Drugs

Monitoring recent trends in drug use and drug markets

The proportion of police arrestees who reported using methamphetamine increased from 26% in 2010 to 38% in 2016. 2016 NZ-ADUM

The proportion of frequent drug users who had tried a new drug for the first time increased from 24% in 2009 to 37% in 2014 2014 IDMS.

The proportion of frequent drug users who purchased methamphetamine from a gang member increased from 36% in 2013 to 50% in 2014. 2014 IDMS

The emergence of new psychoactive substances (“legal highs”)

Twenty percent of those who used synthetic cannabinoids reported reducing their use of natural cannabis. Read more

New methodologies to monitor drug use

A wastewater study in Auckland found high levels of methamphetamine use but low levels of MDMA and cocaine use. Read more

More information on our drugs research here

Evaluating the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013

A number of concerns were raised about the design of the Psychoactive Substances legislation. Read more

Concerns have been raised about the types of “legal high” products approved under the psychoactive substances regime. Read more

Designing future regulatory options for cannabis

“Not-for-profit” incorporated societies could be licensed to sell cannabis and be required to return 40% of sales income to drug treatment and community groups and a further 20% to the government in levies, similar to “pokie” and alcohol trusts.
Read more

Cannabis “clubs” could provide cannabis to club members and promote responsible use without any need for retail outlets. Read more