Get the Msg! Information for generation text

Common questions about the Drug Foundation’s text message drug information service

What is this service?

Get the Msg! is a drug information service via mobile text messaging. It provides people credible and factual health and safety information about drugs in a discrete and accessible way wherever they are and at anytime of the day.

How do I use it?

Simply text the name of the drug you want to know about to “DRUG” (3784). You’ll then receive a short factual health and safety message about that drug, as well as links to further information and help.

For example, text “pot” (or “dope”, “weed” etc) to DRUG (3784). You’ll receive this message “Cannabis User relaxed Affects coordination & motivation Heavy & long term use linked to memory loss psychosis & respiratory illness drug.org.nz 0800787797”.

How much does it cost to use?

The service is free.

Who is it for? Who can use it?

Get the Msg! is targeted directly to young people – but can be used by anyone, including parents, people who work with young people, health services and ambulance and first aid workers.

Effective healthcare largely depends on the accessibility of health care services. A high proportion of young New Zealanders own mobile phones. International research shows teenagers are increasingly using their mobile phones to receive health advice.

Anyone with a Vodafone or Telecom mobile phone can use the service free of charge.

Who provides the service?

Get the Msg! is a service of the New Zealand Drug Foundation:

The New Zealand Drug Foundation, established in 1990, is an independent trust dedicated to reducing the harm by illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco in New Zealand communities.

We are a leading advocate for the harm minimisation and harm reduction approach to drug issues. This means we use rigorous and robust analysis of high quality evidence which has proven to have the greatest effect in minimising the harm than can result from the use of legal and illicit drugs.

Go here for more information about the Drug Foundation

What if someone needs help or is in serious trouble or danger?

Get the Msg! picks up certain key words, such as HELP, and advises people to either call 111 in an emergency, or the Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 – which is a portal to local treatment services and further health information.

Isn’t this teaching people to use drugs?

New Zealanders use drugs. That cause harms and add social, health and economic costs to individuals, families and communities. Preventing and reducing those harms is a big challenge for New Zealand, especially drug use among young people.

The Drug Foundation firmly believes that better knowledge and understanding about drugs is a key way New Zealand can reduce risks to individuals and the community.

Communication that is non-judgemental and factual helps minimise drug harms.

What about my privacy?
(Is this service confidential? If I use the service will my details be passed to the Police? What information is collected about me? Who can see my personal details?

The service is 100% confidential – that’s an important benefit of the service.

The Drug Foundation’s database has no ability to collect user details, such as a person’s phone number. The sole purpose of the service is to provide credible and factual health and safety information in a confidential and discreet way.

Why mobile phones? Isn’t the information provided too brief to be useful?

Get the Msg! gives brief drug information to young people. By using mobile phones we can provide fast information around the clock about legal and illicit drugs in different social settings.

We’re able to link people with our website for further detailed additional information about drugs, as well as links directly to the Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797. This ensures people are provided access to further information and support, if they need it.

What about incorrect names or spelling mistakes?

The database of drug names includes many variations, including slang, street names and common misspellings. If there are names that the system doesn’t recognise, it will ask the user to try another name. It will also report back to the operators with new names and misspellings so that we can stay-up-to-date with the latest names for drugs and new substances.

Go here for our Matters of Substance article about Get the Msg!