New Zealand. With funding from the ground in front of you while keeping Interagency Committee on Drugs, we your raised leg straight. Keep your arms launched an online survey of drivers and by your sides and count to 1,030, asked about their drug-driving behaviour, starting from 1,000. Don’t hop, keep attitudes and understanding. Nearly 1,200 your arms down, keep your foot New Zealanders logged in to anonymously elevated, don’t wobble, keep counting. tell us whether they had ever driven This is one of several tasks you could under the influence of illicit, legal or Kate be asked to perform on the roadside prescription drugs, what they thought Hammond from December this year if a police about drug-driving and whether they felt officer suspects you are driving under roadside drug testing was a good idea. The the influence of an illicit drug or research will help inform the development prescription medicine. The passing of of prevention initiatives and resources. the Land Transport Amendment Act in The following is a brief overview of just June means police will have the power some of the key findings from the study. to conduct a compulsory impairment You can download the full report from test (CIT) on drivers. www.drugdrivingsurvey.org.nz. Failure to satisfactorily complete a CIT is taken as evidence of impairment, Driving under the influence and the driver is then required to We wanted to get an idea of how big provide an evidential blood sample. a problem drug-driving might be, so Detection of any quantity of drugs in the drivers were asked whether they had blood will result in a charge of driving driven under the influence of a variety while impaired and with evidence in the of illicit, legal and prescription drugs bloodstream of a controlled drug or in the previous 12 months. Almost a prescription medicine. quarter (24.5%) of drivers admitted The introduction of the Land driving under the influence of cannabis. Transport Amendment Bill (No 4) into In fact, cannabis-driving was more Parliament inspired the Drug Foundation prevalent than drink-driving (21.4%) to find out more about drug-driving in (margin of error 2.9%). Driving under www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 29 the influence of alcohol mixed with examined blood samples from injured under the influence of all the different other substances (11.6%) was the next or deceased drivers after crashes have drugs surveyed on a scale from 1 (safe) most common drug-driving behaviour, found that drivers with evidence of to 5 (dangerous). All substances were usually involving alcohol and cannabis active tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in rated at the dangerous end of the scale. (69.7% of drug combination drivers). their blood are more likely to be at fault. However, there was some variation Driving under the influence of substances Experimental studies of cannabis between drugs. Cannabis was rated as other than cannabis or alcohol was impairment involving simulators or the least dangerous substance, while relatively uncommon, with between 0.2% on-road driving tests have produced alcohol was the substance rated as most and 5.6% of the sample having done so. consistent evidence for cannabis dangerous for driving. Overall, males were more likely to impairment. Drivers in these studies, We also looked at how drug users have drug-driven than females, but this who were dosed with cannabis, were who had driven under the influence of difference was only statistically more likely to drift or weave across drugs in the previous 12 months rated significant for alcohol, cannabis and lanes, have slower reaction times, have the risks compared with drug users who drug combinations. The frequency of collisions and drive more slowly. had not driven in the past 12 months. substance use also seems to be linked Suggestions that slower driving might Drug-drivers perceived the effects of with the likelihood of drug-driving. compensate for cannabis impairment drugs to be less dangerous for driving For 13 of the 16 substances surveyed, have been refuted. In fact, drivers under than drug users who had not driven the more often a drug was used, the the influence of cannabis cease to under the influence. Understanding why more likely the user had driven under compensate for their impairment well some drug users choose to drive under its influence in the previous 12 months. before the impairing effects of cannabis the influence and others do not could be This would suggest that frequent or have worn off. key to designing prevention programmes. dependent drug users could be at Changing drug users’ attitudes towards increased risk of drug-driving. the risks of drug-driving might influence Addressing dependence issues could Almost a quarter of their drug-driving behaviours. therefore be an important part of drivers admitted driving So what does this all mean? drug-driving prevention and treatment. under the influence of One of the key findings from our Effects of drugs on driving ability cannabis. In fact, cannabis- research was that driving under the We were interested to know what driving was more prevalent influence of cannabis was the most drug-drivers thought about the effects than drink-driving. common drug-driving behaviour within of their own drug use on their driving our sample, even more prevalent than ability, so we asked about the last time drink-driving. The majority of cannabis they drove under the influence of the drivers perceived no change in their Our finding that respondents drugs. There was considerable variation ability to drive when under the recognised the negative impact of in the way they perceived different influence, while some even thought their multiple substance use on their driving drugs affected driving ability. All driving was slightly better. We know is consistent with other research. The poly-drug-drivers thought their driving from increasing amounts of research most commonly reported substance was ‘a lot worse’ the last time they evidence that driving under the influence drove under the influence of a drug combination, alcohol and cannabis, has been demonstrated to be the most of cannabis is a road safety issue. The combination. However, for most other prevalence of this behaviour, paired with substances, drug-drivers reported prevalent and impairing combination in cannabis users’ attitudes towards driving ‘no change’ in their driving ability. other studies. Relatively low doses of under the influence in this study, As the most prevalent drug-driving alcohol and cannabis have a cumulative indicate that cannabis driving might group, cannabis drivers’ perceptions effect, creating greater impairment than be the drug-driving behaviour of most of drug impairment were of particular either drug alone at the same doses, and concern for road safety in New Zealand. interest. The majority (56.4%) of alcohol appears to neutralise the effect of cannabis drivers reported there was reduced driving speed associated with Drug-drivers appear to evaluate the cannabis alone. This indicates that ‘no change’ in their driving ability after risks of drug-driving differently from drug alcohol/cannabis combinations create using cannabis, with approximately users who do not drive under the influence. a ‘worst of both’ situation in terms of equal numbers reporting their driving Figuring out why and how these two driving impairment. was ‘slightly worse’ (19.3%) and groups of drug users have different ‘slightly better’ (16.4%). What did respondents think about attitudes towards drug-driving could These varied perceptions reflect the drug-driving in general? be the key when designing effective complex nature of cannabis impairment. Our study also aimed to evaluate drug-driving prevention initiatives. However, as evidence grows and we what drivers thought, felt and knew learn more, it is becoming clear that about drug-driving in general. We asked Kate Hammond is the Drug Foundation’s cannabis has a detrimental effect on respondents to rate how safe or Researcher. driving ability. Researchers who have dangerous they thought it was to drive

30 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz New Zealand News Quotes of Substance

Medicinal Labour Health During her trial, police Our provisional view marijuana bid fails Spokesperson Ruth Dyson said if Danby and McKinney is that current sentencing said the prescription drugs had not sold any cannabis levels sometimes go were “horrifically expensive”, over the last 13 months, they beyond the levels that and although there were would have had to have are justified by the problems with the Bill the smoked more than 8,300 seriousness of individual select committee should have cannabis joints, which was offences. We have a chance to consider it. almost 20 a day. compared them with the In sentencing Danby, starting points for other Dear old Danby’s Judge Rollo said the most serious crimes such as NZPA/Andrew Labett NZPA/Andrew dealing days are done telling piece of evidence rape and grievous bodily The Green Party’s three-year harm and we want to Great grandmother police collected was her campaign to allow cannabis know what other people Dawn Danby, 71, has been diary, detailing harvest yields use for medicinal purposes think about comparative sentenced at Tauranga District as far back as September 2004, has come to grief in levels of sentences. Court to a year’s home growing methods, tick-lists of Parliament. The party’s Bill detention and 300 hours customer debts and payments, Andrew Ashworth, Chairman was voted down on its first community work on charges of and lists of products used to of the Sentencing Advisory reading, 86–34 on a growing, selling and possessing boost growth. Panel (UK). conscience vote. cannabis for supply. The Bill’s promoter, Now, police also want to Metiria Turei, pleaded with Lying Man? take her Paeroa home. They Although post- MPs to let it through to the Claims by an employee of want it forfeited to the Crown decriminalisation usage Health Committee, which Zion Wildlife Gardens that at a proceeds of crime hearing. rates have remained could hear evidence of how Lion Man Craig Busch Danby, a typical roughly the same or even cannabis eased the suffering smoked marijuana while grandmother with walking decreased slightly when of seriously ill people. handling lions have been stick and glasses, said the compared with other “Many people already use categorically denied by prospect of losing her home EU states, drug-related it, and they live in real fear of Mr Busch. was “like a bad dream”. pathologies – such as the law. Sick and vulnerable Carpenter John Davis, who “It is ridiculous. It’s crazy sexually transmitted New Zealanders are being worked at the park, said he and out of all proportion.” diseases and deaths due would resign if Mr Busch was jailed. Let MPs hear their Despite her convictions, to drug usage – have re-instated as an employee. stories, let these people have Danby maintains she never decreased dramatically. He was giving evidence their say,” she said sold cannabis or helped Drug policy experts at an Employment Relations Under the Bill, seriously kick-start other growers’ crops attribute those positive ill people would have been by selling them plants she Authority investigative trends to the enhanced able to apply for a cannabis had cloned. meeting into Mr Busch’s ability of the Portuguese card, issued on a doctor’s She said she and her dismissal – which was Government to offer authority and registered with co-accused, 64-year-old unfolding while a handler at treatment programs to the police, which would Douglas McKinney, her the wildlife park was mauled its citizens – allow them to grow small boarder for 23 years, needed to death by a white tiger. enhancements made amounts for personal the dope for pain relief. Mr Davis made the drug possible, for numerous medicinal use. Danby said she had not claims while being questioned reasons, by However, National MP tried cannabis until she was by Mr Busch’s lawyer, Daniel decriminalisation. Jonathan Coleman, a doctor, 66 and only did so because Erickson. He said Mr Busch Glenn Greenwald, in the said it would bring cannabis conventional medicines did was sitting down with the Cato Institute 2009 report, into mainstream society. not work on her after an lions when he last saw him Drug criminalisation in Portugal. He said doctors would be operation failed, leaving her smoking marijuana. swamped with demands for “riddled with pain”. When asked by cannabis cards from people “I needed instant pain Mr Erickson whether he insisting they were seriously relief, and you don’t get that complained to his employer ill and needed it for pain with anything. You take about Mr Busch taking relief. paracetamol or something and marijuana, which was a “You can’t make out it it takes half an hour. You take serious health and safety is a good thing, we need less cannabis and it works within issue, Mr Davis replied, drugs in society.” 15 seconds if inhaled.” “He was the management.” continued on page 34 www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 31 Health warning All Blacks trained to David Tomoana of Core recreational drug. However, over Champix deal with social risks Dynamics also works with he warned of the added risk cricketers and netballers and to ecstasy users of an impure Health authorities have said rugby players were product, which made the issued a new warning on the taught to recognise danger effects of the drug mental health risks of the signs and how to avoid unpredictable. quit-smoking pill Champix, getting themselves in a jam. “People should be aware… which was introduced to “One hour they are that what they are taking may New Zealand in 2007. gladiators, a half hour later not be pure ecstasy but a More than 3,300 people they are expected to be model mixture of methamphetamine, NZPA/Wayne Drought NZPA/Wayne were prescribed the drug, citizens. It’s not an easy ketamine and BZP.” The All Blacks are being which contains varenicline, existence, so they need as Dr Wilkins said that, while taught how to avoid much help as they can get.” the ban on BZP had been a in the first year of its use. unwanted attention from success – with fewer drug There were 22 reports women in bars and how to P use appears to users reporting its use – of people experiencing behave if someone passes be levelling out research was needed into depression for the first time them a P pipe. whether the ban had resulted P use is levelling out but after taking Champix. Other In a sign of the times, the in increased use of other drugs. ecstasy use is increasing in psychiatric and neurological New Zealand Rugby Players’ New Zealand, new research Association has gone on the symptoms were also reported, suggests. Teen smoking at new low front foot to avoid potentially and in three cases, people In the annual survey of The number of teens puffing embarrassing headlines and taking the drug thought frequent drug users, the Illicit on cigarettes has dropped to a has hired risk management about suicide. Drug Monitoring System record low, an annual survey company Core Dynamics to The majority of the new reported an increased of smoking habits shows. educate players about the cases of depression were wariness among users of But the survey report pitfalls of public life. methamphetamine-based warns that new smokefree probably caused by the Sessions include role- drugs, including P. policies are needed as the tablets, according to the plays and practical help, IDMS lead researcher impact of existing regulations Intensive Medicines such as being shown what Dr Chris Wilkins said, fades and the reduction in Monitoring Programme, drug utensils look like. “Methamphetamine is no teenage smoking rates slows. “Players have already which collected the data from longer the new drug on the Action on Smoking and told me they are being put in pharmacists and doctors. block and users of that drug Health’s Year 10 Snapshot Dr Stewart Jessamine, potentially compromising know that it can lead to Survey 2008 shows a record Group Manager of the positions at parties and in problems.” 61 percent of year 10 pupils other social settings where Ministry of Health’s Medsafe Methamphetamine had (14- and 15-year-olds) drugs are present,” said unit, said the findings also become more expensive. nationwide have never tried NZRPA Chief Executive reflected international The price of a gram of the smoking, compared with Rob Nichol. drug increased from $610 in 32 percent in 1999, when experience. “We have been teaching 2006 to $698 in 2008. the survey began. “Since the introduction our guys about the dangers of Secondary research In Wellington, the figure of Champix to New Zealand, alcohol for some time. But we echoed the respondents’ was even higher, with there have been additional thought it would be prudent belief that the use of P 66 percent of pupils saying warning statements around to move with the times and was levelling out. The they had never smoked. neuro-psychiatric side effects make sure they have the tools New Zealand National The number of regular in particular. We knew from to make good decisions.” Household Drug Survey teen smokers also dropped clinical trials it could cause Nichol said the players showed methamphetamine nationally to 12 percent, from had made sensible decisions these side effects. use in the past year had not 29 percent in 1999, while to leave when they became “The international changed. 7 percent were smoking daily. aware fellow partygoers were The study also revealed Associate Health Minister consensus of major drug in possession of illegal drugs. that more New Zealanders Tariana Turia said she was regulators was that the “We spell out the were using ecstasy, which is encouraged by the survey benefits outweighed the risks, consequences to them and easier and cheaper to buy. results but the high rates but patients should carefully it’s then up to them to make Dr Wilkins said there is among Mäori teenagers, read the information supplied sensible choices. So far a perception ecstasy is less especially girls, made it only with the product.” so good.” addictive and a safer “a good news story… not a

32 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz great news story”. After more than 30 years sector are actually having The study, using cigarette Nearly one in three Mäori of smoking, 67-year-old direct outcomes in reducing holders containing flow girls was a regular smoker, Alan Conlon had his “fingers smoking rates. My deeply meters, compared 26 people while 22 percent smoked crossed” that he wouldn’t held suspicion is that the who usually smoke rollies daily. She would be looking get lung cancer, but the more effective approach with 22 who usually smoke into what could be done to Respiragene test has identified would be to reduce tobacco factory-mades. bring those figures down. him as very high risk. supply in the first place.” In their paper, the Mr Conlon took the test Quit Group, the charitable researchers said rollies Gene test for lung cancer last year as part of the trust that runs Quitline, accounted for nearly a third of research, and a follow-up CT welcomed Turia’s comments. tobacco used in New Zealand. scan revealed a suspicious Quit Group Executive nodule on his lungs. A second Director Helen Glasgow said Boy in coma after scan three months later found the support line helped more drinking litre of spirits it had not changed but than 53,000 New Zealanders Mr Conlon intends to keep in their attempts to quit up regular testing. smoking last year. However, “They effectively saved there was no “magic bullet” my life. It’s my long-term goal for quitting. Smokers can now take a test to live to 100.” to predict their risk of getting Roll-your-own cigarettes lung cancer, using world-first dangerous money-savers technology developed by Turia wants to Kiwi researchers. roll a tax rise Roll-your-own smokes A 13-year-old boy was sent The test, which will cost could be even more harmful to hospital in a coma after $275, was developed from than factory-made cigarettes downing a one-litre bottle of research carried out by because people suck them 35 percent proof Jagermeister Associate Professor Robert harder and more efficiently, at a snow sports junior Young and Auckland Christchurch research training camp in Wanaka. University colleagues. indicates. In what is believed to But smokers who find In the first comparison be a peer-pressure drinking themselves at the lower end between the two types of incident, the boy consumed NZPA/Ross Setford NZPA/Ross of the risk scale have been smoking using people rather an amount equivalent to A tax rise on roll-your-own warned they should not see it than smoking machines, the 28 standard drinks. cigarettes is needed to combat as an excuse “to happily go study suggests rollies are Wanaka police were youth smoking rates, on smoking”. “apparently no less and investigating an alleged theft Associate Health Minister Dr Young said the test, possibly more dangerous” of a bottle of alcohol from the Tariana Turia says. which goes by the trade than factory-made cigarettes. bar of a backpackers. Speaking at the Mäori name Respiragene, combined Public health specialist Constable Greg Nolet said Tobacco Intelligence Summit clinical risk factors, such Dr Murray Laugesen and his reports indicated the boy had as age, chronic obstructive in Wellington, the Mäori co-researchers found roll- drunk the bottle of spirits pulmonary disease and family Party co-leader also proposed your-own smokers inhaled after it was produced by history of lung cancer, with bans on the placement of 28 percent more smoke per another boy. DNA obtained through tobacco products near tills filtered cigarette, even though “People at some stage mouth swabs. and duty-free tobacco, and a the rollies contained less needed to be held responsible “Research suggests many review of quit-smoking tobacco. for the consequences of peer smokers have an ‘optimistic programmes. “Whereas a smoker of pressure,” he said. bias’, believing bad outcomes About 50 percent of Kiwi factory-mades lets a lot of happen to other people rather smokers use roll-your-own the smoke go up in the air, Research into Kiwi than themselves. The majority tobacco, and Turia said she these roll-your-own smokers drug knowledge of smokers do not think they was “unconvinced” targeted suck like crazy and don’t let The Ministry of Health has are at risk of lung cancer. programmes were reducing so much be wasted,” commissioned research into “There is no such thing as smoking rates. Dr Laugesen said yesterday. attitudes and knowledge low risk. Everybody should “I want to know whether “They’re getting more value about illegal drugs in quit and there are some people high-quality cessation support out of the tobacco ­– and New Zealand. The research, at the very high-risk end.” services across the health more harm.” carried out by consultancy www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 33 Quotes of Substance

Cannabis is a gateway firms Acqumen and UMR, Otago waiting lists only funded for 238 – meant drug… a gateway to included interviews with and CADS had to concentrate on becoming President. surveys of both experienced those with the more serious drug users and the general problems. Sanho Tree from the Institute public. People with mild of Policy Studies, says every The research sought to problems needed help too US president since 1993 has understand how because they could still alter admitted using cannabis. New Zealanders viewed their behaviour. illegal drugs, the reasons why “We are turning away the people used drugs, the risks This sudden desire very people we could probably and harms associated with A lack of services for Otago do the most qualitative work to fix up loss-leading is offenders with low-level because they don’t want their use and the level of with,” he said. drug and alcohol problems the public to look at their knowledge about their threatens the integrity of some practices. impacts. Tiny pill may deal to P The report highlights sentences and could put Labour’s Justice Spokesperson Desperate addicts could be public concern about drug use public safety at risk, a Dunedin given new hope in their battle Lianne Dalziel comments on and found the majority of District Court judge says. to kick P. decisions by leading those surveyed viewed drug Judge Stephen O’Driscoll Researchers hope supermarket companies misuse as a community issue called on Community Alcohol methylphenidate, a drug Foodstuffs and Progressive requiring active community and Drugs Service (CADS) being trialled on the North Enterprises to stop selling support rather than an and probation service staff to Shore, will work in a similar alcohol below cost as a individual problem. explain why there was a way to methadone on opiates, ‘loss-leader’, after claims the The two drugs most six-month waiting list and or nicorette on nicotine, and cheap deals lead to alcohol commonly identified were what was being done about it. ease P addicts’ cravings. abuse. She said independent cannabis and CADS representatives told Waitemata District Health bottle store owners had told methamphetamine, with the court that people with Board Knowledge Centre her they could buy beer more 94 percent of those surveyed milder problems were having Director Wayne Miles says he cheaply from their local considering to wait because increased is eager to shed light on how supermarket than from their methamphetamine to be the referrals and more methadone to beat a P addiction. regular wholesaler. most harmful drug in clients had put pressure on “The people that I’ve seen, New Zealand. There was a the service. they’re desperate. Many have perception that people were Judge O’Driscoll said most The ADF makes its starting to use drugs at an tried to stop, but back it comes. people who passed through own policy decisions earlier age and that drugs And yet they have an awareness the criminal justice system and decides which were readily available to it’s ruining their lives.” had problems with alcohol issues it will promote, young people. So far, about 20 addicts have and/or drugs, but it was and when it will do so. Parents saw themselves signed up for the trial being run meaningless sentencing We have advocated as important in passing on by Miles and his team. They someone to get help when action on RTDs for information to their children take either methylphenidate help was not available. several years and we and called for accurate or a placebo drug every day, “And there’s a public have supported the information on drugs, how to which is administered in pill safety issue when you have present government’s identify if their child had a form. A urine test every week excise on [the category] problem and where to get help. drink-drivers who say they is used to check for the because we think it is The research forms part of want help and assistance but presence of methamphetamine worthwhile. the development of a demand they can’t get any. Their in their system. Australian Drug Foundation reduction programme for motivation is highest when Several drugs have been National Policy Manager illegal drugs, which aims to they are facing court action.” trialled in an effort to counter Geoff Munroe denies the improve public awareness of, CADS Manager Tony methamphetamine addiction, body is actively promoting access to and utilisation of Martin told Judge O’Driscoll but none so far have produced the Australian Federal resources that seek to reduce the service was overstretched. results. Government’s RTD tax hike the demand for and harms A 25 percent increase in Mr Miles’s trial is part of bill to secure funding from illegal drugs. referrals this year and more a follow-up to a successful increases. The report is available than 300 people on its methylphenidate trial by at the National Drug Policy specialist methadone Finnish researcher continued on page 35 website: www.ndp.govt.nz. programme – when it was Jari Tiihonen.

34 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance

It found patients given the Mrs Ford said It is illegal for individual Colbert: drug had significantly fewer New Zealand should follow retailers to discount cigarettes, Ethan, you say we amphetamine-positive urine other jurisdictions, Australia but supply companies can should legalise drugs samples than those who were included, where impairment make country-wide price and that would solve all given a placebo. testing was not necessary for adjustments. of our problems. Go on, a conviction of driving under Tobacco giant British sell me the idea of giving Killer drivers on drugs will the influence. American Tobacco (BAT) said weed to my kids… “A forensic scientist can its national price cut was in go free – daughter Nadelmann: testify… there’s also response to similar moves by confessions… like in my competitors. However, BAT’s Nobody wants to give anything to your kids… mother’s case, and witness main competitor, Imperial but 50 percent of statements. It just involves a Tobacco, told Radio Americans are saying little bit more police work.” New Zealand it had also treat [marijuana] like Transport Minister Steven lowered its prices as a result alcohol… We should Joyce could not explain why of moves by the competition. have the debate. benzodiazepine had been left Mr Youdan said it is out of the law. typical that neither company Colbert: “That’s the way the A woman whose mother was is willing to take responsibility Treat it like alcohol? Labour Government drafted it, killed by a driver on drugs for increasing the number of You can’t compare and that’s how it came back says 90 percent of fatal customers they are going to alcohol to drugs. from the select committee, crashes involving drugs will be killing this year. Alcohol is not a drug. but I will have to check not be prosecuted under new A complaint had been laid It’s a delicious liquid whether that was intended.” legislation. with the Ministry of Health, that makes you exciting National has promoted the She went on a 140-hour he said. and courageous. Bill as a way to strengthen road hunger strike to protest From The Colbert Report: safety laws by creating a crime against what she says are an interview between for driving under the influence Debate over P DVD apparent loopholes – one of drugs. It replaces the old test Stephen Colbert and hour for each person killed of being incapable of proper Ethan Nadelmann, Executive by drugged drivers on control of a motor vehicle. Director of America’s Drug New Zealand roads each year. Policy Alliance. Rachael Ford’s mother, Mary Radley, died in a crash Cigarette price cuts “underhanded and cynical” in 2004 after a drugged driver We have created a ploughed into her car at licensing system that Koromiko near Picton. essentially privileges The man admitted driving Whangarei retailer Brett the individual economic under the influence of Sawyers, who was taken interest, and literally methadone and benzodiazepine, hostage by a female P addict any idiot can get a a tranquilising drug he had shot dead by police last year, licence. plans to send a hard-hitting obtained illegally. Mrs Ford Victorian Police Chief DVD to 55,000 Northland said that, under the new crime Commissioner Simon Overland homes to educate families of driving while impaired by Cigarette companies are criticises the Australian state’s drugs, set out in the Land about the effects of using ‘loopholes’ in liquor licensing regime that Transport Amendment Bill methamphetamine. legislation to cut prices and seems oblivious to any before Parliament, he would The DVD, titled Welcome reverse smokers’ quit rates, correlation between alcohol not be punished for driving to the Ice Age, is made by anti-smoking groups say. availability and harm. under the influence. Action on Smoking and former police detective Mike Prosecutions for drug Health Director Ben Youdan Sabin, who runs Methcon, driving, except for Class A said the recent lowering of the an anti-methamphetamine drugs, are not possible price of some brands at the consultancy. without a driver impairment bottom end of the tobacco The project will cost about test and a blood test, but market was an “underhand $400,000, and the men see it drivers hurt in an accident and cynical attempt to as a ground-breaking effort cannot be made to take the discourage people from that will make Northland impairment test. quitting smoking”. a leader in methamphetamine continued on page 38 www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 35 World News prevention education. Doing digital drugs Health group seeks “We welcome the The DVD features tougher drink laws combined efforts and seek to be part of the solutions, to interviews with former meth A new Australian lobby group addicts and medical and is pushing for tighter rules on address the potential negative impacts of alcohol misuse.” health experts and includes alcohol advertising to combat The meeting came as graphic images of the effects the AUD15 billion cost of Health Minister Nicola of the drug, taken largely from heavy drinking. Roxon’s office released figures US media campaigns such as The 21 public health casting doubt on claims about the Montana Meth Project. groups forming the National the lack of effectiveness of However, Drug Foundation Coalition for Action on We all know music can alter the tax made by alcopops Executive Director Ross Bell Alcohol Harm met in your mood. Sad songs can producer Independent said the idea was a waste of Canberra yesterday and make you cry. Upbeat songs Distillers. money, did not provide pushed for a suite of changes may give you energy. But can The distiller said sales of solutions and could possibly to the alcohol industry. music create the same effects hard liquor rose 17 percent be counter-productive. The new group is pushing as illegal drugs? while beer sales were up A recent critical review of for a volumetric tax, labelling 8 percent following the the Montana Meth Project in Videos of people claiming it a ‘harm-based tax’, which introduction of the tax. But the peer-reviewed journal to experience the high of would be dependent on Ms Roxon’s office cited budget Prevention Science found that digital drugs are popping up alcohol volume, but with papers showing alcopop sales the organisation had grossly all over YouTube. Their special provisions for alcohol fell 35 percent and overall misrepresented its findings. ‘dealer’ is a website called products that cause particular spirits fell 8 percent. Far from being successful, i-Doser.com. It features harm. the campaign was actually downloadable doses of The group also has alcohol Can amphetamines help associated with increases in notorious drugs, claiming advertising in its sights cure cocaine addiction? the acceptability of using each will give the user a high following recent controversies When methadone was first methamphetamine and through binaural brainwave including the VB sponsorship proposed as a treatment for decreases in the perceived technology. of the Australian cricket side, heroin addiction, it sounded danger of using drugs. Lisa Sanders, Assistant which this month farewelled like a pointless gambit – sort “Mike Sabin’s eagerness Professor at the University all-rounder Andrew Symonds of like substituting vodka for for a hard-hitting drug of Massachusetts, says these following booze-related gin. That’s enabling addicts, education DVD reflects his controversies. binary tones have been used critics said, not helping them. ongoing denial of the research This month also saw the for years to induce meditation But over the years, evidence about the launch of Skinny Blonde and treat anxiety, but can they methadone treatment has effectiveness of graphic social bottles that reveal a naked actually induce a psychedelic proved more successful than marketing. This is unfortunate woman as the temperature of high? any other heroin-addiction but perhaps understandable. the product rises. “All of our experiences therapy in getting people off Mr Sabin may call himself a “If you look at some of the affect our brains just like illicit drugs and lowering HIV drug educator, but he is first adverts, some clearly breach chemicals affect our brains, so transmission rates, crime and and foremost a businessman. their own guidelines about it’s not impossible, but given death among users. The Methcon Group, of which not associating alcohol with the evidence that’s out there That success has got Mr Sabin is Managing success, sexual success, now, I’d say it’s very unlikely.” researchers wondering Director, is a commercial business success,” said The digital drugs, known whether addiction to other enterprise that seeks to make National Drug Research drugs – namely to the as ‘i-dosers’, come in many profits from providing drug Institute Director Steve stimulants cocaine and varieties. Some purportedly education, advice and training Allsop. methamphetamine – could be mimic the effects of LSD, programmes relating to But the alcohol industry curbed by substituting a crack, heroin and other hard methamphetamine. played down the need for chemically similar alternative. drugs. Some are of a sexual “In these difficult regulatory change. A “It’s an idea that really economic times, we should nature or even supposedly spokesperson for Foster’s does need to be rigorously ensure that precious resources simulate heaven and hell. Group, Australia’s largest evaluated,” says Frank Vocci, are spent on solutions that They’re certainly a alcohol producer, said most Director of Pharmacotherapy have been proved to be cheaper alternative. A dose consumers enjoy in at the National Institute on effective, not on the misguided of digital LSD, for example, moderation and most alcohol Drug Abuse (NIDA). “But hype of vested interests.” costs just US$4.50 (NZ$6.99). producers behave responsibly. right now, there is more

36 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz discussion than data.” more cocaine.” ‘zero cocaine, not zero coca’, 20, who were aged between To date, research has It produces excitement, which has brought it into 35 and 48. been mixed but intriguing. not relaxation, and the conflict with the US and According to human rights The best-studied drugs so far concern is that a maintenance with the United Nations’ group Amnesty International, are dexamphetamine, a form drug would have the same international drug control Iran applied the death penalty of amphetamine contained escalating effect. apparatus. to 346 people last year, in anti-hyperactivity drugs, The newer stimulant drug carrying out more executions and modafinil, used to treat modafinil does not carry the China executes than any other country apart narcolepsy. same addiction risk as 20 to celebrate from China. One British study amphetamines, making it a UN anti-drug day followed 60 stimulant addicts promising alternative as a Reports say at least 20 Obama signs tobacco who were treated with maintenance drug, but it’s people were executed in regulation Bill dexamphetamine compared also less effective in treating China on 26 June, the UN’s to120 heroin addicts being the most severe addictions. International Day Against treated with methadone. Drug Abuse and Illicit In both groups, about two- Carter to harvest coca as Trafficking. On this date, thirds of patients stopped peanut-picking payback China has traditionally injecting over 10 months. executed and sentenced Another trial in Australia convicted drug traffickers followed 30 cocaine injectors, to illustrate its resolve in 16 of whom were treated with fighting the scourge. dexamphetamine and 14 with Meanwhile, Chinese US President Barack Obama a placebo. Cocaine-positive police have destroyed six has signed into law legislation urine tests in the tonnes of heroin, opium and giving the Food and Drug dexamphetamine group fell hemp smuggled in from Administration (FDA) from 94 percent to 56 percent, AFP/Getty Images Afghanistan and Pakistan. authority to regulate tobacco Jimmy Carter has accepted while the placebo group Courts across China handled products for the first time. an invitation from Bolivian showed no change. more than 14,000 drug-related The new law – supported President Evo Morales to go But there are reasons cases between January and for years by health, education pick coca on Morales’s farm why stimulant maintenance May, up 12 percent from the and religious organisations, treatment has not been in the Chapare. The stop was same period last year. Nearly while being opposed by many studied more extensively. part of a nine-day trip to 6,400 people have been groups affiliated with the For one, high doses of Latin America by the Nobel convicted of drug crimes and tobacco industry – enables amphetamines can cause Peace Prize-winning former received sentences ranging the FDA to control the brain damage, psychosis, US President. from five years in jail to death. manufacture, promotion and heart attack and stroke. Morales, a former coca State media reports sale of such products as The consequences of high- grower union leader, launched cited authorities saying cigarettes and chewing tobacco. dose use are important, since the invitation amidst smiles at ‘designer’ drugs such as The Southern Baptist addicts in treatment often try a press conference following methamphetamine, ecstasy Ethics and Religious Liberty at least once to use illegal a private meeting with the and ketamine were emerging Commission and other drugs on top of their ex-President, saying that he had as a new and dangerous advocates for the new law maintenance drug. a long friendship with Carter, segment of the drug market. applauded the Bill’s Another problem is that who had invited him to pick The drugs were gaining enactment. Vice President stimulants appear to increase peanuts on his Georgia farm. popularity among newly users’ desire subjectively, Carter is scheduled to be affluent young Chinese who Barrett Duke described the rather than satisfying it. back in Bolivia in December. viewed such substance use signing as “an historic event”. While a heroin high is At that time, Bolivia will be as a status symbol. “We’re delighted we’ve calming and lasts for several undergoing general elections Meanwhile, Iran has also finally been able to come to hours, cocaine and in which Morales is seeking recently hanged 20 people for this point where the FDA is amphetamine feel different. re-election until 2015. drug trafficking. The semi- going to be regulating tobacco As actor Robin Williams, Bolivia is the world’s official Fars news agency and tobacco products in the an admitted ex-user, put it, third-largest coca producer, reported more than 700 kilos same way they regulate what “Cocaine makes you feel behind Colombia and Peru. (1,540 pounds) of drugs, is in macaroni and cheese and like a new man, and the first Under Morales, the country including heroin, cocaine and just about everything else thing the new man wants is has embarked on a policy of opium, were seized from the people consume today.” www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 37 Quotes of Substance

There is not sufficient In remarks before he of juveniles in corrective cycle’ network of indigenous- evidence [e-cigarettes] signed the Bill, Obama cited institutions. specific residential are safe products for the devastating effects of The National Indigenous rehabilitation centres for human consumption. tobacco use in the United Drug and Alcohol Committee courts to utilise as a viable States: 400,000 deaths a year alternative to incarceration; Timothy O’Leary, of the Australian National from related illnesses; an Council on Drugs (NIDAC) and developing a strategy to Communications Officer annual healthcare cost of has released a paper calling train and establish a specialist at the World Health about $100 billion; and 1,000 for action to address this indigenous workforce of Organization’s Tobacco Free new smokers under the age ‘disturbing problem’, revealing psychologists, doctors Initiative in Geneva. of 18 each day. indigenous adults are 13 times and nurses. The President spoke of his more likely to be in prison own struggle to stop smoking. I have had too many than other Australians. “Nice people take “I was one of those [politicians] tell me Associate Professor Ted drugs” goes global teenagers, and so I know how privately that they agree Wilkes, NIDAC Chair, says, difficult it can be to break this with allowing medical “It is clear current initiatives habit when it’s been with you use [of cannabis] even simply aren’t enough. It is for a long time,” Obama said. as they indicated they widely known there is a Among its provisions, would have to vote strong link between harmful against it. No matter how the new law will: alcohol and drug use, necessary humanitarian ■■ limit the advertising and offending rates and poor and cautious the Bill, promotion of tobacco health. A major rethink is products needed, and unless we they don’t want to be Drugs and humans rights ■■ crack down on tobacco address these issues, a seen as ‘pro drugs’. charity Release accused sales to minors lifecycle of offending can I can’t resist commenting advertising regulators of ■■ prohibit candy and perpetuate and span across that this doesn’t prevent censorship after its campaign fruit-flavoured cigarettes generations.” them attending drug- posters were withdrawn from ■■ ban the use of such terms The paper recommends glamorising events such London buses. as ‘light’ and ‘low tar’ as the Air New Zealand individual education support Despite the fact that not a ■■ require larger health Wine Awards. funds be launched for every single complaint was received warnings on tobacco indigenous young person and Nandor Tanczos says he is from the public, Release was packaging and in the eligibility of current angered and disgusted at the told the strapline ‘Nice People advertising diversion programs be uninterested and vicious Take Drugs’ had to be ■■ mandate tobacco changed to enable indigenous removed or altered to temper cruelty of New Zealand MPs companies to reveal the people greater access to the message. after Parliament voted contents of their products alcohol and drug treatment However, the campaign overwhelmingly to “keep ■■ empower the FDA to instead of prison. has now attracted worldwide prosecuting sick people for require such changes as Ted Wilkes said, attention for its truthful therapeutic use of cannabis”. the reduction of nicotine “Treatment is simply far more message about contemporary and the removal or effective in terms of outcomes drug use and its constructive reduction of other and costs than imprisoning I was smart enough attempt to engage politicians harmful products. people. It provides people to use pot and not get in a desperately absent with a chance of recovery, caught, and now I am on debate. Indigenous which would mean less the Supreme Court. If It has become the subject prisoners: solutions re-offending.” of bloggers, journalists and you were stupid enough for a broken system to get caught, that’s your The paper’s long-term drug policy activists problem. Your appeal is Despite government recommendations include: worldwide. Supporters are denied. investment to reduce funding community-based being asked to get together at incarceration, indigenous indigenous youth wellbeing famous landmarks to recreate Clarence Thomas, Australians have continued and activity centres with links the slogan using flash cards Supreme Court Justice, USA. to fill Australian correction to education and health that can be downloaded from systems at alarmingly services; developing a the Release website. disproportionate rates, national AOD campaign for A deck of cards has also making up almost one-quarter indigenous Australians to been produced featuring a of Australian’s prison reduce demand and supply; number of prominent continued on page 39 population and over half establishing a ‘break the politicians who have admitted

38 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Quotes of Substance to using drugs yet are still submission by Government. Journos biggest We should stop willing to criminalise others The Head of Addiction boozers, poll finds using the metaphor who have similarly Medicine at the University of about the war on drugs. experimented with substances Sydney, Paul Haber, found People look at it as a such as cannabis. the number of Medicare- war on them, and Release Chief Executive funded prescriptions of frankly we’re not at Sebastian Saville said the oxycodone, known by the war with the people of Nice People Take Drugs brand name OxyContin, had this country. campaign is about getting quadrupled across Australia Gil Kerlikowske, the Obama people to think about drug since 2000 to 1.6 million administration’s new Drug use in our society and for in 2007. Media workers are the heaviest Czar, says he wants to banish politicians to stop being so “You have to wonder if drinking professionals in the idea that the US is fighting frightened of having an open we had that much unrelieved England, each consuming the ‘a war on drugs’, a signal the debate on how to more pain,” he said. equivalent of more than four administration will follow a effectively deal with the “But if access to such bottles of wine or more than more moderate stance current situation. medicines was restricted, you 19 pints of beer a week, favouring treatment over “I believe the time has would be sending a message according to government incarceration. come where potential leaders to patients and doctors that research. Mr Kerlikowske added that of our country have much to giving out painkillers is bad, People in the profession he doesn’t support efforts to gain from real honesty about and legitimate users would drink an average of 44 units legalise drugs. He also said he drug use in the UK, including inevitably miss out.” a week, around double the supports needle-exchange their own drug use.” He said people could recommended limit, a programmes, calling them View pictures and the remain on opioids long-term Department of Health survey “part of a complete public- deck of cards at www.release. without adverse health effects has found. health model for dealing org.uk/nice-people-take-drugs. if the dose was stable, but The NHS recommended with addiction”. some required escalating maximum alcohol Addictions prompt doses, putting them at risk consumption for men is 21 painkiller policy plea of overdose. to 28 units a week – three to While we were Head of the Alcohol and four units a day. For women, sitting there, the guy Drug Service at St Vincent’s the maximum is 14–21 units we’re buying from is Hospital Alex Wodak, who is a week – two to three units smoking pot and his also an author of the report, a day. toddler comes over and Media workers also drink said oxycodone overdose he blows smoke in the 10 units more a week than the deaths in the US had toddler’s face. You go next heaviest drinking overtaken those from heroin, home at night, and you professionals – IT workers and Australia was now think of your own kids – who are closely followed by prescribing the drug at a and your own family Doctors’ groups are urging a service-sector workers at 33 similar rate to the US. and you realise the radical rethink of how opioid units, and people in finance, depth of the problem. drugs are supplied and insurance and real estate at controlled, amid evidence Lost bag US Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske’s quite a blow! 29 units. of a surge in the number of People working in career began as a Florida Australians addicted to Here’s a piece of lost luggage education, transport and undercover officer during the prescription painkillers. whose owner is unlikely to travel are the country’s most 1970s. This incident spurred The current situation – make a claim. moderate drinkers, consuming his thinking that arrests alone in which potent opioid Customs officials in an average of 24 units a week, wouldn’t fix matters. painkillers such as morphine London say someone left a although that is above the and oxycodone can be freely suitcase packed with 20kg of recommended limit for prescribed by GPs while the cocaine on a Heathrow women and around the addiction treatments Airport carousel. maximum for men. methadone and Investigator Stuart Nearly a third (29 percent) buprenorphine are highly Robinson said authorities had of media and IT workers and regulated – is irrational and yet to identify who the bag a quarter of those in the puts lives at risk, according belonged to after it arrived on finance sector said they to a report set for formal a flight from Mexico. sometimes felt pressured to continued on page 40 www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 39 Quotes of Substance

There is no medical drink by their colleagues. national team to advertise The Government has drug in use today that is Ben Willmott, a Senior beer, given the litany of hinted that it supports such without risk or potential Policy Adviser at the alcohol-related problems the measures, reiterating the for adverse side-effects, Chartered Institute of game has endured over the “significant” social, health so it does not make sense Personnel and Development, last few years. and community costs of to avoid the debate over said the findings showed how “Every time a rugby league tobacco abuse. medicinal cannabis any office culture could adversely player behaves badly, he “The National longer… Compassion is affect alcohol intake, behaves badly because he’s Preventative Health Taskforce critically important here particularly in industries affected by alcohol,” Wayne has targeted tobacco as a and that requires that where entertaining clients or Bennett noted shortly after his priority, and its report will New Zealanders have colleagues involved drinking. resignation as the Kangaroos’ assist the Australian access to the most coach in 2005. Government to reduce effective treatments “If coaches and journalists smoking rates,” said a available, even if Australian Rugby and officials think we can spokesperson for Health that treatment is League “living in a fairy world” continue to have a culture Minister Nicola Roxon. cannabis. in our game of drinking to The taskforce also Autumn’s Four Nations excess, then they live in a Drug Foundation Executive recommended plainer Rugby League series started fairy world.” Director Ross Bell on why packaging for cigarettes to dull in earnest with Australia’s The VB sponsorship, Parliament should proceed their appeal. That was opposed outrage that they may not be and, for that matter, the with a Member’s Bill on by tobacco companies, able to spread the message of XXXX logos that plaster the medicinal cannabis. which said moves to stamp Victoria Bitter into France Queensland dressing room out advertising violated during the tournament. for every State of Origin competition principles. Geoff Carr, Chief fixture, suggest the fairy Mr Daub said the industry’s Executive of the Australian world lives on. opposition was a signal the Rugby League (ARL), measures would work. thundered in the latest issue Aussie smokers of Rugby League Week happy to pay magazine: “We have a World Drug Report 2009 contract with VB which we In preparation for take very seriously and have International Day Against every intention of honouring. Drug Abuse, the United I don’t know how this is going Nations Office on Drugs and to be resolved.” Crime launched its World You would have thought Drug Report 2009 on 24 June. that someone at the ARL The report provides detailed might have noticed France’s production trend estimates on Smokers support higher ban on the use of sport to trafficking and consumption prices for cigarettes when the advertise alcohol since it in the opium/heroin, coca/ money is used to stop more was introduced four years people starting, the Public cocaine, cannabis and or so ago. Health Association of amphetamine markets. For the Maybe they did but still Australia says. first time, it includes special assumed that the mighty The anti-smoking group sections on the quality of drug Kangaroos would be exempt backs a proposal before the data available, trends in drug from a law that has forced Federal Government to raise use among young people and such sporting small-fry as the excise tax on cigarettes, police-recorded drug offences. Liverpool FC to remove the which could push the cost of It also discusses the beer logos from shirts for a packet of 30 above $20. formidable black market Champions League fixtures in “Tobacco tax is the single for drugs and how the France, and that sees rugby most effective way of international community best union’s Heineken Cup known reducing smoking,” said the can tackle it. Download the as the H Cup in France. Association’s president, Mike report at www.unodc.org/ It seems a bit bizarre, Daub. The second was public unodc/en/data-and-analysis/ too, that Australia allows its education. WDR-2009.html.

40 matters of substance August 09 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Mythbusters

Substance and Substantiation

Blown away: Defeating the breathalyser Mythbusters have some bad news for drivers keeping breath mints in their glove box for that special occasion when they’re invited to speak into the machine. Drinking and driving is bad enough, but if you think you can beat a breath test, you’re even more of a bloody idiot.

High profile enforcement is an driving. In 2003, our friends at Discovery the University of Saskatchewan’s important component of laws designed Channel’s Mythbusters tested various Department of Pharmacology. to reduce the harms from drinking and commonly suggested ways to defeat a “You would have to be blowing into driving. Breath alcohol testing gives breathalyser, including eating breath the breathalyser through a mouthful police a quick and relatively non-invasive mints, sucking on a penny, eating an of activated charcoal. The authorities way of detecting whether people are onion and drinking mouthwash. None wouldn’t allow this. They don’t driving under the influence of alcohol. were found effective. even allow you to chew gum during Yet, almost immediately since their Underlying many spurious claims these tests.” introduction, people have claimed to is a lack of understanding about how Failure to fool a breathalyser doesn’t be able to defeat such tests. testing devices work. Although breath mean that testing devices are always In one of the more unusual cases, mints might mask the odour of alcohol 100 percent accurate. Small false an Alberta, US, courtroom heard how a on the breath, they do nothing to affect positives have been recorded 28-year-old man, who was stopped on blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the immediately after the consumption of suspicion of driving while under the only thing that really matters. Alcohol influence, ate his underpants in the shows up in the breath because it is various foods and soft drinks, and after belief they would soak up the excess absorbed into the bloodstream rather the use of mouthwash. alcohol in his system. Arresting officer than being digested. As blood flows Breathing patterns also have an Constable Bill Robinson says he heard through the lungs, some of the alcohol effect. According to Michael Hlastala, “some ripping and tearing” from the moves from the lungs’ alveoli into the Professor of Physiology and Biophysics back of his vehicle. air. The amount is directly related to and of Medicine at the University of “I looked in the back and he was BAC and can be measured accurately Washington, “The most overlooked error tearing pieces of the crotch of his during exhalation. in breath testing for alcohol is the underwear out and stuffing them in Three main types of breath testing pattern of breathing.” his mouth,” he testified. devices are in use – those that detect He says that alcohol concentration in The accused was eventually alcohol by a chemical reaction the first part of a breath is much lower acquitted because he had passed the producing a colour change, those relying than the equivalent BAC, whereas that in breath test, but we doubt eating his on a chemical reaction in a fuel cell and the last part of a breath is much higher. undies was a contributing factor. those using infrared spectroscopy. In real life, false positives are rare. In Ontario, Canada, a 59-year-old Interestingly, substances that may A recent New Zealand study of paired suspected drunk driver tried to foil a have a theoretical basis for reducing blood and breath alcohol concentrations police breathalyser by even more bizarre breath alcohol concentration were not in over 11,000 drivers found a false means – stuffing his mouth full of faeces. tested in the Discovery Channel episode. positive rate of only 0.14 percent. He had been taken to the police station These include a bag of activated charcoal In light of the available evidence, for testing, where he grabbed a handful concealed in the mouth, an oxidising gas of his own waste “and placed it in his to fool a fuel cell type detector or an we conclude there is no reliable and mouth, attempting to trick the organic interferent to fool an infrared practical way of defeating a breath breathalyser machine”, according to absorption detector. alcohol test. Sergeant James Buchanan of the South However, none are likely to be But getting arrested is not the biggest Simcoe Police. It didn’t work. The practical, let alone guaranteed to work. risk of driving intoxicated – it’s getting machine registered two readings of more “I’m not sure that activated charcoal killed or killing someone else. The best than twice the legal blood alcohol limit, would remove much of the alcohol from way to beat a breathalyser? Don’t drink and the man was charged with drunk a person’s breath,” says Dr Richardson of and drive. www.drugfoundation.org.nz matters of substance August 09 41

Like a drink? Kia ora, fakalofa lahi atu, talofa lava, kia orana, malo e lelei, ni sa bula vinaka and welcome.

Like a drink? Do you  nd it dif cult to stop once you start? Bad shit often happen when you drink? Ever come round in A&E? Drinking got you in trouble with the law? Suffer monster hangovers? Drinking causing trouble with whanau? Drinking getting in the way of work? Never seem to have any money? Do you want too change your drinking habits?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions you may have a problem with your drinking.

Like a Drink? has been produced for people who have experienced some issues with their drinking and are toying with the idea of making some changes.

Find out more: Still unsure?

take the how it works SELF ASSESS TEST

thought of the day Kia Kaha, Kia Kaha, be strong.

contact or comment

tell your story

Above is the front door to the latest Alcohol Intervention Tool from ALAC – Like a drink?

You can view this exciting site at www.likeadrink.org.nz

Like a drink? showcases the real stories of eight young New Zealanders as they talk about their experiences with alcohol – funny, gruesome, sad and hopeful.

The site offers interactive self assessment tools, encouragement to change and linkages for seeking further help. It offers insights into a wide range of subjects, topics and themes. Like a Drink? provides an opportunity for site visitors to work through issues at their own pace, identify with the people on the site and realise that they too can move forward and make changes.

It’s engaging, stimulating and accessible – and it’s anonymous.

This resource is the newest innovation in the suite of early intervention resources developed by the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand. It stems from the recognition that there is a group of hazardous drinkers in the community who find it difficult for many reasons to access help for their drinking problems.

We value your feedback and comments, please forward them to: [email protected]