Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: One big day at the drug symposium

Dee

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 23:55:25 +1200

Gee that's never happened in a Listener editorial before. Haha.

Craig Ranapia

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 13:39:44 +1200

There is, in some respects, a de facto decriminalisation going on, and has been for about a decade – largely because of a much broader use of avenues like pre-charge warnings, so people are arrested, but not eventually charged. Sometimes.

And this is where my views on drug policy have…

Ross Bell

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 12:06:33 +1200

Lloyd Burr on Newshub website makes the same error as herald/listener in his review of political parties. Aren't there rules about journalists getting basic facts/history correct?

Kumara Republic

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 00:03:08 +1200

Thing is, if you're Māori, it might be a really big issue.

That was the key topic on Day 2.

Sadly it's just the same with people of colour targeted by America's War on Drugs.

Rob Stowell

Fri, 14 Jul 2017 00:02:29 +1200

... or at least has a go at those who might dare to opine he has enabled drug taking. the other bs in those editorials he seems not so bothered with.

Rob Stowell

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 23:20:04 +1200

"here are the relevant facts, uncomfortable and all as they may be for the purveyors of this ignorance and stupidity." Nice. Mr Dunne gets his mojo back?

Ross Bell

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 14:36:43 +1200

Dunne has a response to NZ Herald and Listener:
http://honpfd.blogspot.co.nz/2017/07/?m=1

Russell Brown

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:42:42 +1200

No, it’s not ’the biggest issue facing NZ.” But it is possible to show leadership on small things, too. And sometimes that matters way more than it’s calculated to.

Thing is, if you're Māori, it might be a really big issue.

That was the key topic on Day 2.

Rob Stowell

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 01:14:10 +1200

The most shocking thing is how the editorial wafflers and political heavies (yes, Mr Little, that's you, too, along with Simon English) are so out of step with not just NZ popular opinion but also worldwide trends. They all seem terrified a tiny waft of smoke will drift their way…

Jason Kemp

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:28:21 +1200

Thanks to you Russell for taking the time to wade through to find the useful content here. Hopefully more of this will get decoded before the election.

I heard the RNZ interview on Sunday that seemed very hopeful that change is now possible. Professors Ann Fordham and Fiona Measham "They…

Joe Wylie

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 09:51:24 +1200

Sean Plunket

...There goes their credibility in my universe....
As long as your cat's microchipped those huas can't touch you.

Ian Dalziel

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:52:48 +1200

But the fun’s not over. Shortly after the recording, Sean Plunket, the new comms chief for The Opportunities Party
Whoooosh!
There goes their credibility in my universe....

Shane Le Brun

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:12:31 +1200

In my opinion Cannabis is first cab off the ranks, its been around for thousands of years (like alcohol) yet has a better safety profile. Personally anything that has a better safety profile than alcohol should be legal. Being late to the party means we can control it much better,…

WH

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 21:21:28 +1200

Also, as you mentioned, I owe Labour's David Clark an apology:

But (the sightlines were poor) it was the other David, David Seymour of Act, who said that. Clark just kept blathering that Labour supported the recommendations of the Law Commission review of the MoDA, without ever saying which recommendations.…

WH

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 20:26:02 +1200

I understand that the Joel case study relates to personal use.

While I take your point about social supply, addictive drugs don't get to social suppliers through lack of planning on the part of higher ups. People can be so very deliberately cruel where there's money to be made.

Would…

Russell Brown

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 19:02:18 +1200

I acknowledge there’s scope for reform but that’s pretty optimistic stuff. The people who freely deal crystal meth knowingly sell human suffering.

In the passage you quote, Joel is not dealing crystal meth. He’s a meth user who needs a word about getting off it, so let’s do that rather…

WH

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:41:12 +1200

Maybe there's some context missing, but it's disappointing to see a Labour MP quoted saying:

"Decriminalisation is the worst of all worlds, probably worse than what we have now," said Labour's David Clark.

Whatever your views happen to be, the Misuse of Drugs Act covers many substances that are known…

Zach Bagnall

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:00:27 +1200

Amazing.

For instance *facts from study of outcomes following legalization in CO* but that flies in the face of *waves hands in the air*. Checkmate!

Ross Bell

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:09:12 +1200

Jane Clifton wrote some terribly ill-informed and incoherent Listener editorials on the PSA… I suspect she’s the author of that one.

Russell Brown

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:00:12 +1200

Thanks for fact checking the Herald and Listener editorials. I simply didn’t have the energy. The Listener one was just offensive when it claimed the foundation downplays or ignores drug harm.

That was outrageous. It's a terrible, incoherent editorial.

Ross Bell

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:57:19 +1200

Thanks for fact checking the Herald and Listener editorials. I simply didn’t have the energy. The Listener one was just offensive when it claimed the foundation downplays or ignores drug harm.

Russell Brown

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 16:47:36 +1200

Holy shit. Clearly, it’s one thing to attract media attention to drug policy issues – quite another to have the media actually approach them in an informed and accurate way.

First, the Herald: NZ should wait and see on cannabis legalisation

Opening paragraph:

When journalists asked Bill English last week if…

Chris Waugh

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 13:01:06 +1200

I saw you on Backbenches, Russell, and you seemed caught in the headlights. I think the Backbenches format makes vox pops difficult, especially given how eager the hosts are to share their opinions. What really didn't help with your vox pop was the microphone constantly being pulled away. Combine that…

Shane Le Brun

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 12:13:36 +1200

I did in private, but that's another story.....

Hilary Stace

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:53:51 +1200

Did anyone mention Helen Kelly?

Russell Brown

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:34:54 +1200

Hazel again, this time with Daniel, who's here from Myanmar on a union scholarship. He seems a very bright young man.

Russell Brown

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:33:38 +1200

Shane Le Brun and Hep C generics advocate Hazel Heal.

Public Address

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 11:33:37 +1200

Discussion from blog post.