Inhalants
National drug policy
The National Drug Policy (NDP) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders by encouraging the development of strategies and programmes which prevent and reduce drug-related harm.The NDP is in line with World Health Organization and United Nations recommendations of a balanced approach to drug policy.Progress under the NDP is reviewed twice yearly by the Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy (MCDP). Initiatives are progressed and monitored by a group of Government agencies that make up the Inter-Agency Committee on Drugs (IACD).
Inter-Agency Committee on Drugs (IACD)
A monitoring group of officials, the IACD ensures that policies and programmes developed by government agencies are consistent and mutually supportive. The IACD also makes recommendations to the MCDP on new policy initiatives.
Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy (MCDP)
Meeting at least twice a year, the MCDP is charged with reviewing progress in implementing the National Drug Policy, and deciding which new policy initiatives should be implemented.The National Drug Policy states that the MCDP is chaired by the Minister of Health and includes the Ministers of Corrections, Customs, Justice, Police, Maori Affairs, Youth Affairs, Transport and Education.
Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD)
The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2000 (the Act) established the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) to provide expert advice to the Minister of Health regarding drug classification issues.
Reassessment of methylated spirits (Submission)
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.
Solvent abuse (Submission)
The New Zealand Drug Foundation does not support the law change proposed in the petition. Reasons for rejecting the proposed law change: the law would be difficult to enforce (see above)
