Media Release
15 March 2007
Minister launches National Drug Policy
Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton has launched a new New Zealand National Drug Policy in Wellington today. The Policy is the Government's five-year framework for preventing and reducing harm from alcohol, tobacco and illegal and other drugs.
Today's launch is the second Policy, and is aiming to build on initiatives already underway, including Clearing the Smoke - a five year plan for tobacco control in New Zealandand the Methamphetamine Action Plan.
"The new Policy aims to have a broader focus than the first, to encompass the social, economic and health harms caused by drugs," said Mr Anderton.
The Policy will have three main areas of importance - alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. The Government is working with the Ministry of Health and ALAC to change the attitudes towards alcohol.
Tobacco
Tobacco is also a significant area that the National Drug Policy will focus on, with work continuing along the lines drawn out in the first Policy. The Smoke-free Environments Act has been amended to provide for all indoor workplaces to be 100% smokefree. This includes all bars and restaurants and has significantly reduced the number of people being exposed to toxins in second-hand smoke.
In early 2008 pictorial health warnings will be introduced. The warnings are designed to graphically inform smokers, and those contemplating smoking, of the huge range and seriousness of smoking related illnesses. The new pictorial warnings will cover 30% of the front and 90% of the back of a pack of cigarettes.
Alcohol
"There is a culture of binge drinking among youth in New Zealand. The reality is that young people are reflecting the drinking attitudes and behaviours of adult New Zealanders and we have to acknowledge that this is part of the problem and redefine ourselves as a nation to get away from the pride we seem to have in our 'hard-drinking' culture", said Mr Anderton.
Alcohol is the most commonly used recreational drug and one associated with injuries, mental health, strokes, cancers of the mouth, throat, breast and liver as well as economic and social harms such as unemployment, violence and family breakdown. The Government has two reviews ongoing to address regulation of alcohol advertising and the sale and supply of alcohol to minors.
Illegal and other drugs
Since the first National Drug Policy was launched New Zealand has experienced a significant increase in the availability of methamphetamine, although there is evidence that this increase has now levelled out. The Government has classified methamphetamine as a Class A drug and has developed a Methamphetamine Action Plan to ensure that this drug is effectively controlled.
There has also been a rise in so called "party pills" which contain the restricted substance benzylpiperazine (BZP). The Misuse of Drugs Act has been amended to create a new category of restricted substances that may not be sold to people under 18, and may not be advertised in certain media as well as providing for other restrictions on their availability. Government is awaiting the results of its public consultation on BZP before deciding whether to accept the advice of the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs to classify it as a Class C illegal drug.
What is the National Drug Policy?
The National Drug Policy 2007-2012 is the Government's five-year policy framework for preventing and reducing the harm from alcohol, tobacco and illegal and other drugs. It is an inter-agency policy developed by the Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy. This is the second National Drug Policy, building on the first with a broader focus to encompass the social, economic, as well as health harms caused by drugs.
Why?
The National Drug Policy is an umbrella document to bring together government and non-government policy and responses to drug issues. It is a way for Government to show leadership on drug policy and coordinate the actions of all the different Government agencies tasked with addressing drug-related harms.
What are the objectives of the NDP?
To prevent or delay the uptake of drugs, reduce drug-related harms, make families and communities safer and reduce the cost of drug abuse to individuals, society and government.
Who will it affect?
With over 80% of New Zealand's population having consumed alcohol in the last 12 months and 23.5% being current smokers, most New Zealanders are potentially affected by the National Drug Policy. However, it is those suffering from or at risk from drug-related harms who are the particular target of this Government policy. An important focus of the National Drug Policy are population groups disproportionately affected by drug-related harms which include young people, Maori and Pacific peoples.
How will it be implemented?
There are a number of current action plans or strategies which fall under the general auspices of the National Drug Policy and further action plans will be developed over the next five years. Not only is collaboration between government agencies a key feature of the National Drug Policy, but working with NGOs and communities will be an important focus for future action plans. One of the most important aspects of the second National Drug Policy will be the access to current information on drugs through "Evidence On-Line" which will provide an accessible portal to a range of data from across Government as well as regular updates on emerging evidence.
Where can I find out more?
The National Drug Policy can be found at www.ndp.govt.nz
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Michael Flyger
Media Advisor
Ph: (04) 496 2265