Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: How harm happens

Hilary Stace

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 22:28:11 +1300

Interesting perspectives on drug policies from his previous life in the police including undercover from our new MP for Ohariu in his maiden speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4A5kaz38Zo

Russell Brown

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 08:51:31 +1300

At least five people in intensive care in Porirua. Synthetics.

This isn't going to stop.

Russell Brown

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 08:50:10 +1300

No, that’s Russell… He’s a meany.

I'm persuadable!

And I do take your point about drug policy being at the Cabinet table.

Ross Bell

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 12:06:16 +1300

Oh, look what Helen just went and done:
http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/hc_jrh/

Katharine Moody

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:06:00 +1300

From your article, this is extremely disheartening;

We won’t be able to find out more from the two surveys: funding for them (largely from the Police budget) was cancelled recently. Wilkins admits he finds that frustrating… “We were too successful. You end up reporting something that people don’t want to…

Worik Stanton

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 07:57:00 +1300

On drug stigma: Drug policy still, still, expressed in terms of harm.

Prejudice. Bigotry. People use drugs because drugs are good.

There is harm associated with drugs. There is harm associated with concrete, plums and motorcycles.

FTC

Mikaere Curtis

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 19:35:22 +1300

Good post and great article, Russell.

I thought you had reservations about the incumbent based on past form?

I hope Julie-Anne is able to have some influence here. She is capable, intelligent and can mount a good argument.

Ross Bell

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 19:29:24 +1300

No, that's Russell... He's a meany.

Yes, we were critical of Labour's indifference to drug law reform in the lead up to the campaign... but they finally got there in the end (their Justice manifesto is clear on their intention to replace the Misuse of Drugs Act for example).

And…

Sacha

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:52:55 +1300

The drug policy portfolio will be held by the Health Minister, not delegated. That's great.

I thought you had reservations about the incumbent based on past form?

Neil

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:01:56 +1300

They had actual test results by that point. Giving the flyspray story air was silly and unnecessary.

Seems s bit harsh. The Police were warning the public of the dangers of synthetics, that people buying it did not know what was in it. And said here was no evidence that…

Ross Bell

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:50:39 +1300

For the first time in history (fact check?) The drug policy portfolio will be held by the Health Minister, not delegated. That's great. Now "let's do this."*

* fully implement Law Commission recommendations

Ian Dalziel

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:26:49 +1300

Under the headline Weed killer and fly spray in home-made synthetic cannabis the actual Police statement was:
Your link has an errant letter at the end, taking it to an 'unfound page window' – try this one:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11894951
It does point the finger at lazy media reporting (and bad headlines) being…

Russell Brown

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:16:07 +1300

They appear to be reporting what word on the street was rather than making the claim.

They had actual test results by that point. Giving the flyspray story air was silly and unnecessary.

Neil

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:00:38 +1300

And ESR was right again this year, when its Forensic Chemistry Manager Kevan Walsh dispelled a lot of damaging Police blather about adulterants and mystery ingredients and pointed out that its testing of Police samples had consistently revealed a particular chemical: AMB-FUBINACA.

I think the Police were somewhat misreported. Under…

Public Address

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 12:00:38 +1300

Discussion from blog post.