New Zealand's Law Commission - Controlling and regulating drugs

The most significant review of New Zealand's drug law has begun. An independent law advisory body, the Law Commission, has released its issues paper - Controlling and Regulating Drugs - for public consultation until 30 April 2010. Their paper traces the history of drug policy and regulation in New Zealand, and reviews the current approach to drug control and regulation. It makes some preliminary proposals for how New Zealand’s drug laws can be updated to put in place a modern and evidence-based statute. The Commission said of current drug law: “no longer provides a coherent and effective legislative framework for responding to the misuse of psychoactive drugs… The Act is now outdated and does not reflect current knowledge and understanding about drug use and related health, social and economic harms.”

For the full report and to make a submission, visit: www.talklaw.co.nz

For additional information on the review of the Misuse of Drugs Act (1975), visit: http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/ProjectIssuesPaper.aspx?ProjectID=143