Episode 2- Drugs

Lifting The Rug

Episode 2- Drugs Drugs! Fun! Until they're not. Following on from the topic of prisons we talk about the topic of drugs. Namely how to deal with them as a society and the idea to legalisation and treatment over law enforcement. Although New Zealand is not officially waging a "drug war" like the United States, New Zealand's approach to many drugs continues to be that of prohibition and sentencing under criminal laws rather than treatment. With the media attention surrounding New Zealand's growing "meth crisis" the public, more than ever, are asking for solutions. The question is whether policy should follow that of Portugal, decriminalising and regulating all drugs, focusing more on treatment. Or tougher drug laws. We are joined by Kali Mercier of the New Zealand Drug Foundation to discuss the charities ideas for future drug policy to making minimising drug harm in society both cheaper and more effective. Sources: New Zealand Drug Foundation https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/resources/ Salvation Army- State Of The Nation http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/research-media/social-policy-and-parliamentary-unit/latest-report/State-of-Nation-2018 Ministry Of Justice sentencing statistics https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/research-data/justice-statistics/conviction-sentencing-statistics/ Ministry Of Health drug use statistics https://www.health.govt.nz/nz-health-statistics/health-statistics-and-data-sets/drug-use-data-and-stats Recent or relevant news stories: Big read: What the proposed cannabis law change means for NZ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12070706 Stop blaming banned drugs for the devastation caused by prohibition https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/07-06-2018/stop-blaming-banned-drugs-for-the-devastation-caused-by-prohibition/ Synthetic drug 'horror stories' not enough to prevent first Christchurch death https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/104333994/synthetic-drugs-horror-stories-not-enough-to-prevent-first-possible-christchurch-death New kind of deadly synthetic drug surfaces in Auckland https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12060187 P was for panic! What next, now the 'meth house myth' has been debunked? https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12065377 New Zealand: Where alcohol is normalised - and that means more drinking https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/104684246/New-Zealand-Where-alcohol-is-normalised-and-that-means-more-drinking Playlist: Hits From The Bong- Cypress Hill Music claims fair dealing for review and education purposes.