Harmful alcohol use costs New Zealand billions of dollars, though it’s hard to put an exact figure on it.
Alcohol use was estimated to cost New Zealand $4.9 billion per year in 2006, with other estimates ranging between $734 million and $16.1 billion (according to a 2009 Business & Economic Research report into the costs of alcohol and other harmful drug use).
The 2010 Law Commission Review described New Zealand as having “unbridled commercialisation of alcohol”. This commercial model is causing a lot of harm to individuals and communities. But addressing social and environmental factors can help reduce these harms.
The Drug Foundation has been advocating for tighter alcohol regulations for many years. Here's two of the submissions we've presented to parliament.
Submission on the SSAA Renewal of Licences Amendment Bill No 2 and SOP no 15 ( PDF 230kb )
12 May 2022
The NZ Drug Foundation says Budget 2022 is a chance for the Government to fund effective health-based approaches to drugs, instead of contin...
27 April 2022
The NZ Drug Foundation says the Govt urgently needs to increase funding for a successful methamphetamine programme and expand it throughout ...
02 September 2021
Free naloxone kits, fee training, oranges to practice on – and a barbecue lunch. That's how they do overdose prevention in British Columbia.
31 August 2021
The Drug Foundation has set up a Givealittle to help fund the distribution of naloxone, to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.
Back to top