Traditionally, law enforcement and legislation have played a major role in providing guidelines for treatment for drug and alcohol dependence. Crime, violence, injury, accidents, physical health problems and relationship breakdowns are often the result of drug and alcohol dependency or misuse. There is no question, then, that addiction and the associated issues and costs are widespread in New Zealand, and their far-reaching consequences impact on many aspects of society. Unfortunately, the historic treatment model has been punitive: "let’s get tough on drugs" is the kind of language, and the context within which addiction and the treatment thereof has largely been considered in New Zealand.

However, in the last decade or so the area of drug dependence prevention and treatment as part of demand reduction and public health has been of far greater emphasis both internationally and nationally. A shift in societal attitude to the harms of drug and alcohol has seen a more humane and health-based approach to dependency issues. Consequently, the focus has moved from the ‘war on drugs’ attitude to a harm minimisation approach.

NSAD are at the forefront of lobbying to ensure that this shift in approach forms the basis of further policy and initiatives. This international shift from drug and alcohol dependence being dealt with from a health and social services basis rather than a punitive and criminal justice one has been very slow in coming in New Zealand. It really only began in 1966 with the Alcoholism and Drug Treatment Act and it is of real concern that the Misuse of Drugs Act ensures that the justice, rather than the health system, is still the focus today when it comes to dealing with the issues of addiction intervention and treatment.

NSAD feel that while the knowledge of these issues has changed, the response of the policy makers and legislators hasn’t, or certainly not to a degree where the issues are being dealt with any success. We need to make fundamental changes, we need to be more pragmatic and yet we also need to be more humane. Addiction is a health and social issue: the corresponding treatment needs to reflect that. Treatment itself needs to have a stronger emphasis when the policymakers get around the table.

NSAD are at the forefront of lobbying to ensure that this shift in approach forms the basis of further policy and initiatives.

to download the essay 'Healthy drug law reform: Fixing New Zealand’s drug law' to gain some insight into issues surrounding the development of new drug policy.