New Zealand
New Zealand is the country that might have
recently set the standards for drug and alcohol policies, of which other
countries are interested in seeing the results before they follow in its
footsteps. New Zealand has taken an alternative route to combatting its drug
problem since the normal prohibition, and harsh criminalization of drug use did
not seem to have an effect on reducing the problems associated with it. They
have made a number of drugs legal, but highly regulated under the Psychoactive
Substance Bill which restricts those under 18 from buying. By doing this the
second National Drug Policy of New Zealand focusses on alcohol, tobacco, illegal
and other drugs by providing specific goals and plans that would prevent and lower
the health, social and economic harms caused by these drugs (Ministerial Committee
on Drug Policy, 2013). The drug use problem in New Zealand has been very high,
and has had significant impact on individuals, their families and communities
as a whole. Millions of lives have been affected and hundreds of thousands of
dollars have been placed into programs to help those affected by drugs. There is
a clear relationship between certain groups and low employment rates, poor
living conditions and low social control (Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy,
2013). The issue of drugs is so widespread that the policy incorporates the
ideas and views of those who have been in any way affected by drugs, educators,
policy specialist, researchers, and many more. By doing this and using the most
up-to-date data collected from its citizens they are able to most strategically
and successfully know what the public wants and the best solution and implementations
to solve the problem.
Since New Zealand’s National Drug policy
focusses on four main subjects, here are some statistics that represent the
drug culture and its effects on society. The people of New Zealand have one of
the highest drug use rate in the world. The first major legal drug is tobacco
which causes the highest mortality rate, and is the single most leading cause
of preventable death in the country. There are about 5,000 related deaths every
year (Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy, 2013). The next legal drug is
alcohol which is the “most commonly used recreational drug” that creates “concerns
when the misuse of the substance causes health, social and economic harm” (Ministerial
Committee on Drug Policy, 2013). The Ministry of Health also looked at numerous
illegal drug and found that cannabis was the most widely used illegal drug with
stimulants, opioids and hallucinogens also showing clear usage over the years.
The fourth type is legal high, these are drugs are legal but are used for the
wrong purposes. According to the Ministry of Health there has been an increase in
the availability of legal substances like the “party pills” which are more
common among the young.
New Zealand’s drugs are scheduled
differently than that of the United States. There are three classes, Class A:
those that are very high risk such as methamphetamine, magic mushrooms, LSD,
Heroin and cocaine, Class B: those that are high risk such as cannabis oil,
morphine, opium, and ecstasy, and Class C: those that are moderate risk like
cannabis seed, and codeine (New Zealand Police). While these drug classes are
not too far off from those of the United States, the United States have broken
down their drugs into more categories. Yes, the use, possession and
distribution is still illegal in the US and New Zealand if it is not obtained
correctly, but it is easier to get these drugs if needed legally because it is
heavily regulated. The United States have banned schedule one substances and
the only way to get them is through illegal means. Because the United States have
placed such harsh views on those who use drugs, and have criminalized its uses
those who are affected may not feel free to face their problem. Most
individuals want to feel high, and by banning every drug that becomes known
only leaves room for more potent, dangerous drugs to surface. If the United
States were to adopt such methods that New Zealand is now implementing, I think
that there could be many positive outcomes regarding drug use in this country. The
first is that drugs are safer to consume if there are legal (Tharoor, 2013). The
government and the individuals will know what exactly is in the drug and know
its purity. Another major aspect is that the sale of legal drugs will not aid
criminal businesses (Tharoor, 2013). The money will be going towards the
government and they will be able to successfully track the amounts of
substances being used in a safer manner. By having many drugs illegal the U.S.
is not fully aware of the amount of substances that are being distributed and
from where. There is no way to track, anything besides the number of deaths
related to illegal drugs. New Zealand has also placed many programs to help
those who have already been affected by drugs, and also have placed
preventative measures to try to combat its problem. There have been many acts
in place like the Smoke –Free Environment Act, Effective Drug Education
Project, and Community Action on Youth and Drugs implemented to help aid the
process of prevention and reduction in the use and demand of drugs (Ministerial
Committee on Drug Policy, 2013). These programs recognized that there are many
individuals and groups that are needed to take part in this cause for such
programs to work. By implementing such strategies I do think that we can see
huge changes in the drug use culture in the United States because by keeping
everyone in mind such programs and laws can be effectively put in place.
References
Ministerial Committee on Drug Policy. (March,
2007). National Drug Policy 2007-2012. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Retrieved from http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/national-drug-policy-2007-2012.pdf
New Zealand Police. (2013). Illicit
Drugs-offences and penalties. Advice: New Zealand Police. Retrieved from http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/drugs-and-alcohol/illicit-drugs-offences-and-penalties
Tharoor, A. (2013). 5 Things we can learn
from New Zealand’s Innovative Law to Regulate New Drugs. Huffington Post.
Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/avinash-tharoor/new-zealand-drug-laws_b_4019402.html
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