National Drug Policy New Zealand

News and Updates

Media Releases

2008

21 September - Rollies no safer than tailor-mades - NZ tobacco research
A number of roll-your-own (RYO) brands of cigarettes do at least as much harm as a popular tailor-made cigarette, research released by the Ministry of Health shows.

2007

29 March - Systematic review of the health effects of Swedish Snus released
A Ministry of Health-commissioned review of the health effects of Swedish snus aims to inform the debate about whether snus and similar products have a role in reducing tobacco related harm in New Zealand.

15 March - New Drug Policy launched - pressure kept on
"New Zealand has a drug problem. New Zealand has an alcohol problem. And New Zealand has a problem admitting the seriousness of the problem," Jim Anderton said at the launch of the latest New Zealand National Drug Policy (NDP), which he hosted at Parliament today.

2006

14 June - Anderton surprised at comments on Party Pills
The Chair of the Ministerial Committee on Drugs comments on the need for research and evidence regarding Party Pills.

29 May - Steering Group to review alcohol advertising regulations announced
The Ministry of Health has announced the membership and terms of reference for the steering group charged with reviewing alcohol advertising regulations.

2005

30 September - Smoking rates continue to decline, with promising signs for Maori
Initiatives to reduce smoking in New Zealand are continuing to produce reductions in the number of people smoking and the amount of tobacco they consume.

3 August - All parties urged to support tougher law against drugs
All political parties are being asked to support two Misuse of Drugs Orders introduced to Parliament today.

19 July - Labour against legalising marijuana
Labour Party policy does not include support for legalising marijuana and it does not support taking any action that might promote its use.

30 June - Primary health money rolled out to 18 to 24-year-olds
Doctor visits and drug prescriptions will be cheaper for more Kiwis when the next phase of the government’s primary health care programme comes into force tomorrow.

26 June - Time's up for sham sales of laughing gas
Grace period for retailers of NOs to prepare for law change is now over - prosecutions can now be taken.

23 June - Address at Dunedin forum on alcohol and other drugs
Local and central government need community input to ensure the best decisions on community safety are made.

9 June - 2nd Reading: Misuse of Drugs Amendment (No 3) Bill
The Bill updates our laws relating to the prevention of drug abuse and makes it more responsive to changes in illicit drug trends.

9 June - Anderton address at National CAYAD Hui Workshop
These national workshops are invaluable for the success of the Community Action Youth and Drug (CAYAD) initiative.

8 June - Community Action on Youth & Drugs step up the campaign against illicit drugs
The Community Action on Youth and Drugs (CAYAD) nationwide initiative aimed at addressing youth and drug issues steps up a gear in Ngaruawahia today with a three-day national training workshop jointly hosted by Hamilton based Te Ahurei a Rangatahi and the Ministry of Health.

23 May - Anderton thanks MPs for work on Misuse of Drugs Bill
The Bill will amend the presumption of supply quantity for methamphetamine, create new offences for the importing and exporting of dangerous precursor substances, create powers of search and seizure without warrant for precursor substances and we will soon have the legal power to regulate BZP and similar substances.

12 May - Enhancing liquor licensing enforcement capability
Budget 2005 includes an investment of $1.88 million (GST exclusive) over the next four financial years to enhance the Police Department's ability to enforce liquor licensing laws.

12 May - Reducing demand for drugs in our communities
The Progressive Party has continued to support efforts to reduce demand for drugs in communities and to improve access to treatment services for victims of addiction in this year’s budget round.

9 May - Royal Australasian College of Physicians - Tobacco Policy launch speech
Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor officially launches this policy, and outlines ways in which the government's working to reduce tobacco harm.

3 May - Anderton comments at Drug Education Workshop - speech
These workshops support the Ministry of Education’s recommendation for schools to have a curriculum-based approach to drug education delivered by qualified teachers.
28 April - Smokefree support skyrockets - news release
Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor welcomes the results of a new survey showing overwhelming public support for new smokefree laws.

28 April - Christchurch forum on ‘P’, alcohol and other drugs - speech
Every month I host a meeting like this one and they are a symbol of individual communities recognising an issue we all have to deal with.

27 April - Anderton to chair Christchurch forum on drugs
Jim Anderton will chair a Christchurch public forum on Thursday on alcohol and other drugs, the latest in a series of public meetings on drug abuse he is chairing around New Zealand.

21 April - Public Health Law Symposium - speech
Public health law must build on the best of the past and retain its core areas of environmental health and protection against communicable disease. We must also find ways to meet the new challenges facing society.

14 April - NOS illegal without prescription: no ifs, no buts, no maybes
First meeting held today on enforcement and publicity around NOS being illegal.

19 March - Needle exchanges effective for HIV-prevention - speech
The Labour-Progressive government is resolute in its commitment to supporting the Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme as a highly effective public programme to prevent the transmission of blood-borne viruses.

9 March - Government responds to alcohol advertising petition
The government is looking at options for a review of the voluntary regime that regulates alcohol advertising.

7 March - Launch of Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan
At times the journey has seemed to be long and almost never-ending, but it is great news finally to be able to launch the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan 2005-10, and to be able to talk about what the Government is investing as the first phase of the plan swings into action in 2005-06.

3 March - Anderton at Nelson forum on P, alcohol and other drugs
Opening address at public forum on P, alcohol and other drugs 7.30 p.m.

25 February - Pacific Island Alcohol & Drug Resource Centre - speech
Pacific Island Evaluation Inc. Alcohol & Drug Resource & Service Centre. Open Day Programme

9 February - Sport and Alcohol Conference
Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor discusses the connection between sport and alcohol at the Sport and Alcohol Conference in Palmerston North.

9 February - Alternative to pseudoephedrine approved for sale
An alternative to one of the precursors of methamphetamine should soon be available for sale over-the-counter

8 February - Sport can take the lead on responsible drinking
Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey today urged the sporting community to take the lead in encouraging responsible, moderate drinking by New Zealanders.