Reducing the harm

The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. We also realise that there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs in a dangerous manner.  Thus, in order to keep New Zealand’s communities safe, we provide information about proven methods of drug harm minimisation.

There is growing evidence that cannabis use, especially long-term and heavy use, can cause significant harm to the brain and affect mental health. The safest use of cannabis is not to use it. Other than that, it is suggested that people limit their intake to occasional use only.

People who have a history of or pre-disposition to mental illness, and who use cannabis, have an increased risk of worsening their condition or illness. People with mental illness risk harm to themselves and others if they continue to use cannabis.

A vaporiser is a machine that instantly combusts the THC content of cannabis, causing much less smoke. Consequently, there are less irritants and potential carcinogens inhaled through this method of using cannabis.

Do not use cannabis and then drive or operate machinery. Cannabis impairs reaction times and hinders concentration. The risk of an accident does increase.

Smoking cannabis after drinking alcohol compounds the effects of alcohol significantly. A lightly intoxicated person after three drinks might find the effect greatly increased after smoking cannabis, making them just as intoxicated (and dangerously so) as if they had had nine drinks.