Get active in drug policy
Hot topics: alcohol | drug law review
The Government and its agencies, Parliament and other organisations often seek comment and input into drug policy issues. This might be in the form of consultations or inviting submissions to select committees, or seeking expert comment on draft policies.
The Drug Foundation often gets involved in such work, and also takes a lead role in encouraging others to get involved, and supporting them when they do.
[If you're interested in drug policy, or you want to get active in the policy work of the Drug Foundation you could become a member]
This section will provide advice and support for people to take action.
Current issues
Alcohol policy
Labour MP George Hawkins has introduced a members bill proposing to restrict the number of liquor outlets by placing tighter controls on the approvals process. Members of Parliament have backed the bill voting it through it first reading on a 113-2 vote. The Social Services Select Committee Parliament is inviting public submissions on the Sale of Liquor (Objections to Applications) Amendment Bill. The closing date for submissions was Friday, 15 August 2008.
The Government has now entered into the long running alcohol debate and introduced to Parliament the Sale of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill, led by Minister Lianne Dalziel. The bill will give communities and local authoraties a greater say over liquor licensing. The bill is also aimed at addressing youth issues including a zero-alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 20 without a full licence and tougher enforcement and penalities for the sale of liquor to minors. The bill was complemented with the announcement that the Law Commission will undertake an independent and comprehensive two and a half year review into the legal framework of the sale of liquor laws and report back to parliament with a draft bill. We are very pleased with this, and have urged the Prime Minister and other MPs to stay involved in this debate.
Global alcohol strategy
At the May World Health Assembly the World Health Organisation (WHO) was tasked with the development of a global strategy to combat the harmful use of alcohol. The WHO has opened to floor to interested parties across the globe to share their views on effective strategies to tackle the harm from alcohol. A website is dedicated to the global public hearing which will run from the 3rd October - 31st October where parties can submit their views. The submissions will form part of the documentation to be considered and discussed at a series of meetings planned for November this year.
National Alcohol Action Plan Consultation
The Inter Agency Committee on Drugs is seeking feedback on the draft National Alcohol Action Plan. A consultation document is avaliable and outlines proposed approaches, priorites and actions which will form the National Alcohol Action Plan. The National Alcohol Action Plan will inform the direction of future alcohol policies and interventions in New Zealand over the next five years, so don't miss out on the chance to have your say on what New Zealand should be doing to prevent and reduce alcohol related harm. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 7 November 2008.
Review of Misuse of Drugs Act
In June, the minister responsible for drug policy announced a major review of our 30-plus-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act. We were very pleased with this.
The Law Commission is leading this review. Nothing's been announced about terms of reference, timing, consultations etc - but when it is, we'll announce it here.
