Program

The order of the day is as follows and the rough timings are:

  • 1.30pm Welcome (karakia) Intro, housekeeping 15-20 mins

  • 1.50pm Law Commission Review - Professor Warren Young

  • 2.15pm Prohibition Impact: Messages from Qualitative Research - Assoc. Professor Fiona Hutton

  • 2.40pm Lived and Living Experience of Prohibited Drugs and Prison. Interview with Adam Dorsett.

  • 3pm REFRESHMENT BREAK - with rolling cycle of online HRCA posters - 15 min break

  • 3.20pm The Harms Created by the 1975 Misuse of Drugs Act - Dr Kirsten Gibson, HRCA Chair

  • 3.40pm The Way Forward: A New Drug Law - Dr Julian Buchanan

  • 4pm HRCA Q&A Session

  • 4.20pm Launch of a Parliamentary Petition

  • 4.30pm Informal open discussions over light refreshments.

Venue:
Room RHLT2, Rutherford House

Corner Bunny St & Lambton Quay

The 1975 Misuse of Drugs Act (MoDA) has failed to deliver. Data from the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime indicated the demand for drugs is greater than ever, while the supply of drugs knows no bounds. A failure acknowledged globally and one we witness first hand here in Aotearoa NZ. Back in 2011 a comprehensive review of the MoDA conducted by New Zealand Law Commission had already concluded the MoDA “should be repealed and replaced by a new Act …administered by the Ministry of Health”. HRCA wants to see that recommendation enacted.

We are delighted to have assembled a group of respected independent thinkers with vast experience of drug policy in Aotearoa and beyond, to reflect on the impact of the MoDA and to identify the principles and values needed to underpin new drug laws.

Warren Young Prof. of Law & Former Deputy President New Zealand Law Commission
Kirsten Gibson Chair of Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa and Qualitative Researcher
Fiona Hutton Associate Prof. Institute of Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington
Adam Dorsett 40 yrs Living/Lived Experience of Prohibited Drug Use, 25yrs in Prison
Julian Buchanan Former UNODC Advisor and Criminology Professor.

New Zealand has a history for world leading innovative policy reform: Woman’s Right to Vote; Decriminalisation of Sex Work; National Needle Exchange, Same Sex Marriage and most recently Drug Checking. This half day symposium will provide clear evidence why major law reform is necessary and detail the foundations upon which Aotearoa NZ can once again lead the way with new drug laws based on evidence, research and experience.

We look forward to seeing there!