Matters of Substance
May 2023
A Psychedelic Renaissance? 'Blue Honey' and what's next for psilocybin in Aotearoa
Get the latest on drugs
Sign up to get an email notification every time a new online article is uploaded. Keep up to date with the issues.
In December 2020 we began publishing online-only features on drug policy, harm reduction and more in Aotearoa NZ.
LATEST ARTICLES
16 June 2023
Could regulating MDMA make it safer?
Given MDMA’s popularity, potential therapeutic uses, and low harm profile, is it time we re-examine how we regulate it here? Drug Foundation Senior Co...
29 May 2023
A Psychedelic Renaissance? 'Blue Honey' and what's next for psilocybin in Aotearoa
In Aotearoa, scientists, iwi, as well as hobbyists and amateurs are busy researching what psilocybin’s potential could be. So, what’s next for psilocy...
10 February 2023
What Australia's surprise MDMA and psilocybin move means
Russell Brown takes a look at how Australia's recent move to allow psilocybin and MDMA for prescription would work in practice, and whether a similar ...
11 November 2022
What can we learn from Canberra decriminalising drug possession?
Commentator Russell Brown takes a look at the ACT's road to decriminalising drug possession, and asks what New Zealand could learn.
30 September 2022
Street value: The Dutch MDMA pop-up shop sparking conversations about drugs
Drug Foundation Communications Advisor Feilidh Dwyer visits a thought-provoking MDMA pop-up shop in Utrecht.
04 September 2022
Updating the narrative: findings from a new methamphetamine report
Today, the Drug Foundation and the Helen Clark Foundation released a new paper: Minimising the Harms from Methamphetamine. The Drug Foundation's Execu...
08 April 2022
New drug-driving law ignores science, targets poor
Chris Fowlie takes a look at who will be most affected by New Zealand's new drug driving laws, and how.
25 March 2022
Who gets a conviction for drug possession, and who gets help?
Policy & advocacy manager Kali Mercier takes a look at new drug prosecution stats to see who is being impacted - and is it working?
24 March 2022
A first timer's take on the world of global drug policy
Jai Whelan, founding member and secretary of Students for Sensible Drug Policy Aotearoa, reflects on the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
View the Matters of Substance archive
Read back issues dating from February 2007 onwards.
Subscribe to email updates
Get regular news, analysis and commentary on drug issues in New Zealand. Free.
A straight up guide for people who use drugs
The Level is for real people, in real life, whatever level they are at.