[ Skip to main content ]

The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show New Zealand is still arresting, charging and convicting thousands of people every year for drug-related offences. Many of these are low-level offences.

Criminalising drug use does not work. The Drug Foundation thinks New Zealand can do much better. We need to start treating drug use as a health issue, not a criminal one. This will not only save money in the justice and prison system - it will allow those who are struggling with their drug use to get the help they need.

Related See more

budgetimg

Budget '22 chance to move away from failed approaches to drugs

The NZ Drug Foundation says Budget 2022 is a chance for the Government to fund effective health-based approaches to drugs, instead of contin...

robert calvert zwkVmdDtcUA unsplash

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.

eight col BP838

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?

Michael Baker Web

Michael Baker says NZ’s drug policies have hampered Covid response

The response has been undermined by “war on drugs” policies that have fuelled marginalisation and stigma .

The Level promo

A straight up guide for people who use drugs

We are here for real people, in real life, whatever level you are at.

The Level

social graphic subscribe

Subscribe to email updates

Get regular news, analysis and commentary on drug issues in New Zealand. Free.

Sign up now!

Back to top