National Drug Policy New Zealand

The National Drug Policy (NDP) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders by encouraging the development of strategies and programmes which prevent and reduce drug-related harm.

Progress under the NDP is reviewed twice yearly by the Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy (MCDP). Initiatives are progressed and monitored by a group of Government agencies that make up the Inter-Agency Committee on Drugs (IACD).

This website contains information from the IACD and MCDP meetings, news on current policies, action plans, detailed information about the various drugs covered by the NDP, publications and links to related websites.

The NDP is in line with World Health Organization and United Nations recommendations of a balanced approach to drug policy.

News and Updates

BZP Change in legal status (12 May 2008)
"The Misuse of Drugs (Classification of BZP) Amendment Bill was enacted on 1 April 2008. From this date the manufacture, importation, sale and supply of BZP and related substances, the main active ingredients in the majority of 'party pill's is illegal. There is a 6 month 'amnesty' period for individuals in possession of less than 100 tablets/pills, or 5 grams of BZP and related substances. Once this 'amnesty' expires on 30 September 2008 penalties for possession and use of BZP and related substances consistent with other Class C1 controlled drugs will apply."

National Drug Policy 2006-2011:Report on Consultation Feedback (24 April 2008)
This document reports on feedback received during public consultation on the review of the National Drug Policy. It encompasses views expressed by stakeholders at the thirteen meetings, hui and fono throughout the country, and in the ninety-five written submissions on the Consultation Document.

Literature Review on Models and Efficacy of Illegal Drug Social Marketing Campaigns (04 April 2008)
The Ministry commissioned Litmus, to conduct a review of national and international literature of best practice in social marketing campaigns

New Zealand Police, NZ-ADAM Annual Report 2007 (02 April 2008)
New Zealand Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NZ-ADAM) is a programme which seeks to measure drug and alcohol use among people who have recently been apprehended by police.

2007 Tobacco Returns (11 March 2008)
Annual Tobacco Returns filed by manufacturers and importers

View full list of news and updates.

Page last updated: 24 April 2008