Drug Foundation - Young people

Summary of research on party pills

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 08:16:43 +1300

This paper summarises recent research findings on BZP/party pills, and outlines the current legislative status of BZP. It is being made available to assist organisations or people wanting to make submissions on the proposal to reclassify BZP and its analogues.

Law and Order Select Committee report October 2006 on youth alcohol harm reduction

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:24:32 +1300

Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill (260-2) (20 October 2006)

The Law and Order Committee has examined the Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill and recommends that it be passed with the amendments shown.

Terms of reference for liquor review released

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:37:29 +1300

Justice Minister Mark Burton and Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor today released the terms of reference for the Government's review of the sale and supply of liquor to under-18-year-olds.

The review's goals are to determine the harm caused by the sale and supply of liquor to minors, evaluate the effectiveness of current restrictions and develop proposals that might be necessary to address the causes of harm.

The project will also include a review of the provisions of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989 relating to the sale and supply to minors.

"The impact of underage drinking is significant for our communities and young people. This is why it's critical that we have a complete and factual picture of how under-18-year-olds are getting alcohol and accompanying trends," Mark Burton said.

"The scope of the review will mean that the underlying causes of harm to youth arising from drinking are fully canvassed; and that detailed proposals are developed to address the problems," Damien O'Connor said.

"The review will comprise two phases," Damien O'Connor said.

"The first phase will consist of research and analysis. Phase two will set out options and recommendations for reform for Cabinet to consider. Cabinet will finalise the timeline so that the matter is progressed this year."

"The debate that took place in November around Government MP Martin Gallagher's Bill concerning underage drinking highlighted a need for a focused review looking specifically at the effectiveness of current restrictions applying to under 18 year-olds," Mark Burton said.

Report on 'BZP' and 'party pills'

Catherine — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:02:24 +1300

Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton has received a report from the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) on benzylpiperazine (BZP) and related substances, also known as 'party pills'.

Drug Foundation supports Minister's drug policy process

Catherine — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:02:47 +1300

Release date:

19 Dec 2006

Media release summary:

The Drug Foundation welcomed drug policy minister Jim Anderton’s announcement today to consult with the wider community before changing the legal status of party pills.

Media release:

The Drug Foundation welcomed drug policy minister Jim Anderton’s announcement today to consult with the wider community before changing the legal status of party pills.

The minister’s announcement follows recent advice given by the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) to reschedule BZP-based party pills from a Restricted Substance to Class C1 under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the same classification as cannabis plant. The EACD have analysed research and reports on party pills and concluded they pose a moderate risk of harm.

“The Minister has demonstrated admirable consistency on this issue, resisting pressure from all sides to make a hasty decision about party pills. He first listened to his advisory group by creating a new drug classification for party pills, and funded world-first research to get a better understanding about the risks party pills pose. We congratulate him for that,” said Ross Bell, executive director.

“We are pleased he will consult with the wider community before making a recommendation to Parliament. While we have a high regard for the role of the EACD in ensuring good evidence-based drug policy, we remain sceptical that their recommendation to ban will reduce the risks posed by party pills,” he said.

“The truth is, regardless of the legal status of drugs, people still use them and harms are still caused. This is true whether drugs are legal like alcohol and tobacco, the two biggest drug problems in New Zealand, or illegal like cannabis, a drug tried by more than half of all New Zealanders,” said Ross Bell.

The Drug Foundation has previously stated its preference for tighter regulations over party pills, such as total advertising bans, price controls, dosage limits, quality and hygiene standards, and limits on places of sale.

“This is not a black or white issue; drug issues never are. We should persist with tighter and improved regulations over party pills because they allow the government greater control over availability, potency, quality and price of pills than an outright ban could,” he said.

The Drug Foundation is asking the Minister to release all advice and research on party pills, saying that much of what was provided to the EACD consists of confidential and interim reports, which should be made public to better inform the wider community during the minister’s consultation process.

Review of underage alcohol supply limited

Catherine — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:57:09 +1300

Release date:

7 Nov 2006

Media release summary:

The New Zealand Drug Foundation expressed concern at the Government’s limited response to tackle problems of underage drinking.

Media release:

The New Zealand Drug Foundation expressed concern at the Government’s limited response to tackle problems of underage drinking.

Pre-empting tonight’s vote on the Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction Bill, the Minister of Justice Mark Burton and Associate Health Minister Damien O’Connor announced a review of the supply and sale of alcohol to under 18 year olds.

The proposed review will examine the effectiveness of current restrictions on the sale and supply of alcohol to minors, and will take into account changes that have taken place since the purchase age was lowered in 1999, such as the increase number of outlets supplying alcohol.

The Drug Foundation labelled the review as a limited response to a huge problem, saying the focus of the review is too narrow.

“The Law & Order Committee has already undertaken a review of the weaknesses of our liquor laws – their consideration of the drinking age bill took eleven months and received 180 submissions The review announced today needs to take a broader look than simply access to alcohol by young people. While that is an important issue, the review should also examine the alcohol excise tax, the price of alcohol, and the role local governments can contribute to addressing the harms from alcohol,” said Ross Bell, executive director.

“Whatever the vote tonight, we need to do much more to address New Zealand’s drinking culture. There is enough evidence from overseas and within New Zealand that gives us a clear understanding of solutions to changing our drinking culture”, Ross Bell said.

Mr Bell said that communities now have high expectations of government to show greater leadership on alcohol policy.

“Communities shouldn’t expect serious issues like the problems from alcohol to be dealt with through private member’s bills and conscience votes. Instead the government, with support from all political parties, should take the lead to strengthen liquor laws, resource improved monitoring and enforcement of those laws, and do everything else it can to tackle the problems,” said Ross Bell.

The Drug Foundation acknowledged existing efforts, such as the Alcohol Advisory Council’s Culture Change programme and the Police’s new alcohol strategy, but said there are still gaps in the government’s response.

The Drug Foundation has developed an Eight Point Plan for Action on Alcohol which includes:

Increasing the excise tax on alcohol
Returning the minimum alcohol purchase age to 20 years
Strengthening the Sale of Liquor Act
Increasing effective enforcement
Discontinuing alcohol marketing on television
Allowing communities more control over liquor licensing
Improving treatment services nationwide
Discontinuing 'conscience voting' on alcohol issues

The Drug Foundation has written again today to members of Parliament to seek their support to progress the Alcohol Harm Reduction Bill through its second reading, which would allow MPs the opportunity to further strengthen the Bill.

MPs surveyed on drinking age vote

Catherine — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:51:43 +1300

Release date:

18 Oct 2006

Media release summary:

The New Zealand Drug Foundation today began a survey of members of Parliament on their support for the raising the drinking age.

Media release:

The New Zealand Drug Foundation today began a survey of members of Parliament on their support for the raising the drinking age.

Results from the survey will be updated on the Drug Foundation’s drinking age website – www.20years.co.nz.

The survey has been launched in anticipation of the Law and Order Committee’s report to Parliament on their eleven month examination of Martin Gallagher’s Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction Bill. The report is due to be tabled on Friday 20 October.

Mr Gallagher’s bill seeks to raise the minimum purchase age for alcohol (the “drinking age”) from 18 to 20 years.

The Drug Foundation strongly endorses returning the age to 20 years – New Zealand and international evidence overwhelmingly shows raising the age is one key part of an overall strategy to change the drinking culture.

“We launched the website when the bill was first introduced last year because of strong public interest in the drinking age debate. The public are again interested in how MPs will vote this year. Surveys consistently show over 70 percent of New Zealanders think the age should be returned to 20 years, so we saw the need to provide the public accessible information about how MPs are thinking on this issue,” said Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell.

“The New Zealand public can now see whether their local MP is voting in the interests of public health. We know that this is a very important issue for people and we are pleased to provide this simple but effective resource,” he said.

“We expect most political parties to treat this as a personal or conscience issue, rather than a party vote. That makes it especially important for individual MPs to publicly declare their voting intentions. With Parliament soon to restart the debate, we anticipate keen interest from the public and media in how each MP is likely to vote,” he said.

Select committee finds consensus on raising the drinking age

Catherine — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:47:44 +1300

Release date:

18 Oct 2006

Media release summary:

The New Zealand Drug Foundation today welcomes the Law & Order Committee's report on a member's bill to raise the minimum purchase age of alcohol (the "drinking age"). The whole committee has endorsed the intention of the bill to return the purchase age to 20 years.

Media release:

"We applaud the committee's work over the past eleven months. They have listened to a wide range of evidence and research, and have come to the obvious conclusion that raising the age to 20 years is one of the important things we need to do to change New Zealand's drinking culture", said Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell.

The Drug Foundation is pleased the committee has not recommended a split-age for on- and off-licences.

"The Drug Foundation advised the committee to avoid introducing exemptions to the 20 year purchase age. Splitting the age for different licences would have been a nightmare for enforcement agencies. Committee members have also heard the evidence that a split age would be inconsistent with the aim of reducing harm to youth from alcohol consumption," Mr Bell said.

The committee has recommended minor exemptions to the 20 year age for sellers of alcohol (e.g. bar staff), entertainers and spouses/civil union partners under the age of 20 years. The Drug Foundation agrees these exemptions addresses some practical considerations.

The Drug Foundation says the public will welcome the committee's recommendations.

"A survey published today by Massey University confirms earlier surveys that consistently show over 70 percent of New Zealanders think the age should be returned to 20 years. Parents, doctors, addiction treatment workers and others concerned with youth drinking will be very pleased with this report. It now up to the public to lobby their local member of Parliament to ensure the bill is passed", said Ross Bell.

The Drug Foundation is surveying each MP to find out whether they support raising the age to 20 years. The survey results are updated daily on the website www.20years.co.nz.

"The New Zealand public can now see whether their local MP is voting in the interests of public health. We know that this is a very important issue for people and we are pleased to provide this simple but effective resource," Ross Bell said.

Reassessment of methylated spirits (Submission)

Catherine — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +1300

The New Zealand Drug Foundation recognises that the use of common household substances for intoxication is a difficult drug taking behaviour to legislate and regulate for.

We support the proposal to replace the current methylated spirits sold to the public with another formulation, as outlined in the proposal. The evidence presented in the application clearly outlines the adverse effects and analysis of risks that are associated with the ingestion of methylated spirits including: fire damage to people and/or property; eye damage; visual impairment, or blindness from chronic or acute consumption; damage to reproductive organs; foetal developmental effects and in some cases death. We support any pragmatic and practical measures that help reduce the risks from deliberate consumption of methylated spirits.

Review on advertising regulation (Submission)

Catherine — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +1200

The New Zealand Drug Foundation welcomes this review. This review is particularly important as it comes at a time when this country is debating how best to tackle our drinking culture, and regionally and internationally there is increasing concern about the impact of alcohol on communities and the role marketing plays in that.