Drug Foundation - Law and criminal justice

A new blue line? Harm minimisation and police law reform

Catherine — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +1300

Policing legislation is under the spotlight. Mike Webb highlights alcohol and other drug related issues that have been explored as part of the government’s review and foreshadows what may feature in a draft bill later this year.

How might modern legislation enable New Zealand’s police service to minimise substance-related harm? This was one of many questions put forward as part of a major government review of the 1958 Police Act, underway for the last year and a half.

Reducing alcohol and other drug problems in New Zealand’s criminal justice system

Ross — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:42:04 +1200

“It's like shooting fish in a barrel.” This was one description of current political hits scored against the Corrections Minister and his department.

Some of the problems exposed have been serious, such as staff smuggling contraband. Some have been trivial (prisoners being ‘rewarded’ with takeaways), and one, the death of Liam Ashley, was undeniably tragic. The Ombudsman has also criticised the department in two recent reports. Suffice it to say, the life of the minister hasn’t been a box of birds of late.

New Zealand police alcohol action plan March 2006

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:41:26 +1300

Over the years, police have built up considerable experience in dealing with alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder, and much has been learnt about what works in minimising problems linked to alcohol. Importantly, steps have been taken to look beyond individual incidents to identify patterns in alcohol-related crime and crashes, which has suggested opportunities to better target police interventions.

National alcohol strategy 2000-2003

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:38:46 +1300

In a formal sense, the National Alcohol Strategy sits under the New Zealand Health Strategy and the National Drug Policy. The New Zealand Health Strategy sets the platform for change and identifies key priority areas, the National Drug Policy sets out the Government's commitment to minimise all drug related harm; and identifies various priority areas and desired outcomes towards this end.

New Zealand Customs Service Annual Report 2005/06

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:31:37 +1300

The Customs 2005/2006 annual report, released on October 16, the report highlights remarkable achievements notably Customs New Zealand made the largest drug seizure in New Zealand's history and the signing of a Declaration of Principles with the United States are among key achievements made by the New Zealand Customs Service over the past year.

Law and Order Select Committee report on the purchase age October 2006

Catherine — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:07:35 +1300

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

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

Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD)

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:06:50 +1300

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.

Health Select Committee report on ephedrine and pseudoephedrine December 2003

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:53:53 +1300

Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine) Order 2003 (17 December 2003)

The Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine) Order 2003:

classifies pseudoephedrine preparations containing not more than 60 milligrams a dosage unit as a Class C3 drug

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Health Select Committtee report on amphetamine supply 2005

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:48:03 +1300

Misuse of Drugs (Changes to Controlled Drugs) Order 2005 and Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply Amphetamine) Order 2005.

The Misuse of Drugs (Changes to Controlled Drugs) Order 2005 changes the classification of amphetamine (commonly known as speed) and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) from Class B2 to Class B1. The Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply Amphetamine) Order 2005 lowers, from 56 grams to 5 grams, the amount at which amphetamine is presumed to be for supply.

Briton raises fresh voice over corruption in NZ prisons

Catherine — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:40:08 +1300

The Corrections Department faces fresh allegations that corruption is rife at one of the country's biggest prisons.

"Rimutaka prison and the Department of Corrections are a disgrace and a joke," said former prison officer Andy Coward, who was recruited from Britain and worked in the high security segregation unit for six months before quitting last May.