HRCA seek evidence-based drug policies that promote harm reduction and protect human rights. No one should be criminalised or punished for personally using or possessing a drug. Our drug laws should instead ensure people have legal access to a properly regulated supply of all drugs.

HRCA campaigns for an end to the harm and devastation caused by drug prohibition. We seek to replace New Zealand’s existing drug laws with new legislation that: respects bodily autonomy; honours Te Tiriti; ensures the commercial drug supply is properly regulated; and ends the role of law enforcement over personal use - that has disproportionately targeted the poor, Māori, young people, and people with chronic unmet needs.

We are Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa

Alex Hon Kuen Ho saw there was no coordinated network or activist group in Aotearoa advocating to rescind drug prohibition, so he pulled together a wide group of individuals with a shared commitment to end the harm caused by prohibition. Alex engaged academics, peers, and experts in criminology, harm reduction, addiction, social justice and political activism. This network founded by Alex would eventually evolve to become Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa, launching on International Harm Reduction Day, 07 May 2024.

Committed to Drug Reform:

Safe Supply

With legalisation and regulation, we will not only seriously weaken the underground market; we will also ensure product quality and safety, enable consumer rights, and allow people to feel safe to access support services.

Legalisation

The Misuse of Drugs Act has failed to reduce drug-related harm. Criminalisation, punishment and imprisonment has fuelled tension, violence and crime. It has ruined lives and torn families apart.

Evidence Based

We need modern, politically resilient, Te Tiriti respecting, human rights protecting legislation. We can build new drug laws which are scientific, fit for purpose, compassionate and which reduce harms.

The Six HRCA Objectives:

Establish cross party and non-partisan support to end drug prohibition by rescinding the failed Psychoactive Substance Act 2013 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 as recommended in the New Zealand Law Commission Review in 2011.
Ensure all adult possession, cultivation and production of ALL drugs is legal for personal use.
Dismantle all policies that reinforce drug Prohibition.
Secure the annulment of all criminal records and convictions related to adult personal possession, cultivation and production of drugs.
Ensure drug policies are rooted in science and evidence, and uphold the principles of harm reduction and human rights.
Promote a new Psychoactive Drugs Act managed by Health, that regulates all aspects of the supply of psychoactive substances. this includes those psychoactive substances that are currently legal and those psychoactive substances that are currently prohibited.

Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa Committee

Maudlin Black - Chair

In stepping into the role of Chairperson, Maudlin brings their background in community activism, their lived experience, and a deep understanding of the harms caused by prohibition. After growing up in New York, they have been happy to call Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington home for nearly a decade. In that time they have developed connections with many of the most at-risk communities via their work in peer support and advocacy- including experience working with people who are disabled, unhoused, transgender, or who inject drugs. They are passionate about harm reduction that centres Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is peer-led, and that includes marginalised voices in the conversation.

Bill Logan - Immediate past chair

Bill is a founder member of the AIDS Foundation (now Burnett Foundation), he was spokesperson for the Gay Taskforce, Homosexual Law Reform campaign of 1985-86. He has been involved in harm reduction work in Wellington and nationally for 40years, he was chair of the lower North Island’s Drug Health & Development Project Trust for 15 years until his retirement last year. He helped expand the services of needle exchanges to include Naloxone distribution, drug checking, and peer Hep-C testing.

Dr Oscar Graham - Secretary

Oscar works as an early-career researcher in the field of biomedical science at the University of Otago. Oscar is a lifelong advocate for drug harm reduction and drug policy reform, and has recently become involved in direct action through Aotearoa based harm-reduction initiatives.

Oscar grew up in the small Southland town of Te Anau and now is based in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. Oscar aims to persuade others and dispel misinformation about drug use and drug users to advocate for evidence-based drug policy reforms. Oscar has a lifelong interest in psychoactive substances, and understands that drug use has a ubiquitous role across human societies.

Izzy Hathaway - Committee

Izzy is communications officer for the NZ Needle Exchange program (more info coming soon)

Dr. Julian Buchanan - Committee

Julian has been working with drug issues for four decades, initially with people struggling with addiction in the community and in prisons, before moving to academia as a Criminology Professor with a focus on drug policy. Julian has published over fifty articles on the subject, worked as an expert advisor and editor for the UNODC and addressed conferences across the world on the subject.

Dr Kirsten Gibson - committee

Kirsten has long been an advocate for drug policy reform and harm reduction, as well as an activist for prison abolition. Her masters research examined women's access to Needle Exchange services in Aotearoa. Kirsten also recently graduated with a PhD critically exploring women's post-prison experiences. Kirsten currently works in community engagement and is motivated by being part of a coalition that can drive change to combat myths about drug use and reform drug policy

Rachel Browne - Treasurer

Rachel is Finance Manager at Drugs, Health and Development Project Trust, the provider of Needle Exchanges for the lower North Island. She has been involved with New Zealand's drug harm reduction scene for 24 years. Her iwi affiliations are Ngai Tūhoe and Ngāpuhi. Rachel is passionate about social justice and has a keen eye for detail. She came onto The Committee of Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa as Treasurer in March 2024.

Spencer Dietrich - Committee

Born and raised in Canada, Spencer has been involved in harm reduction and advocating for change for over a decade, including a significant period of lived experience. She’s seen and experienced first-hand the harms caused by prohibitive drug policy and witnessed the numerous positive changes that can follow drug legalisation (e.g. the legalisation of cannabis in Canada).

Spencer is now living in New Zealand, working in the harm reduction sector. She helps provide several programs for the many communities of people who use drugs. Spencer is proud to be a Committee Member of Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa and knows this Coalition will have an important role in advocating for drug policy reform in Aotearoa.