Posts by Ross Bell
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Michael, depends on what the legal opium is used for. Some support the licensing of Afghan opium production for medical use (i.e. morphine), others say use it for heroin prescribing. A nice editorial here:
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So we can expect an increase in productivity (at least in the short-term) from Australian miners.
Will Campbell Live followup their recent story* on the party pill coma if new evidence comes out about what was consumed by the 23 years old (and son of a TV3 staffer). If so, will that lead to a call to ban MDMA?
[* John - very unimpressed with that story - was surprised to see you run something like that]
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EACD advice on classification of benzylpiperazine (BZP) and related substances - call for submissions
As you will know, I have recently received advice from the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs (EACD) recommending that BZP be classified as a Class C1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The EACD also recommended that the classification as a Class C1 drug cover all known analogues and derivatives of BZP and phenylpiperazine.
This advice is on the basis of New Zealand-based research that has shown that BZP presents a moderate risk of harm. I have enclosed a copy of the EACD advice.
Should this reclassification occur, all quantities of BZP, phenylpiperazine and related piperazines will be illegal and subject to penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.
I am writing to manufacturers, retailers, researchers and key stakeholders to elicit your views on this advice, as I recognise that any decision to reclassify BZP may have significant implications for you. I will take into account the submissions I receive before I make my final decision and recommendation regarding the classification of these substances.
Your submission should be sent to:
The National Drug Policy Team
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
Wellington.The closing date for submissions is Friday 23 February 2007.
Submissions can also be sent electronically to ndp@moh.govt.nz.
Yours sincerely
Hon Jim Anderton
Associate Minister of Health -
The place no one goes yet in the legalisation debate, but one day will, is the idea of actually developing a safer alternative to the present crop of illegal drugs
True Russell, and that's a big step. It was also a point touched on by Jim's expert committee in their recommendation to reschedule bzp (and pretty much any other piperazines and their analogues):
A key policy issue that needs an explicit decision is whether New Zealand wishes to have a legal market for psychoactive drugs.
The Drug Foundation, while we accept party pills do have the harms and potential harms identified by the EACD, doesn't reckon the ban is the answer. Better regulations (and ones that are actually enforced) provides a possible way forward for NZ drug policy (and world leading too).
The EACD also noted to Jim that work on further developing the regulations is a good idea (even though they don't reckon bzp should be scheduled under them):
The Committee wishes to emphasise the importance of [further developing the regulatory framework and enforcement], as new synthetic psychoactive substances are emerging at an increasing rate and the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2005 allow tight restrictions to be placed on these drugs. While it is the EACD’s view that the research has now demonstrated that BZP does pose a moderate risk of harm, newer substances may be shown to pose a low risk of harm but still be worthy of restrictions. The Committee’s view is that the implementation of restrictions should place the burden of proof on the person supplying the substance to demonstrate the safety of a new psychoactive substance.
Renee, while Jim's family history is widely known, I don't consider Jim's on a crusade. In fact, I happen to think Jim's been the most effective and interested drug minister we've seen (ever?), and has provided a tonne of support to "harm minimisation" initiatives (e.g. free needle exchange). So while the perception (often supported by Jim’s public statements) is that Jim is Super War on Drugs Man, the reality is vastly different. That said, I don’t think we’ll ever see Jim de-penalise minor cannabis possession, or strip the Police search and seize without warrant.
Back on the pills – the industry should shoulder all blame for the ban – it’s only through their dumbarse actions that the spotlight’s on them. (Is anyone running the odds on a ban? For what it’s worth, I reckon a ban 95% likely)
Cheers, Ross Bell, NZ Drug Foundation
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Does this person know something we don't?
Press release from CANDOR (anti drug drive group): PARTY PILLS HELPING TO REDUCE ROAD TOLL - SURVEY http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1501/a08.html?288711
So how would that fit with the new drug impairment test and possible rescheduling of party pills?