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Getting Our Act Together It’S Been Two Years Coming, but at Last the Law Commission Has Launched Its Consultation Paper on Its Review of the Misuse of Drugs Act

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Getting Our Act Together It’S Been Two Years Coming, but at Last the Law Commission Has Launched Its Consultation Paper on Its Review of the Misuse of Drugs Act Drug law reform’s growing momentum Alcohol “as natural as water” What Kiwis know and think about drugs A drink a day keeps the doctor away? February 2010 Getting our Act together It’s been two years coming, but at last the Law Commission has launched its consultation paper on its review of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The stage may be set for massive drug law overhaul, but will the resulting new legislation strike a much needed balance between enforcement, harm minimisation and the health of New Zealanders addicted to drugs? Contents matters of substance February 2010 Features Regulars Vol 20 No 1 ISSN 1177-200X 02 Cover story 21 Caffeine and alcohol 01 The Director’s Cut matters of substance is published by the Getting the MODA – a cocktail for disaster? Executive Director Ross Bell NZ Drug Foundation. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part running introduces this issue by of it may be reproduced without prior commending the Law permission of the NZ Drug Foundation. Commission on a “considered, balanced and matters of substance invites feedback comprehensive review” and contributions. If you’re interested in contributing a guest editorial or article, of the Misuse of Drugs Act. please first contact us: [email protected] 33 Mythbusters p +64 4 801 6303 What happens when you Is drinking in moderation mix alcohol and caffeine good for my heart?? Brand development/graphic design The Law Commission’s first Origin Design +64 4 801 6644 discussion paper is out, and and put them in a colourful At the risk of making [email protected] its recommendations are can? Is their love affair with themselves unpopular, www.origindesign.co.nz our intrepid Mythbusters progressive and firmly caffeine-laden RTDs putting our youth in danger? question the evidence evidence-based. We’ve NZ Drug Foundation behind the widely accepted gone straight to the horse’s 3rd Floor, 111 Dixon Street 23 Talking with Doug after belief that a little alcohol PO Box 3082, Wellington, New Zealand mouth for some of the p +64 4 801 6303 the ‘Ten Things’ tour is good for you. thinking behind the review of the Misuse of Drugs Act. When you have finished with News this magazine, please recycle it. Drug law reform – A global snapshot 01 Key Events and Dates Become a member Here’s a rundown of what’s in store for the alcohol and The NZ Drug Foundation has been other drug sector during at the heart of major alcohol and other drug policy debates for over Doug Sellman reckons 2010. 20 years. During that time, we have there’s a lot the alcohol demonstrated a strong commitment industry doesn’t want 28 New Zealand News to advocating policies and practices you to know. He’s taken We give you the good oil based on the best evidence available. his ‘Ten Things’ lecture on on what drug news has been In light of the Law tour, and we ask him how making recent headlines Commission’s review, You can help us. A key strength of the that went. in New Zealand. NZ Drug Foundation lies in its diverse Sanji Gunasekara looks membership base. As a member of the at recent efforts in other NZ Drug Foundation, you will receive 25 Opinion 30 World News jurisdictions to reform information about major alcohol and How effective is the When drugs are involved, other drug policy challenges. You can also drug law. New Zealand Drug things can get interesting. get involved in our work to find solutions Diversion: Australia’s Harm Index? to those challenges. World News covers off alternative to drug what’s been happening Our membership includes health law reform internationally from the promoters, primary health and The Australian Illicit sublime to the ridiculous. community organisations, researchers, Drug Diversion Initiative students, schools and boards of trustees, demonstrates there are Quotes of Substance policy makers, and addiction treatment agencies and workers. alternatives to drug law Yet another selection of reform that potentially sane, sagacious and silly Membership and subscription enquiries address drug-related citations from people here [email protected] offending. New Zealand’s Drug Harm and around the world or visit our website. Research Update Index has been used to who have things to say Knowledge of and both measure and justify about drugs. www.drugfoundation.org.nz attitudes to illegal drugs a number of enforcement Last year, the Ministry of activities. Martin Woodbridge Health published a report questions whether the index on what Kiwis know and is really being used correctly. think about illegal drugs. Not all the findings were predictable, and some come as a surprise. matters of substance February 10 www.drugfoundation.org.nz The Director’s Cut Key Events and Dates International Motivational Youth Week Interviewing Symposium 22–30 May, New Zealand wide 4–5 March, Christchurch The Youth Week 2010 campaign A unique opportunity for like minded is already being planned, so get people from the Pacific region and on board now. Visit the website for beyond to gather together to share more information on how you can experiences and ideas about reach a generation of young people motivational interviewing. by advertising during Youth Week www.pacificcmc.com and sponsoring the campaign. www.youthweek.co.nz It’s fInally here, and it was In Chapter 11, the Commission Restoring the Balance worth the wait! identifies options to limit 8–11 March, Melbourne, Australia Two years of behind-the- the harms created by the The 5th Australasian Drug Strategy Club Health 2010 scenes work has resulted in law itself. Much of what Conference provides an important 7–9 June, Zurich, Switzerland a considered, balanced and the Commission outlines opportunity to hear and learn from The 6th International Conference on a full range of law enforcement, Nightlife, Substance Use and Related comprehensive review of encompasses regulatory justice, customs, health, academic Health Issues aims to promote better a complex bit of law. models used effectively in and community agencies. interagency understanding of issues That’s my humble other jurisdictions, including www.adsc2010.com that affect the health of young assessment of the Law from across the Tasman. people in nightlife settings. Commission’s Misuse of Drugs The Commission also outlines Addiction Treatment www.clubhealth.org.uk/ Act discussion document, a pathway to support and Leadership Day conference released for consultation treatment away from the 25 March, Christchurch this month. criminal justice system. These leadership forums bring together Inaugural National Indigenous addiction workforce leaders from Drug and Alcohol Conference The document opens with The review’s terms of different functions: policy, planning, 16–18 June, Adelaide, Australia this very blunt – yet accurate reference constrained the funding, training and education, – assessment of the Misuse Commission to working service management and delivery, The National Indigenous Drug and of Drugs Act: It “no longer within our obligations under consumers and cultural leaders. Alcohol Conference aims to help develop the capacity of those working provides a coherent and the three international drug www.matuaraki.org.nz to address indigenous alcohol issues effective legislative framework treaties. (That the international Evolving Communities and associated harms in meaningful for responding to the misuse treaties themselves need an Beyond Services and practical ways. The conference of psychoactive drugs… overhaul is obvious – but 14–16 April, Wellington will also showcase and celebrate the The Act is now outdated we should not expect the The 5th Building Bridges Conference quiet efforts and achievements of and does not reflect current Commission to be burdened aims to bring together the latest those striving to improve the health knowledge and understanding with that task!) Some will be thinking on community mental and wellbeing of Australia’s about drug use and related frustrated by this. The first health and addiction services for indigenous communities. providers and consumers of services. health, social and economic treaty celebrates its 50th www.nidaconference.com.au www.buildingbridges.co.nz harms.” Hear, hear! anniversary next year, and Drug and Alcohol Nurses of The Commission’s review if our 35-year-old law is Harm Reduction 2010: Australasia 2010 Conference covers a lot of ground obsolete, then that treaty is The Next Generation and Workshops including: how we should well and truly fossilised. In 25–29 April, Liverpool, England 14–16 July, Surfers Paradise, Australia measure and classify drug Over five days, this conference will spite of this, the Commission Drugs and Alcohol: Every Nurse’s be the main meeting point for all harm; controls over medicinal has rightly identified Business is the theme for 2010. cannabis; regulations over flexibilities within the bounds those interested in harm reduction. The conference theme, Harm Explore the role of nurses and their substances not covered by of these treaties that allow for Reduction: The Next Generation, will need to be aware of alcohol and international treaties; diversion many of the progressive reflect upon two and a half decades drug-related issues and how to start options for possession; and options outlined in its review. of harm reduction experience but tackling these appropriately. principles around compulsory Let’s not be scared by will also explore what is needed to www.danaconference.com.au move on in the next 20 years. admission for addiction the Commission’s proposals. www.ihra.net treatment. They are not radical, but they Cutting Edge In developing its proposals, are progressive, and they are 22–25 September, Auckland ALAC Working Together the Commission says the exactly what New Zealand 2010 will be the 15th Cutting Edge Conference 2010 Conference, New Zealand’s most primary justification for needs in order to find a better 6–7 May, Manukau City important alcohol and addiction regulation is to minimise the balance in the ways we seek This is a ‘must attend’ event for treatment meeting.
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