Get active in drug policy

Hot topics: alcohol, drug law review, and tobacco.

The Government and its agencies, Parliament and other organisations often seek comment and input into drug policy issues. This might be in the form of consultations or inviting submissions to select committees, or seeking expert comment on draft policies.

The Drug Foundation often gets involved in such work, and also takes a lead role in encouraging others to get involved, and supporting them when they do.

[If you're interested in drug policy, or you want to get active in the policy work of the Drug Foundation you could become a member]

This section will provide advice and support for people to take action.

Current issues

Alcohol policy

Labour MP George Hawkins has introduced a members bill proposing to restrict the number of liquor outlets by placing tighter controls on the approvals process. Members of Parliament have backed the bill voting it through it first reading on a 113-2 vote. The Social Services Select Committee Parliament is inviting public submissions on the Sale of Liquor (Objections to Applications) Amendment Bill. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 15 August 2008.

The Government has backed George Hawkins bill and has now entered into the long running alcohol debate. We anticipate the Government will introduce a bill to Parliament to progress these recommendations about the poliferation of liquor outlets in communities. We are very pleased with this, and have urged the Prime Minister and other MPs to stay involved in this debate.

Review of Misuse of Drugs Act

In June, the minister responsible for drug policy announced a major review of our 30-plus-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act. We were very pleased with this.

The Law Commission is leading this review. Nothing's been announced about terms of reference, timing, consultations etc - but when it is, we'll announce it here.

Tobacco - Out of sight, out of mind

Go here for information about the campaign to ban retail tobacco displays.