International Drug Policy Symposium 2009 - Through the Maze: Healthy drug law
"It is often forgotten that health is the first principle of drug policy". Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Drug policy and politics are on a collision course. Global awareness is increasing about the escalating health, social, cultural and economic costs of drug use. The multi-level interplay between law, research, policy and practice, aimed at reducing the consequences of drug use, seem only to be making things worse. Diverse research findings, persistent problems and lack of short-term progress have sparked challenging discussions among governments and civil society on how best to address these difficult issues.
The New Zealand Drug Foundation and the New Zealand Society on Alcohol and Drug Dependence hosted an invitation-only International Drug Policy Symposium, Through the Maze: Healthy Drug Law, at Te Papa Tongarewa – The Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, 18-19 February 2009.
Presentations
Mihi Whakatau/Welcome
- Hon Peter Dunne, Associate Minister of Health [PDF]
- Hon Max Bradford, Chairperson, New Zealand Society on Alcohol and Drug Dependence [PDF]
- Tim Harding, Chairperson, New Zealand Drug Foundation [PDF]
Roundtable: Setting the scene
- Sandeep Chawla, Director, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
- Mike Trace, Chairperson, International Drug Policy Consortium
- Warren Young, Deputy President, New Zealand Law Commission
The challenges of reviewing drug laws [presentation, PDF] - Rob Pope, Deputy Commissioner, New Zealand Police
Public health approaches to drug control
- Scott Burris, Professor of Law, Temple Law School
Where do we go from here? A constitution for drug control [presentation, PDF | essay] - Dr Margaret Hamilton, Australian National Council on Drugs
Reflections on emergence of public health approaches to drug policy [presentation, PDF]
The right to health and treatment
- Steve Allsop, Director, National Drug Research Institute, Perth
What can we learn from giving up? [presentation, PDF] - Tony Trimingham, Family Drug Support, Australia
- Matthew Bird, New Zealand Drug Foundation
- Lynette Hutson, National Manager, Addiction and Supportive Accommodation Services, Salvation Army
Rights, responsibilities, costs and benefits [presentation, PDF]
Special session on cannabis
- Presentation by the Beckley Foundation's Global Cannabis Commission, Professor Robin Room
Cannabis policy: Moving beyond the stalemate [presentation, PDF] - Steve Allsop, Director, National Drug Research Institute, Perth
Stirring the pot: Cannabis and rational policy [presentation, PDF] - Jeremy Sare, Former Head of Drug Legislation and Classification, Home Office, UK
Stop making sense [presentation, PDF | essay] - David Fergusson, Executive Director, Christchurch Health and Development Study Comments on global commission report [presentation, PDF]
Drug law, health inequalities and discrimination
- Deborah Peterson Small, Executive Director, Break the Chains
- Denis O'Reilly, Community Action on Youth and Drugs, Mokai Whānau Ora
Addressing law, health, and discrimination through front line community action [presentation, PDF] - The Honourable Judge A J Becroft, Principal Youth Court Judge
Drug law and the Youth Court [essay]
Balancing public health and public security
- Gino Vumbaca, Executive Officer, Australian National Council on Drugs
- Greg O'Connor, President, New Zealand Police Association
- Mike Trace, Chairperson, International Drug Policy Consortium
Videos
Our latest videos from the February 2009 symposium - Through the maze: Healthy drug law.
Setting the scene
Criminal justice system
Addiction treatment
Methamphetamine
Cannabis
About the organisers
The New Zealand Drug Foundation is as an independent, non-government drug policy agency at the forefront of the drug policy debate in New Zealand. It is a solid and reputable organisation that provides sharp policy analysis and fosters inter-agency dialogue on alcohol and illicit drug policy issues.
The New Zealand Society on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NSAD) has been intrinsically involved in the development of alcohol and drug treatment services since 1954. Today NSAD supports and advocates for greater understanding and funding for prevention and the education and treatment of those suffering from drug and alcohol dependence. It is a major supplier of treatment services with a particular focus on the delivery of treatment in justice settings.
Press releases
Drug policy symposium an unprecedented event
What alternative to the War on Drugs?
Communities need to re-think drug attitudes
Harsh cannabis laws defy good sense
Treatment smartest option for drug offenders
Law & health must co-operate to reduce drug harm
Commitment needed for international drug control