Hard News by Russell Brown

an ecstasy-related death by expediting a terrible bill.... that cracked down on drug utensils

Ban ecstacy utensils! Er.. fingers?

It didn't really fit within the ambit of a strategic document, but one thing the government can do to cut the number of drug deaths is get with the damn programme and approve naloxone for widespread use.

Read Ross Bell here.

And Amberleigh Jack here.

But they are, and removing them would unequivocally cause additional harm.

I think that depends on whether you are one of those people who sees any kind of use as harm (probably thinking of brain damage), and therefore anything that makes healthier (for the lungs) use convenient is something that makes unhealthier (for the brain) use more likely. It's a hard mindset to get into, but it's really the same one that thinks hurting people with the law is good for them. I'd say a lot of people think like this.

Good summary, Russell. I don't think we can overstate the political context under which the policy was developed - we have a conservative, right-wing government which releases a drug policy that says "alcohol and other drug problems are first and foremost health issues." There's no use of the word "scourge", or "evil". The tone is important - I think it's a significant shift. And yes, one that needs to be backed by health-focused actions.

We reckon there's heaps in the new policy to work with. You highlight the "early warning system" - that's a great start. And while MODA hasn't been chucked in the bin where it belongs, I reckon there's enough of a hook in what's in the policy to make some pragmatic changes.

I also want to highlight something - the policy has benefited greatly from the direct input of "civil society". In fact, the policy's goal was drawn directly from a consultation/consensus building process we ran 2 years ago. Many other themes were also drawn from this process which involved people in recovery, treatment providers, people who use drugs, grandparents who are raising their grandkids, and even the Police Association.

You mention the education component. Yeah, that's part of it (and it will need to be done right). But one of the first things being looked at here is a destigmatisation programme - *possibly* along the lines of the Like Minds, Like Mine mental health work. That could be a bloody important piece of work.

Finally, the Drug Harm Index refresh - we understand this is being led by Ministry of Health this time, not the Police.

we have a conservative, right-wing government which releases a drug policy that says "alcohol and other drug problems are first and foremost health issues." There's no use of the word "scourge", or "evil".

Perhaps another sign that the libertarian right is well in control of the stodgy, rural, conservative Nats. I guess there are winners and loser in that.

But one of the first things being looked at here is a destigmatisation programme - *possibly* along the lines of the Like Minds, Like Mine mental health work. That could be a bloody important piece of work.

Hell yes. Especially having a story due out any day with Matters of Substance that highlights the damage stigma does.

Finally, the Drug Harm Index refresh - we understand this is being led by Ministry of Health this time, not the Police.

Woo-hoo! That's more than an "update" or "refresh"! I am immensely cheered by this.

Perhaps another sign that the libertarian right is well in control of the stodgy, rural, conservative Nats. I guess there are winners and loser in that.

I actually don't think the attitude to law reform is based on political principle at all. It's political risk-averseness – and clearly not helped by what happened with the Psychoactive Substances Act.

Coleman and Key aren't acting on principle when they dismiss reform – and I don't think Simon Power ever voiced a political principle in his life. They just see risk and no upside.

To be fair, Labour also has plenty of this in its ranks.

To be fair, Labour also has plenty of this in its ranks.

Yep. And there was silence from all parties in respsonse to the new policy. And only NZ First sent an MP to the launch.

An interesting statistic, reported on Monday, shows alcohol sales have increased after marijuana was legalised in USA states like Colorado - the opposite to liquor industry expectations. I think this may be because users are able to budget better since there are no supply issues, or because the price of weed has decreased - and therefore they have more money left over to spend on booze. Either way, the alcohol companies should probably start backing decriminalisation or legalisation of marijuana based on these stats. I expect that like their US counterparts, the kiwi brewers would have resisted enshrining any competition from legal marijuana up until now (but this is a guess).
Marijuana should have been legalised 40 years ago - saving us billions of dollars in unpaid tax, saving hundreds of thousands of kiwis from punishment by the state for a victimless crime, removing a huge economic boost to criminal gangs and resulting in better health outcomes for users who would no longer be as likely to hide their habit from medical professionals etc.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/31/alcohol-industry-sales-marijuana-colorado