Professor Chris Wilkins, MMS, PhD.

Professor Chris Wilkins is the leader of the drug research team at SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, New Zealand. Dr. Wilkins has research expertise in drug trends, drug markets, public health, and drug policy. Over the past twenty years he has completed a range of studies of drug use in New Zealand with particular focus on methamphetamine, cannabis, legal highs, ecstasy and the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals. Chris has published over 80 peer reviewed journal articles on drug use and drug markets, contributed to three books and regularly reviews manuscripts for Addiction, the International Journal of Drug Policy, Drug & Alcohol Review and Drug and Alcohol Dependence. In February 2020, he co-edited the book, Legalizing Cannabis: Experiences, Lessons and Scenarios, with Professor Tom Decorte and Professor Simon Lenton. Chris Wilkins has been an invited speaker at international meetings convened by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), and at the United States National Institute for Drug Abuse Community Epidemiology Working Group (CEWG). He regularly presents papers at the annual meetings of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP). 

Email: c.wilkins@massey.ac.nz


selected books and book chapters

Decorte, T., Lenton, S., & Wilkins, C. (Eds.). (2020). Legalizing Cannabis: Experiences, Lessons and Scenarios. London: Routledge.

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2020). How not to legalize cannabis: Lessons from New Zealand’s experiment with regulating “legal highs”. In T. Decorte, S. Lenton & C. Wilkins (Eds.), Legalizing Cannabis: Experiences, Lessons and Scenarios (pp. 259-282). London: Routledge.

Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2020). The risks of cannabis industry funding of community and drug treatment services: Insights from gambling. In T. Decorte, S. Lenton & C. Wilkins (Eds.), Legalizing Cannabis: Experiences, Lessons and Scenarios (pp. 394-408). London: Routledge.

Winstock, A. & Wilkins, C. (2011) 'Legal highs' - the challenge of psychoactive substances. International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies, Nr. 16. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2184359.

Wilkins, C., & Sweetsur, P. (2011). The seizure rate of cannabis crop eradication operations in New Zealand, 1998-2009. In T. Decorte, G. Potter & M. Bouchard (Eds.), World Wide Weed: Global Trends in Cannabis Cultivation and its Control. Ashgate.

journal articles

Wilkins, C., Romeo, J., Rychert, M., & Graydon-Guy, T. (2024). Exploring the substitution of cannabis for alcohol and other drugs among a large convenience sample of people who use cannabis. Harm Reduction Journal, 21(1), 192. doi:10.1186/s12954-024-01111-w A638

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2024). Implementation of the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme in New Zealand: six emerging trends. New Zealand Medical Journal, 137(1604), 73-86. doi:10.26635/6965.6666 A637

Søgaard, T. F., Brummer, J. E., Wilkins, C., Sznitman, S. R., Sevigny, E. L., Frank, V. A., Potter, G., Hakkarainen, P., Barratt, M. J., Werse, B., Grigg, J., Fortin, D., Bear, D., Lenton, S., Jauffret-Roustide, M., & Kirtadze, I. (2024). Global patterns in small-scale cannabis growers’ distribution practices: Exploring the grower-distributor nexus. International Journal of Drug Policy, Available online 3 June, 104463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104463 A629

Sevigny, E. L., Potter, G., Wilkins, C., Barratt, M. J., Søgaard, T. F., Hakkarainen, P., Grigg, J., & Roustide, M. J. (2023). Conflict and social control among cannabis growers. International Journal of Drug Policy, published online Dec 15, 104292, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104292

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2023). Referendum Campaigns in Hybrid Media Systems: Insights From the New Zealand Cannabis Legalisation Referendum. Media and Communication, 11(1), 56-68. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v11i1.6021 A615

van der Sanden, R., Wilkins, C., Rychert, M., & Barratt, M. J. (2023). Social Supply and the Potential for Harm Reduction in Social Media Drug Markets. Contemporary Drug Problems, 50(3), 381-401. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914509231178940 A614

D'Mello, K., Chan, G. C. K., Hall, W., Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., & Hammond, D. (2023). Use of flavored cannabis vaping products in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand: findings from the international cannabis policy study wave 4 (2021). American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2023.2238116 A613

Belackova, V., Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., & Pardal, M. (2023). Cannabis Social Clubs in Contemporary Legalization Reforms: Talking Consumption Sites and Social Justice. Clinical Therapeutics, 45(6), 551-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.03.017 A609

Withanarachchie, V., Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2023). Barriers and facilitators to prescribing medicinal cannabis in New Zealand Journal of Primary Health Care, 15(2), 135–146. https://doi.org/10.1071/HC22122 A607

Crossin, R., Cleland, L., Wilkins, C., Rychert, M., Adamson, S., Potiki, T., Pomerleau, A. C., MacDonald, B., Faletanoai, D., Hutton, F., Noller, G., Lambie, I., Sheridan, J. L., George, J., Mercier, K., Maynard, K., Leonard, L., Walsh, P., Ponton, R., . . . Boden, J. (2023). The New Zealand drug harms ranking study: A multi-criteria decision analysis. Journal of Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811231182012 A602

Rychert, M., Romeo, J. S., & Wilkins, C. (2023). Exploring Differences in Daily Vaping of Nicotine and Cannabis among People Who Use Drugs in New Zealand. Substance Use & Misuse, 58(11), 1388-1398. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2223276 A601

van der Sanden, R., Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2023). “I straight up criminalized myself on messenger”: law enforcement risk management among people who buy and sell drugs on social media. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, published online June 20. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2023.2224497 A600

Wadsworth, E., Rynard, V., Driezen, P., Freeman, T. P., Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., Hall, W., Gabrys, R., & Hammond, D. (2023). Legal sourcing of ten cannabis products in the Canadian cannabis market, 2019-2021: a repeat cross-sectional study. Harm Reduction Journal, 20(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-023-00753-6 A599

Withanarachchie, V., Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2023). The role of cannabis clinics in the health system: a qualitative study of physicians' views in New Zealand. BMC Health Services Research, 23(10, 2023), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-12022-09021-y. A592

Sanchez Lozano, C. D., Wilkins, C., Rychert, M. (2022). Exploring the Adjudication of Methamphetamine-related Housing Contamination Cases in New Zealand. Journal of Law and Medicine, 29(1), 142-155. A568

Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., van der Sanden, R., & Prasad, J. (2022). Exploring digital news, advocacy networks and social media campaigns ‘for’ and ‘against’ cannabis legalisation during New Zealand’s cannabis legalisation referendum. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, published online June 29, 1-11, doi:10.1080/09687637.2022.2090897 A585

van der Sanden, R., Wilkins, C., Rychert, M., & Barratt, M. J. (2022). 'Choice' of social media platform or encrypted messaging app to buy and sell illegal drugs. International Journal of Drug Policy, 108, 103819, doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103819 A590

van der Sanden, R., Wilkins, C., Rychert, M., & Barratt, M. J. (2022). The Use of Discord Servers to Buy and Sell Drugs. Contemporary Drug Problems, 49(4), 453-477, doi:10.1177/00914509221095279 A589

Sanchez Lozano, C. D., Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2022). Lessons from the implementation of residential methamphetamine contamination policies in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, published online Dec 26, doi:10.1111/dar.13593 A588

Sanchez Lozano, C. D., Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2022). Outcomes from the New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal after a review of policy on residential housing methamphetamine contamination. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, published online July 24, 1-15, doi:10.1080/03036758.2022.2103575 A587

Sanchez Lozano, C. D., Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2022). Comparative analysis of policy responses to residential methamphetamine contamination by two public housing authorities in the United States and New Zealand. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, published online May 15, 1-12, doi:10.1080/09687637.2022.2072188 A586

Wilkins, C., Rychert, M., Queirolo, R., Lenton, S. R., Kilmer, B., Fischer, B., Decorte, T., Hansen, P., Ombler, F. (2022). Assessing options for cannabis law reform: A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with stakeholders in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 105, 103712. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103712. A583

Crossin, R., Boden, J. M., Wilkins, C., & Adamson, S. (2022). The New Zealand illicit drug harms index: How can it inform a health-based approach to drug use? New Zealand Medical Journal, 135, 8-10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35728179 A593

Crossin, R., Cleland, L., Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., & Boden, J. M. (2022). Measuring drug harm in New Zealand: A stocktake of current data sources. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1554), 93-104. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35728221 A584

Wilkins, C., Tremewan, J., Rychert, M., Atkinson, Q., Fischer, G.,  Lavender Forsyth, A. (2022). Predictors of voter support for the legalization of recreational cannabis use and supply via a national referendum, International Journal of Drug Policy, 99, 103442. Open Access. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103442 A548

Withanarachchie V, Rychert M, Wilkins C. (2022). Assessing progress with the implementation of the New Zealand Medicinal Cannabis Scheme [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1548):7-12. A569

van der Sanden, R., Wilkins, C., Romeo, J., Rychert ,M., Barratt M. (2021). Predictors of using social media to purchase drugs in New Zealand: Findings from a large-scale online survey. International Journal of Drug Policy, 98, 103430. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103430 A543

Adams, P., Rychert, M., Wilkins, C. (2021). How does the influence of the cannabis industry differ from that of alcohol and tobacco? [Response to Commentaries]. Addiction, in press.

Adams, PJ., Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2021). Policy influence and the legalized cannabis industry: learnings from other addictive consumption industries. Addiction, published online 19 March, https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15483 A529

Price, M., Wilkins, C., Tscharke, B. J., Baker, T., Mueller, J. F., Trowsdale, S. (2021). Spatial, temporal and socioeconomic patterns of illicit drug use in New Zealand assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology timed to coincide with the census. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1537), 70-85. A530

Price, M., Wilkins, C., & Trowsdale, S. (2021). Comment on “Estimating Alcohol Consumption by Wastewater-Based Epidemiology: An Assessment of the Correction Factor for Ethyl Sulfate Using Large-Scale National Monitoring Data”. Environmental, Science & Technology Letters, 8(11), 1015-1016.

Trowsdale, S., Price, M., Wilkins, C., Tscharke, B., Mueller, J., Baker, T. (2021). Quantifying nicotine and alcohol consumption in New Zealand using wastewater-based epidemiology timed to coincide with census. [Article]. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40(7), 1178-1185. doi: 10.1111/dar.13268. A528

Rychert, M., Wilkins, C. (2021). Response to commentaries: The politics (and science) of cannabis law reform. Drug and Alcohol Review, published online 19 May. doi: 10.1111/dar.13312

Rychert, M., Parker, K., Wilkins, C., Graydon-Guy, T. (2021). Predictors of medicinal cannabis users' willingness to utilise a new prescription Medicinal Cannabis Scheme in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1534), 66–75. A521

Rychert, M., Emanuel, M.A., Wilkins, C. (2021). Foreign investment in emerging legal medicinal cannabis markets: the Jamaica case study. Globalization and Health, 17(1), 38. A522

Rychert M, and Wilkins C. (2021). Why did New Zealand's referendum to legalise recreational cannabis fail? Drug and Alcohol Review, 40(6), 877-881. doi: 10.1111/dar.13268. A520

Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2021). The rejection of cannabis legalization in New Zealand: Issues with the Cannabis Legalization and Control Bill or wider concerns? Addiction, 116(2), 236-238. doi: 210.1111/add.15361. A502

Rychert, M., Emanuel, M.A., Wilkins, C. (2020) Issues in the establishment of a therapeutic cannabis market under Jamaica's Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2015. International Journal of Drug Policy, 86, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102945 A501

Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2020). Assessing New Zealand’s Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill: Prospects and Challenges. Addiction, 116(2), 222-230. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15144 A500

Rychert, M.,  & Wilkins, C. (2020). “You have to make some money before you can  do some good”: Balancing the commercial, social and public health  objectives in a “community enterprise” regulatory model for alcohol and cannabis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 77, 102689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102689 A490

Wilkins, C., Romeo, J.S., Rychert, M., & Graydon-Guy, T. (2020). Determinants of the retail price of illegal drugs in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy. Published online ahead of print April 10, doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102728. A489

Sanchez Lozano, C. D., Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2020) Investigating the New Zealand policy response to methamphetamine-contaminated houses. Drug Testing and Analysis, doi: 10.1002/dta.2782 A488

Rychert, M., Romeo, J. S., Wilkins, C., & Graydon-Guy, T. (2020). Could the community trust model be applied to regulate cannabis? Findings from a survey of two alcohol licensing trust communities in New Zealand. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 1-9. doi:10.1080/09687637.2019.1707776 A487

 Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., Parker, K., Graydon-Guy, T. (2020). Exploring medicinal use of cannabis in a time of policy change in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 22 May, 133, 54-69. A486

Wilkins, C., Rychert, M. (2020). The Government’s proposal to legalise cannabis in New Zealand: 10 key questions [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 22 May, 133, 9-15. A485

Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., & Noller, G. (2019). Medicinal Cannabis Scheme in New Zealand: lessons from international experience and our own recent drug policy reform setbacks. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1503), 8-12. A482

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2019). A 'community enterprise' model for recreational cannabis: Lessons from Alcohol Licensing Trusts in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 67, 72-78. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.03.007. A477

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2019). New Zealand's review of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013: a missed learning opportunity ahead of the national cannabis law reform referendum? Addiction, 114(6), 1129-1130. 10.1111/add.14589. A476

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2018). Understanding the development of a regulated market approach to new psychoactive substances (NPS) in New Zealand using Punctuated Equilibrium Theory. Addiction, 113(11), 2132-2139. A457

Wilkins, C., Rychert, M., Romeo, J., & Randerson, S. (2019). Smoke in our eyes: the Sense Partners’ evaluation of the legalisation of cannabis in New Zealand [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 132(1490), 6-9. https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/read-the-journal/all-issues/2010-2019/2019/vol-2132-no-1490-2022-february-2019/7811. A456

Wilkins, C., Romeo, J., Rychert, M., Prasad, J., & Graydon-Guy, T. (2018). Determinants of high availability of methamphetamine, cannabis, LSD and ecstasy in New Zealand: Are drug dealers promoting methamphetamine rather than cannabis? International Journal of Drug Policy, 61, 15-22. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.09.007. A455

Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2018). Responding to a new wave of high potency synthetic cannabinoids [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1481), 6-8. A449

Wilkins, C., Lai, F.-Y., O’Brien, J., Thai, P., & Mueller, J. (2018). Comparing methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, codeine and methadone use between the Auckland region and four Australian states using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1478), 12-20. A446

Wilkins, C., Sznitman, S., Decorte, T., Hakkarainen, P., & Lenton, S. (2018). Characteristics of cannabis cultivation in New Zealand and Israel. Drugs and Alcohol Today, 18(2), 90-98. A442

Belackova, V., & Wilkins, C. (2017). Consumer agency in cannabis supply – exploring auto-regulatory documents of the cannabis social clubs in Spain.  International Journal of Drug Policy, 54, 26-34. A428

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2018). A critical analysis of the implementation of a legal regulated market for new psychoactive substances ("legal highs") in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 55, 88-94. A425

Wilkins, C. (2018). A “not-for-profit” regulatory model for legal recreational cannabis: Insights from the regulation of gaming machine gambling in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 53, 115-122. A415

Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., Parker, K., & Witten, K. (2017). Are government-approved products containing new psychoactive substances perceived to be safer and more socially acceptable than alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs? Findings from a survey of police arrestees in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, published online Dec 29, doi: 10.1111/dar.12655. A416

Hakkarainen, P., Decorte, T., Sznitman, S., Karjalainen, K., Barratt, M., Frank, V., Lenton, S., Potter, G., Werse, B., Wilkins, C. (2017). Examining the blurred boundaries between medical and recreational cannabis: Results from an international study of small-scale cannabis cultivation. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, published online 18 December, https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.09682017.01411888

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C., & Witten, K. (2017). Issues with monitoring the safety of psychoactive products under a legal regulated market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) (‘legal highs’) in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36(5), 589-596, doi: 10.1111/dar.12467 [Abstract]. A405

Lai, F., Wilkins, C., Thai, P., & Mueller, J. (2017). An exploratory wastewater analysis study of drug use in Auckland, New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, published online 12 March, doi: 10.1111/dar.12509 [Abstract]. A404

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2016). Legal high industry business and lobbying strategies under a legal market for new psychoactive substances (NPS, ‘legal highs’) in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 37, 90-97. A402

Rychert, M., Wilkins, C., Witten, K. (2017). "Lost in translation": issues with the establishment of a legal market for ‘low risk’ psychoactive products (‘legal highs’) in New Zealand. Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy, Published online: 02 Feb, doi: 10.1080/09687637.09682017.01282422. A401

Wilkins, C. (2016). The case for medicinal cannabis: where there is smoke there may well be fire [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129, 11-14. A399

Wilkins, C., & Rychert, M. (2017). Recent developments with the New Zealand regulated market approach to 'low risk' psychoactive products. Addiction, 112, 32-39doi: 10.1111/add.13495. A396.

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2016). Thirty-one psychoactive plants exempted from New Zealand’s Psychoactive Substances Act 2013. Addiction, published online 23 August, doi: 10.1111/add.13526.

Wilkins, C. (2016). After the legalisation of cannabis: the Cannabis Incorporated Society (CIS) regulatory model for recreational cannabis in New Zealand [Editorial]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1433), 17-20. A378

Wilkins, C., Parker, K., Prasad, J., & Jawalkar, S. (2016). Do police arrestees substitute legal highs for other drugs? International Journal of Drug Policy, 31,74-9. A400

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2016). What products are considered psychoactive under New Zealand’s regulated legal market for new psychoactive substances (NPS, ‘legal highs’)? Implications for law enforcement and penalties. Drug Testing and Analysis, doi: 10.1002/dta.1943. A385

Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Wong, K., Rychert, M., & Graydon-Guy, T. (2015). An exploratory study of the health harms and utilisation of health services of frequent legal high users under the interim regulated legal high market in central Auckland. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1431), 51-58. A384

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2015). The challenge of a ban on animal testing for the development of a regulated legal market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) ('legal highs') in New Zealand: Issues and options for resolution. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26, 1273-1278. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.08.006. A372

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2015). Did we have the wrong debate about Elixinol™ and medicinal cannabis? New Zealand Medical Journal, 128(1421), 69-70.

Barratt, M., Potter, G., Wouters, M., Wilkins, C., Werse, B., Perälä, J., . . . Blok, T. (2015). Lessons from conducting trans-national Internet-mediated participatory research with hidden populations of cannabis cultivators. International Journal of Drug Policy, 26(3), 238-249. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.12.004. A371

Rychert, M., & Wilkins, C. (2015). Is the recent ban on animal testing of legal high products a fatal blow to the development of a legal market for ‘low-risk’ psychoactive products in New Zealand? [Letter]. Addiction, 110(4), 714-715. doi:10.1111/add.12853.

Wilkins, C. (2014). Recent developments with the establishment of a regulated legal market for new psychoactive substances ('legal highs') in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 33(6), 678-680. doi:10.1111/dar.12203.

Schneider, C., Zobel, F., & Wilkins, C. (2014). Neuseeland und die Reguliering von Neuen Psychoaktiven Substanzen / Looking for a new way: New Zealand and the regulation of NPS. SuchtMagazin, 6, 41-45.

Wilkins, C. (2014). The interim regulated legal market for NPS (‘legal high’) products in New Zealand: The impact of new retail restrictions and product licensing. Drug Testing and Analysis, 6, 868-875. DOI: 10.1002/dta.1643. A347

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., & Parker, K. (2014). The impact of the prohibition of benzylpiperazine (BZP) "legal highs" on the availability, price and strength of BZP in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 144, 47-52.

Wilkins, C. (2014). A critical first assessment of the new pre-market approval regime for new psychoactive substances (NPS) in New Zealand. Addiction, 109(10), 1580-1586.

Wilkins, C., Sheridan, J., Adams, P., Russell, B., & Newcombe, D. (2013). Reply to Sumnall (2013), 'The New Zealand new psychoactive substances regime - a step in the right direction, but questions still remain'. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 27(11),1078-1079.

Wilkins, C., Sheridan, J., Adams, P., Russell, B., Ram, S., & Newcombe, D. (2013). The new psychoactive substances regime in New Zealand: A different approach to regulation. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 27(7), 584-589, doi:10.1177/0269881113491441. A325

Wilkins, C., & Sweetsur, P. (2013). The impact of the prohibition of BZP legal highs on the prevalence of BZP, new legal highs and other drug use in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 127(1-3), 72-80. doi: org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.014. A323

Wilkins, C., & Sweetsur, P. (2012). Criminal justice outcomes for cannabis use offences in New Zealand, 1991–2008. International Journal of Drug Policy, doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2012.03.002.

Wilkins, C. (2011). A paradigm shift in recreational drug use: the challenge of legal highs in New Zealand [Letter]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 124(1339). A285

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., Griffiths, R. (2011). Recent trends in pharmaceutical drug use among frequent injecting drug users, frequent methamphetamine users and frequent ecstasy users in New Zealand, 2006–2009. Drug and Alcohol Review 30, 255-263. A276

Wilkins, C. & Sweetsur, P. (2011). The association between spending on methamphetamine/amphetamine and cannabis for personal use and earnings from acquisitive crime among police detainees in New Zealand. Addiction, 106(4). 789-797. [Abstract] 

Winstock, A. & Wilkins, C. (2011) 'Legal highs' - the challenge of psychoactive substances. Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies, Nr. 16.

Wilkins, C. & Sweetsur, P. (2010). Differences in harm from legal BZP/TFMPP party pills between North Island and South Island users in New Zealand: A case of effective industry self regulation? International Journal of Drug Policy, 21. 86-90. [Abstract] A246

Wilkins, C., & Sweetsur, P. (2010). The association between the number of days of methamphetamine use and the level of earnings from acquisitive crime among police detainees in New Zealand. Bulletin on Narcotics.

Bouchard, M. & Wilkins, C. (2009). Illegal markets and the economics of organized crime. Global Crime, 10. 1-5. [Abstract] A235

Wilkins C., Sweetsur P. and Girling M. (2008). Patterns of benzylpiperazine / trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (BZP/TFMPP) party pill use and adverse effects in a population sample in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 27. 633-639. [Abstract] A224

Wilkins, C., & Sweetsur, P. (2008). Tracking the availability of drugs in New Zealand: implications for policy response. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 34. 163-171. [Full text] A234

Wilkins, C., & Sweetsur, P. (2008). Trends in population drug use in New Zealand: findings from national household surveying of drug use in 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2006. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121. 61-71. [Full text] A216

Sheridan, J., Butler, R., Wilkins, C., Russell, B. (2007). Legal piperazine-containing party pills -- a new trend in substance misuse. Drug and Alcohol Review, 26. 335-343. [Abstract] A199

Wilkins C., Girling M. and Sweetsur P. (2007). The prevalence of use, dependency and harms of legal party pills containing BZP and TFMPP in New Zealand. Journal of Substance Use, 12(2). 1-12. [Abstract] A210

Wilkins, C. and Sweetsur, P. (2007). Individual dollar expenditure and earnings from cannabis in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 18. 187-193. [Abstract] A200

Wilkins, C., & Sweetsur, P. (2006). Exploring the structure of the illegal market for Cannabis. De Economist, 154(3). 547-562. [Abstract] A189

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P. and Casswell, S. (2006). Recent population trends in amphetamine use in New Zealand: Comparisons of findings from national household drug surveying in 1998, 2001 and 2003. New Zealand Medical Journal, 119(1244). [Full text] A190

Wilkins, C., Reilly, J., Rose, E. and Casswell, S. (2005). Characteristics of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) use in New Zealand: informing policy responses. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 25. 142-153. [Full text] A170

Wilkins, C., Reilly, J., Pledger, M. and Casswell, S. (2005). Estimating the dollar value of the illicit market for cannabis in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 24(3). 227-234. [Abstract]A169

Wilkins, C., Reiily, J., and Casswell, S. (2005). Cannabis ‘tinny’ houses in New Zealand: Implications for the use and sale of cannabis and other illicit drugs in New Zealand. Addiction, 100, 971-980. A168

Wilkins C, Pledger M, Bhatta K, Casswell S. (2004). Patterns of amphetamine use in New Zealand: findings from the 2001 National Drug Survey. New Zealand Medical Journal, 117. 796-. [Full text, PDF] A155

Wilkins, C. & Casswell, S. (2003). Cannabis cultivation and organised crime in New Zealand. Contemporary Drug Problems, 30(Winter). 757-777. A157

Wilkins, C., Bhatta, K., Pledger, M. & Casswell, S. (2003). Ecstacy use in New Zealand: Findings from the 1998 and 2001 national drug survey. New Zealand Medical Journal, 116. 383-393. [Full text, PDF] A147

Wilkins, C., Casswell, S., Moewaka Barnes, H. & Pledger, M. (2003). A pilot study of a computer-assisted cell-phone interview (CACI) methodology to survey respondents in households without telephones about alcohol use. Drug and Alcohol Review, 22. 221-225. [Abstract] A151

Wilkins, C. (2002). A 'demand side' estimate of the dollar value of the cannabis black market in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 21. 145-151. [Abstract] A137

Wilkins, C. (2002). Designer amphetamines in New Zealand: policy challenges and initiatives. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 19. 14-27. [Full text] A150

Wilkins, C. (2002). The cannabis black market and the case for the legislation of cannabis in New Zealand. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 18. 31-43. [Full text] A139

Wilkins, C., Bhatta, K, and Casswell, S. (2002). The Effectiveness of Cannabis Eradication Operations in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 21. 369-374. [Abstract] A143

Wilkins, C., Casswell, S., Bhatta, K., Casswell, S. (2002). The emergence of amphetamine use in New Zealand: findings from the 1998 and 2001 National Drug Surveys. New Zealand Medical Journal, 115(1166). 256-263. [Full text] A142

Wilkins, C. (2001). A 'new institutional economics' approach to the reliability of street-level drug transactions. Contemporary Drug Problems, 28. 679-693. [Abstract] A136

Wilkins, C. (2001). Cannabis transactions and law reform. Agenda, 8. 321-331. [Full text, PDF] A132

Wilkins, C., Scrimgeour, F. (2000). Economics and the Legalisation of Drugs. Agenda, 7. 334-344. [Full text, PDF] A128

Reports

IDMS Reports

Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Romeo, J. S., & Rychert, M. (2017). Recent trends in illegal drug use in New Zealand, 2006-2016: Findings from the Illicit Drug Monitoring System. December. Auckland: Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), College of Health, Massey University. IDMS Report 2006-2016

 Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Parker, K., Wong, K., & Rychert, M. (2017). Recent trends in illegal drug use in New Zealand 2006–2015: Findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University. IDMS Report 2006-2015

Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Wong, K., & Rychert, M. (2015). Recent trends in illegal drug use in New Zealand 2006-2014: Findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Illegal Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University. IDMS Report 2006-2014

Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Wong, K., & Rychert, M. (2014). Recent trends in illegal drug use in New Zealand 2006-2013: Findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University. IDMS Report 2006-2013

Wilkins, C., Jawalkar, S., & Parker, K. (2013). Recent trends in illegal drug use in New Zealand 2006-2012: Findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: SHORE and Whariki Research Centre, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., Smart, B., Warne, C., & Jawalkar, S. (2012). Recent Trends in Illegal Drug Use in New Zealand, 2006-2011: Findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), SHORE and Whariki Research Centre, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., Smart, B., & Griffiths, R. (2011). Recent Trends in Illegal Drug Use in New Zealand, 2006-2010: Findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Griffiths, R., & Sweetsur, P. (2010). Recent Trends in Illegal Drug Use in New Zealand, 2006-2009: Findings from the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation, School of Public Health, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Griffiths, R., & Sweetsur, P. (2009). Recent Trends in Illegal Drug Use in New Zealand, 2006-2008 - Findings from the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., & Girling, M. (2008). Trends in Drug Use in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch: Findings from the Three Site Locations of the 2006 and 2007 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). (Draft). Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation & Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Girling, M., & Sweetsur, P. (2008). Recent Trends in Drug Use in New Zealand, 2005-2007: Findings from the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation & Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Girling, M., & Sweetsur, P. (2007). Recent Trends in Illegal Drug Use in New Zealand, 2006 - Findings from the Combined Modules of the 2006 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS): Final Report. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE) & Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., & Rose, E. (2003). A Scoping Report on the Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University.

NZ-ADUM Reports

Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Parker, K., Moewaka Barnes, H., Asiasiga, L., & Rychert, M. (2017). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) 2010–2016. Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University. NZ-ADUM Report 2010-2016

 Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Moewaka Barnes, H., Romeo, J. S., & Rychert, M. (2017). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) 2016 Report. Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University. NZ-ADUM Report 2016

Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Parker, K., Rychert, M., & Moewaka Barnes, H. (2016). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) 2010 - 2015. Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University. NZ-ADUM Report 2010-2015

Wilkins, C., Prasad, J., Parker, K., Moewaka Barnes, H., Asiasiga, L., & Rychert, M. (2015). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) 2010 - 2014. Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University. NZ-ADUM Report 2010-2014

Wilkins, C., Jawalkar, P., Moewaka Barnes, H., Parker, K., & Asiasiga, L. (2014). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) 2010 - 2013. Auckland: SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, Massey University. NZ-ADUM Report 2013

Wilkins, C., Jawalkar, P., Moewaka Barnes, H., Parker, K., & Asiasiga, L. (2012). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) - 2012 Report. Auckland: SHORE and Whariki Research Centre, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., Moewaka Barnes, H., Smart, B., Asiasiga, L., & Warne, C. (2012). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) - 2011 Results. Auckland: SHORE and Whariki Research Centre, School of Public Health, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., Moewaka Barnes, H., Griffiths, R., Asiasiga, L., & Smart, B. (2010). New Zealand Arrestee Drug Use Monitoring (NZ-ADUM) 2010 Report. Auckland: Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation & Te Ropu Whariki, SHORE and Whariki Research Centre, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., Pledger, M., Lee, A., Adams, R., & Rose, E. (2004). A Local Pilot of the New Zealand Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NZ-ADAM) System. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE) and Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University.

Wilkins, C., & Rose, E. (2003). A Scoping Report on NZ-ADAM. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University.


Published in February 2020 - Legalizing Cannabis: Experiences, Lessons and Scenarios, edited by Tom DeCorte, Simon Lenton and Chris Wilkins, and incorporating chapters by Marta Rychert and Chris Wilkins on ‘How not to legalize cannabis’ and ‘The risks of cannabis industry funding of community and drug treatment services’.

Research Bulletins from the New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS)

Read about the preliminary findings from the NZ Drug Trends Survey: What drug is more available in New Zealand: Cannabis or Methamphetamine? (Bulletin 1, March 2018)

Check out our second research bulletin from the New Zealand Drug Trends survey on drug dependency and need for help for your region (Bulletin 2, March 2018)

Another research bulletin has been released from the New Zealand Drug Trends survey on preferred options for cannabis law reform in New Zealand (October, 2018)