Drugs

Drugs in New Zealand
www.moh.govt.nz/drugs

In this section:

Latest News

National Drug Policy Discretionary Grant Fund (Jan 2008)
Proposals are invited for the 2007/08 round of the National Drug Policy Grant Fund.

Drug Use in New Zealand: Analysis of the 2003 New Zealand Health Behaviours Survey – Drug Use (Dec 2007)
This publications presents valuable information about patterns of recreational drug use among New Zealanders. In particular, this report focuses on the use of cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy, and the harms caused by drug use.

Drug education, research proposals receive funding (20 Dec 2004)
Six further projects relating to drug education and research are to receive funding from the recently-established National Drug Policy Discretionary Fund.

Illicit Drugs
Cannabis
Cannabis is the third most commonly-used recreational drug in New Zealand, after alcohol and tobacco. It is the most widely used illegal drug.

View the Ministry of Health publications relating to Cannabis

Ephedrine
Ephedrine has legitimate uses, including as a prescription medicine for a number of ailments. The EACD recently considered the classification of psuedoephedrine as a controlled drug and recommended to the Associate Minister of Health Hon Jim Anderton that pseudoephedrine be classified as a C3 controlled drug.

Further information on Ephedrine is available on the National Drug Policy website (www.ndp.govt.nz)

Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a key precursor chemical used in the illicit production of methamphetamine. PSE has a number of legitimate uses, including as an ingredient of pharmacy cough and cold products.

Further information on Ephedrine is available on the National Drug Policy website (www.ndp.govt.nz)

Fantasy
'Fantasy' is the common name for Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and its related substances including: 1,4-butanediol (1,4-B), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), sodium oxybate.

Further information on Fantasy is available on the National Drug Policy website (www.ndp.govt.nz)

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
GHB commonly exists as a colourless, odourless liquid usually sold in small bottles. It has also has been seen in powder and capsule form. It is mostly taken orally, however, there have been reports of injection. It may have a slight salty taste.

GHB is also known as 'Fantasy', 'Grievous Bodily Harm' or 'Liquid Ecstasy'. GHB’s sodium salt is called sodium oxybate and may take the form of a white powder.

Further information is available on the National Drug Policy website (www.ndp.govt.nz)

Other drugs
Kava
Kava is a drink made from the Piper Methysticum plant. It is widely used in Pacific communities, largely for ceremonial purposes.

Kava is usually made by mixing a dry powered root with water. The strength of kava depends on the plant from which it is prepared and the preparation methods.

Kava resin contains active chemicals know as kava lactones. While 15 lactones have been identified, six are thought to account for the majority of kava's effects.

Further information on Kava is available on the National Drug Policy website (www.ndp.govt.nz)

Solvents
Solvents or inhalants give off a vapour or fumes at room temperature. The most common inhalants and solvents are: adhesives, thinners, petrol aerosol sprays, gas, paint, anti-freeze, and amyl and butyl nitrates.

Solvent use in New Zealand is not widespread. However, from time to time some communities identify small groups of young people using solvents. For most young people solvent use is a short-term activity.

Further information is available on the National Drug Policy website (www.ndp.govt.nz)

Ministry of Health Publications
Strategies
National Drug Policy 2007-2012
The National Drug Policy 2007-2012 builds on the first National Drug Policy 1998-2003 (Ministry of Health, 1998). It sets out the Government's policy for tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs within a single framework. It does this by establishing the goals, objectives and principles that will guide drug policy and intersectoral decision-making about the best way to address the harms caused by drug use, and identifies the population groups that require special attention.

A National Strategic Framework for Alcohol and Drug Services (October 2001)
The Ministry of Health has produced this strategy to assist with the development of alcohol and other drug treatment services for people with substantial to severe substance use related problems.

Methamphetamine Action Plan (May 2003) (www.ndp.govt.nz)
Methamphetamine is currently one of New Zealand’s significant illicit drug issues. Actions to deal with methamphetamine have, to date, been carried out by individual departments and non-government organisations with some co-operation, however, this plan will initiate a ‘whole of government’ approach to the problem.

National Alcohol Strategy 2000-2003

Guidelines
National Guidelines: Interim methadone prescribing
Interim Prescribing of methadone for people on opioid treatment waiting lists assists in reducing withdrawal symptoms, reduce opioid drug craving and thus contributing to reducing other health and social harms.

Opioid Substitution Treatment New Zealand Practice Guidelines
These Opioid Substitution Treatment New Zealand Practice Guidelines provide a framework for the effective, safe and responsive delivery of opioid substitution treatment and will supersede the National Protocol for Methadone Treatment in New Zealand (1996) from 1 February 2003.

Legislation
Review of the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act 1966 (1999)
This review of the ADA Act is one of the directions in the Government's National Drug Policy which was released in July 1998. The ADA Act provides for the compulsory detention and treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts at certified institutions, and is administered by the Ministry of Health.

Surveys
Drug Use in New Zealand: Analysis of the 2003 New Zealand Health Behaviours Survey – Drug Use
This publications presents valuable information about patterns of recreational drug use among New Zealanders. In particular, this report focuses on the use of cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy, and the harms caused by drug use.

Tools
Service Audit and Review Tool: Opioid Substitution Treatment in New Zealand
The Service Audit and Review Tool is to be used as a quality tool for opioid treatment services and auditors.

DHB Toolkit - Alcohol and drugs
This toolkit specifically addresses the priority area: 'minimise harm caused by alcohol and illicit and other drug use to both individuals and the community.

Drink Spiking
Drink Spiking and Drug Assisted Rape - guidelines on keeping safe

Dance Parties
Dance Party Goers...What U Should Know
There are lots of things you need to think about if you're planning to take drugs. You need to know about the risks and ways to keep yourself and your friends safe. The safest option is not to take drugs at all, but if you're going to, then be prepared. This pamphlet covers these issues.

Guidelines for Safe Dance Parties - the Big Book
Dance parties are becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand. As the dance scene is evolving, venues are changing from established or mainstream clubs to a growing trend for more outside and underground events. These developments may raise health and safety issues.

The Ministry of Health hopes that these guidelines will be voluntarily adopted and widely used by operators who hold dance parties. They are intended as a guideline of best practice for organising dance events.

Related information

Community Alcohol and Drug Services (www.cads.org.nz)
CADS is an Auckland-based organisation providing education and counselling for those with alcohol or drug problems. Counselling and advice is also provided for family and friends concerned about another’s drug use.

CADS has produced 'sorted' to assist people who want to be better informed about the effects of drugs commonly used to party.

New Zealand Drug Foundation (www.nzdf.org.nz)
The New Zealand Drug Foundation is committed to reducing and preventing the harm caused by drugs in New Zealand. This includes social and health harms caused by legal drugs, such as tobacco and alcohol, as well as illegal drugs, such as cannabis.

Urge (www.urge.co.nz)
Urge/Whakamanawa is a youth (health) and information service designed to assist young people find useful information or resources to help them regarding a variety of youth related topics.

Australian Drug Information Network
The Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN) provides a central point of access to quality Internet-based alcohol and drug information provided by prominent organisations in Australia and Internationally.

New Zealand Drug Statistics ( 2001) (www.nzhis.govt.nz)
This report collates a diverse range of statistics relating to drugs and drug use in New Zealand. Its primary focus is on drugs used recreationally or due to dependence. It includes legal and illegal drugs.

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Page last updated 5 September 2007