Media Releases

Drug Foundation launches Volatile Substance Guide for retailers

26 June 2008

The New Zealand Drug Foundation today launched a guide for retailers on managing the sale of volatile substances.

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Drug Foundation welcomes Prime Minister to alcohol debate

17 June 2008

The New Zealand Drug Foundation has welcomed the Prime Minister’s entry into the long running debate about the proliferation of liquor outlets in communities.

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Drug Foundation urges moratorium and independent analysis of new party pills

31 March 2008

On the eve of the BZP party pill ban, the New Zealand Drug Foundation has called for a voluntary moratorium on sales of all new non-BZP party pills until an independent analysis has been carried out to determine their risk.

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Drug Foundation cautions ‘careful’ party pill use and no stockpiling as Easter approaches

19 March 2008

The Drug Foundation is cautioning users on ‘careful’ use of party pills containing benzylpiperazine (BZP) as Easter approaches, and Parliament this week passed a Bill making BZP-based party pills illegal from 1 April.

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Drug Policy Roundtable challenged to avoid rhetoric and ignorance

20 February 2008

Significant harm reduction to the people of New Zealand or simplistic political rhetoric. Those were presented as the alternatives to attendees at the Drug Policy Roundtable in Wellington this morning, during the opening address by Tim Harding, Chair of the New Zealand Drug Foundation.

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Experts to debate New Zealand drug laws

14 February 2008

Drug policy makers, health professionals and politicians meet in Wellington next week to discuss the future of New Zealand's drug laws and policies. A select group of 30 senior policy makers and six members of parliament, will attend the 2008 Parliamentary Drug Policy Roundtable on 20 February to discuss what makes good drug policy, and whether New Zealand legislation is currently 'fit for purpose.'

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Consultation to give NZ say in global drug policy

14 February 2008

A greater community voice in United Nations global drug policy is the goal of a historic forum to be held in Wellington 18-19 February.

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"Beyond 2008" NGO Questionnaire

20 November 2007

In June 1998, the UN General Assembly met in a Special Session to address the world drug problem. This was the first time that the General Assembly met solely to focus on drug issues. They meet again in 2009 to review their progress. NGOs are getting involved in the review.

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It’s high time we talk about pot

1 November 2007

The New Zealand Drug Foundation wants to start a national conversation about cannabis. Executive Director Ross Bell says it’s high time we took cannabis out of the ‘too-hard basket’ and started talking about it sensibly and honestly.

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Alcohol review over promises, under delivers

17 October 2007

The Drug Foundation today described the government’s alcohol policy proposals as feeble, saying they are a soft political response to a serious health issue. The foundation also criticised justice minister Mark Burton for recommending only limited changes to the Sale of Liquor Act, resulting from his ministry’s 11-month review.

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