Matters of substance

A lot can happen in 40 years. The changes we’ve witnessed in Kiwi society are profound. As the spot the difference images below show, this extends to the place of drugs in daily life. Yet the Misuse of Drugs Act (1975) is essentially the same as the day it was passed. Some of the costs of the legislation not keeping up are shared in this special anniversary feature.

• PART 1: A conviction is for life
• PART 2: Show me the money!
• PART 3: Stigma really hurts
• PART 4: The cost of convicting young people
• PART 5: Unequal treatment before the law

This special anniversary report was prepared by Andrew Zielinski, Cameron Price, Nathan Frost and Stephen Blyth.

Lots has changed in the last 40 years. Our drug law hasn't.