Matters of Substance February 2012
Cover story
Popular TV show The Wire is a disturbingly realistic portrayal of an American city ravaged by violence, corruption and a thriving drugs trade. Hamish McKenzie looks at where Balitmore is now and whether the war on drugs the show depicted has made any difference at all.
Features
ALAC's new low-risk drinking guidelines
Chief Executive Gerard Vaughan explains how ALAC has reviewed its low-risk drinking advice in light of new evidence. But because we love a good debate, we’ve also included Prof Doug Sellman’s opinion that population-based guidelines may not be all that helpful in the long run.
When sunshine fails to disinfect
The Association of Community Retailers, a thinly disguised front for big tobacco, is up to its old tricks again, clumsily
masquerading professional PR as corner shopkeeper comment. And unfortunately, Keith Ng observes, the media seem to have been completely taken in.
Driving high; would you like facts with that?
There’s a lot of mythology around drugging and driving. Some even think they drive better when they’re buzzed or baked. The Drug Foundation’s new Driving High campaign suggests the facts may be otherwise.
Regulars
Executive Director Ross Bell talks about Chris Kennedy Lawford’s New Zealand visit.
We may be relieved that embarrassing news coverage of debauched Kiwi behaviour on Waitangi Day in London turned out to be largely fiction. But, asks Richard Boock, what does that coverage tell us about the state of our ‘responsible’ media?
Guest Editorial - Time for a Pacific focus
Pacific Island nations and territories often have very different alcohol and drug-use profiles to more developed Asia-Pacific countries. Robert Ali argues Australia and New Zealand must take that into account when developing drug-control initiatives within the wider region.
Viewpoints - Should needle exchange programmes be introduced into prisons?
Would giving prisoners clean needles increase or reduce drug-related harms to communities, prison staff and the inmates themselves? Viewpoints presents the arguments on both sides of yet another tricky issue.
Mythbusters - Is meth really that bad for you?
New research suggests that old research into the damaging effects of methamphetamine may have been a little flawed. But does that mean it’s OK to take the drug, and could it actually do you some good?
