Drugs
Govt cracks down on synthetic drugs
The government is re-categorising the two most common synthetic drugs as Class A, which would make their supply an offence punishable by life imprisonment. It's also boosting funding for treatment. Audio
Synthetic drug reform
The changes announced today focus on a health approach for the users of synthetic drugs, instructing police to consider treatment instead of prosecution. Audio
Too many medication errors: patient watchdog
The Health and Disability Commissioner is calling for a faster roll out electronic health records nationally to cut down the number of medication errors. Anthony Hill has just released a report… Audio
Weighing up approaches to decriminalising drugs
While Portugal's approach to decriminalising drugs may have worked, New Zealand faces a very different set of circumstances, an academic says. Video, Audio
Steve Murphy and Javier Pena - The Narcos who helped capture Pablo Escobar
Javier Pena and Steve Murphy are agents for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In the 1990s, the pair volunteered for an assignment in Bogota, Colombia, and set out to bring down the… Audio
Record 190kg of cocaine found in banana shipment
Almost 200kg of cocaine was found tucked in duffle bags on top of bunches of bananas on a ship from Panama - heading for Auckland. As Lisa Owen reports, police are warning New Zealand is a lucrative… Video, Audio
Drugs and the Dark Net
How is New Zealand's drug trade being affected by the influence of the dark web? A team at Massey University led by Associate Professor Chris Wilkins will investigate the role that the anonymous deep… Audio
Legalising cannabis could net govt $240m in tax a year
New research shows decriminalising cannabis and introducing a regulated market would be a boost for New Zealand's economy. The Government is working through plans to hold a referendum on legalising… Video, Audio
Regulating cannabis could generate $240m in tax - report
Decriminalising cannabis and introducing a regulated market would bring significant economic benefits, according to a new report commissioned by the Drug Foundation.
Abortion drugs being illegally imported into NZ
People have been illegally importing medical abortion kits, despite terminations being legal in New Zealand. As Susan Strongman reports, one doctor is warning women are putting themselves at risk by… Audio
PM backs Immigration Minister of Czech man’s residency case
While Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern backs Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway, she says the fact information contradicts that which was used to base his decision to grant residency to Czech drug… Video, Audio
Housing Minister’s numbers in contrast to HNZ figures
Housing Minister Phil Twyford has said 200 Housing New Zealand tenants evicted over flawed meth tests will be compensated by Christmas, but those figures clash with figures HNZ has supplied to… Audio
Drug testing at music festivals
Summer is just around the corner, and that means summer music festivals - and, whether you like it or not, summer music festivals mean some people are going to be taking drugs. Audio
Scientists want to extend wastewater testing to synthetic drugs
Scientists testing the country's wastewater for drugs want to extend their search to evidence of synthetic drugs but say they first need to understand how they break down. Audio
Wastewater drug testing goes national
A new drug testing regime of our waste water will reveal what drugs are being used in our towns and cities, and in real time. Wastewater testing is set to be rolled out across New Zealand, with the… Audio
Time for an armistice in the war on drugs?
There's no time for another war on drugs, the Greens say, in response to the Government's vow to crack down on synthetics. We need to getting on with quote "broad-scale drug law reforms and resourcing… Audio
Dodgy synthetic drugs blamed for Christchurch death
St John Ambulance today revealed that a recent death is being linked to the same synthetic drugs which have put 19 other people in hospital. Video, Audio
Synthetic drug 'bad batch' users continue to pour into hospital
Canterbury DHB said it has had around 20 people arrive at its emergency department - some critically ill - after taking the drug. Video, Audio
The murky world of drugs and sport in New Zealand
Over the past decade or so some athletes have been banned from their sports for up to a decade simply for using cannabis Audio
Otago proctor nabs bongs
The Proctor of the University of Otago Dave Scott took it upon himself to uplift water bongs from a student flat after he let himself in to deliver some pamphlets when apparently no-one was at home… Audio