2017 Parliamentary Drug Law Symposium

The time has come to look for solutions based on evidence of what is working. We need to:

• Recognise that prohibition has not worked. Convicting people for drug use doesn’t stop them taking drugs, but it does contribute to lifelong disadvantage
• Invest in an approach to drugs that better protects people (especially young people) from harm. Re-prioritise spending so more goes to prevention, education and treatment
• Ensure that everyone who needs help can access it
• Back the things that work: not enforcement, but health and social interventions, and
• Reduce crime and take control away from the black market.

Being informed about what is working with drug law and policy is a vital part of devising solutions that will work in New Zealand. In order to have a rich debate and to share insights with diverse communities throughout New Zealand, we are encouraging people from the following fields to participate:

• People working in health and social services
• Iwi, hāpu and whānau, and Māori organisation representatives
• DHB and local government leaders
• Community-based policy advocates and champions
• NGOs and advocates working for reform of the criminal justice
• Public health workers, and others in medical profession
• Youth development workers
• Policy advisors and researchers
• School principals, board members and other educators.