User:Alan Liefting/Articles/Drugs in New Zealand

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Drugs in New Zealand

History
Maori, who arrived in New Zealand in the 13th century, discovered various medical uses for the local plants.

abortifacient, early colony, drinking in Kororeka, Prohibition, Misuse of Drugs Act, six oclock swill. cannabis, BZP, party pills.

Benzylpiperazine
Benzylpiperazine (BZP)

The study recorded all presentations associated with party pill use at the Emergency Department of Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand by recording them on a prospective data collection form. The aim was to study the patterns of human toxicity related to the use of benzylpiperazine-based party pills. Sixty one patients presented on 80 occasions. Patients with mild to moderate toxicity experienced symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, dystonia, and urinary retention. Significantly, fourteen toxic seizures were recorded with two patients suffering life-threatening toxicity with status epilepticus and severe respiratory and metabolic acidosis. It was concluded that BZP appears to induce toxic seizures in neurologically normal subjects. The results of this study and others like it showed that BZP can cause unpredictable and serious toxicity in some individuals, but the data and dosage collection were reliant on self reporting by drug users, which may result in under-reporting, and there were complicating factors like the frequent presence of alcohol and other drugs.

Cannabis
Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in New Zealand. In the population of more than four million, 13.4% of those between the ages of 16-64 use cannabis. This ranks as the ninth highest marijuana consumption level in the world. The use of cannabis in New Zealand is governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, which makes unauthorised possession of any amount of cannabis illegal. However, there are efforts at a grassroots and a political level seeking to remove the penalty on its use for those over 18 years of age.

Ecstasy
MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) - colloquially known as ecstasy, often abbreviated "E" or "X" .............

Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a Class "A" or Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The maximum penalty for production and distribution is imprisonment for life. While in theory a doctor could prescribe it for an appropriate indication, this would require case-by-case approval by the director-general of public health. High purity methamphetamine is most commonly referred to by the uniquely New Zealand street name of P, for "pure".

Party pills
Party pills and their legal status are often in the news. Matt Bowden of Stargate International, one of the original distributors of such pills and now an industry spokesperson, is regularly interviewed when issues involving party pills arise in the public arena. At one stage Prime television news presenter Alison Mau went so far as to test the effects of certain party pills. A clinical trial by ClubStargate for a pill named Ease was suspended because it contained methylone, which was claimed by the Ministry of Health to fall under New Zealand controlled drug analogue laws (although this was never proven in court).

New Zealand has classified BZP-based party pills as a "Restricted Substance" by the Misuse of Drugs Act and restricted to those over 18 years. For more on the legal issues posed by party pills, see benzylpiperazine.

In late June 2007, BZP was classed as a Class D in New Zealand drug and its availability was banned by a law passed on 13 March 2008, with a six month amnesty period. As a result, many critics believe this will result in handing back power to organized crime, as young people will revert to the illegal drug MDMA, otherwise known as ecstasy. However it was not long before BZP Free alternatives appeared, offering the same effects without the illegal ingredient. Critics claim the two most damaging drugs in terms of self harm, alcohol and tobacco, are still legal because it is engrained too deep in society to ban and because they are a revenue for governments who heavily tax each substance.

Other
The Ministry of Health has warned that nitrous oxide is a prescription medicine, and its sale or possession without a prescription is an offence under the Medicines Act. This statement would seemingly prohibit all non-medicinal uses of the chemical, though it is implied that only recreational use will be legally targeted.

Heroin

Data from 2001 showed that cocaine use was 0.5 percent for the 15-64 age group and a similar low percentage use drugs such as kava, GHB and rush.

Spice ????? is illegal in New Zealand, it is classified as a Class C controlled drug. Kronic is widely available in dairies and is not illegal.

Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical Management Agency, commonly referred to as Pharmac

Ministry of Health (New Zealand)

Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade ...........

Marty Johnstone "Mr Asia"

Terrance John Clark