Q. How do I make a submission?
Make a submission online through the 'Submission field' on the TalkDrugs page
Send in a written submission to: Drugs Review Project Coordinator
Drugs Review Submissions
Law Commission
PO Box 2590
Wellington 6140
Email: drugsreview@lawcom.govt.nz
Q. Are my answers to the forum questions considered a submission?
No, the forum area is designed to facilitate discussion on some of the issues covered in the Issues Paper. This may suit users who wish to participate in the debate but remain anonymous.
Q. Why is the Law Commission entrusted with this review?
In 2007 the Associate Minster of Health invited the Law Commission to review the Act. This invitation arose partly in response to the debate over the reclassification of BZP as a Class C controlled drug. The Government decided that, in the light of this debate and other fundamental difficulties with the Act, a broad review of the Act was required.
The Law Commission is an independent Crown Entity responsible for reviewing New Zealand's laws and providing law reform advice to Government.
Q. What is involved in the research for this Review?
The review team has talked to many groups and individuals with an interest in drugs law reform about what is good and bad about New Zealand’s current approach to drug control. The review team has also considered research about how best to reduce drug harms. This includes looking closely at what other countries have been doing, including available evidence about how well approaches used in those countries have worked.
Q. What does the Issues Paper cover?
The Law Commission’s issues paper on the Misuse of Drugs Act traces the history of drug policy and regulation in New Zealand, and reviews the current approach to drug regulation. It makes some preliminary proposals for how New Zealand’s drug laws can be updated to put in place a modern and evidence-based statute with the ability to respond to the inevitable changes that New Zealand’s drug landscape will continue to face.
See the Summary document to view the terms of reference for the project.
Q. What happens next?
After 30 April 2010, the Law Commission will consider the views outlined in the submissions and any further research that has come to hand before developing final recommendations for the Government about how New Zealand’s drugs laws could be improved. These recommendations will be discussed in the final report which will be presented to Government to consider later this year. The Government will then decide what to do with the Commission’s recommendations.
