Matters of Substance February 2007 contents
Cover Story
Pain, pot and politics
The Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill would allow doctors to prescribe cannabis to patients with specific serious medical conditions. But is fear and prejudice likely to deny many New Zealanders the help they need? Sarah Daniell looks at the issue.
Features
'I think we're stuck with 18'
The bill to return the legal alcohol purchasing age to 20 was roundly defeated in Parliament. Ross Bell writes about what that bodes for future liquor laws.
Party pills in the headlines - again
Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton is currently taking advice from manufacturers, retailers, researchers and the community on whether to make party pills illegal. We tell you what we told him.
Calling time on self interest
The government's review on alcohol advertising controls is expected out soon. Will the alcohol industry be required to make some changes to the way it advertises its own products? Leigh Sturgiss outlines the Drug Foundation's position.
Light on truth
We all know that smoking light cigarettes is better for you, don't we? Those lighter-coloured packets and lower tar yields are somewhat re-assuring. Leigh Sturgiss presents some bad news in this regard.
Holistic healing and moose stew
Keriata Stuart attended the fifth Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Gathering in Edmonton in 2006. She found it a rich, varied and enlightening experience and shares with us her impressions.
Drinking for two
More than half the women who gave birth in the last five years in New Zealand drank while pregnant. A significant proportion drank to excess on at least one occasion. Keriata Stuart writes about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in New Zealand.
Making a hash of it?
We examine the UK Drug classification controversy and its relevance to New Zealand where national drug policy development is continuing.
Regulars
Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell welcomes you to the first new look Matters of Substance quarterly.
Guest Editorial - The vanguard of harm reduction: The future of New Zealand's needle exchange
Needle Exchange Programme National Manager Charles Henderson writes about the programme's current status and what should happen to ensure its future.
Opinion - Same as it ever was: drugs past, present and future
Doug Sellman explains why drugs have always been important to humans, and why the future is likely to be no different.
Mythbusters: P and tinny houses
Stories about P being pushed at tinny houses are now regular media fare. Just how true are such claims? Mythbusters pick away at the fictions.
