About us

New Zealanders use drugs. That use can cause harms and add social, health and economic costs to individuals, families and communities. Preventing and reducing those harms is a big challenge for New Zealand, and it's a challenge the New Zealand Drug Foundation has taken on.

The Drug Foundation has been at the forefront of major alcohol and other drug policy debates for over 18 years. During that time we have demonstrated a strong commitment to advocating policies and practices based on the best evidence available.

Ko tēnei rōpū e mōhiotia nei te Tūāpapa Tarukino o Aotearoa, he rōpū kaitiaki. Ko tana whāinga matua kia āraia atu te kino o te mahi kai tarukino, kai waipiro, kai tupeka hoki i ngā wāhi katoa o Aotearoa.

Statement of principles

The New Zealand Drug Foundation is committed to reducing and preventing the harm caused by drugs in New Zealand. This includes social and health harms caused by legal drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol, as well as illegal drugs, such as cannabis.

Our commitment to reducing drug harm includes moderation in the use of alcohol and ensuring that any illicit drugs, if used, are used safely. We focus on advocating for policies and services that build a healthy society where there is the least possible harm from drug use.

We recognise that drugs, legal and illegal, are a part of everyday life experience. Drugs, and their use, impact on many of us, and on the people we care about. Harms to individuals and families include injury, disease, social, personal and financial problems and a reduced quality of life. Harms to society include unsafe communities, increased need for law enforcement, and high health and economic costs.

All efforts to control or reduce the harm from tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs must be evidence-based, socially just and maintain the rights of individuals and the aspirations of communities.

We make our views known directly to politicians and decision makers, and provide leadership on major policy issues

We host the annual Parliamentary Drug Policy Roundtable for ministers, members of Parliament, senior government officials and alcohol and drug sector leaders. Recent roundtables focussed on alcohol policy, and drugs and young people. We convene nationwide forums on issues such as drugs and prisons, and drug education.

We support alcohol and drug workers and New Zealand communities

We provide a range of public and member services, including txt and web information, training workshops, health promotion and drug education resources.

We are a strong public voice for good drug policy

We maintain a high media profile to communicate directly to the public about important drug issues. Our media comments are honest and factual, and seek to inform the public.

We have strong international networks

We keep ourselves up-to-date with international drug policy issues. We are members of the International Harm Reduction Association, International Drug Policy Consortium, and Global Alcohol Policy Alliance.

We're your voice and you can help.

Become a member of the Drug Foundation.

We are a registered charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005 (registration number CC27025).