Julian Buchanan DipSW, MA, PhD
Julian Buchanan DipSW, MA, PhD
New Zealand Drug Policy 2010-2020: Lessons from missed opportunities for drug reform
New Zealand Drug Policy 2010-2020: Lessons from missed opportunities for drug reform
New Zealand Drug Policy 2010-2020: Lessons from missed opportunities for drug reform
Wednesday 15th December 2021
Julian Buchanan examines New Zealand's missed drug reform opportunities from 2010-2020 and the impact of prohibition on society and drug users.
11 minutes
Thought-provoking
Informative
Compelling
Raw
Non-judgmental
About this podcast
Author:
Julian Buchanan DipSW, MA, PhD
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Policy & Advocacy
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
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Get the buttons here!New Zealand's Missed Chances: Drug Reform Lessons from 2010-2020
Let us be clear about the additional harms created by prohibition. It means the person has no idea of the strength of the drug, no guarantee about the purity or in deep content of the drug purchased. It could be contaminated or even mixed with toxic ingredients that could cause serious harm, even death, have to buy the drug underground.
Imagine a world where drug laws prioritize health over punishment. Julian Buchanan dives into New Zealand's journey towards drug reform, a path that seemed promising but ultimately missed its mark. In this episode, he revisits the comprehensive report by the New Zealand Law Commission from 2011, which suggested sweeping changes, including scrapping the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Yet, despite these forward-thinking recommendations, the country remains entangled in outdated policies. Why did this happen?
Buchanan explores the mix of fear, ignorance, and vested interests that stifled progress. Instead of embracing harm reduction, New Zealand saw the rise of USA-style drug abstinence courts and widespread drug testing, leading to job losses, benefit suspensions, and evictions. The episode also touches on the 2020 cannabis legalization referendum, a historic vote that ultimately fell short. Buchanan argues that the campaign's failure to tackle the core issue of prohibition left drug users in a precarious position.
With unregulated markets, individuals face unknown drug purity and potential contamination, buying from underground sources with risks of violence and severe legal consequences. This episode is essential listening for anyone curious about drug policy reform and the ongoing battle against prohibition in New Zealand.