A new
report commissioned by the Helen Clark Foundation and
the NZ Drug Foundation, co-authored by Philippa Yasbek, Kali
Mercier, Dr Hinemoa Elder MNZM, Dr Rose Crossin, and Prof
Michael Baker MNZM, makes evidence-based recommendations on
how to tackle methamphetamine harm in Aotearoa New
Zealand.
Recommendations from
Minimising the Harms from
Methamphetamine
include:
- Rolling out successful
treatment partnership programme Te Ara Oranga
nationally, - Provide culturally appropriate support
and programmes for Māori and other groups, - Ensure
services are available in the areas with the highest demand,
such as in small towns in the Bay of Plenty, Northland, and
Hawke’s Bay, - Address underlying issues or unmet
health needs for groups of people who use methamphetamine,
e.g. improve pathways into diagnosis and well-managed
treatment for those who suffer from ADHD, given that it is a
risk factor for methamphetamine use, especially when
undiagnosed and untreated, - Funding a pilot programme
based on international evidence to provide a stimulant under
supervision in limited circumstances, such as to those who
have remained addicted despite two rounds of traditional
treatment.
Former Prime Minister and Chair of
the Global Commission on Drug Policy Helen Clark says “the
war on drugs has failed.”
“We must do what works
instead of just trying the same tired old approaches. We
must focus relentlessly on harm minimisation rather than
just locking people into a cycle of addiction and
incarceration.
“Expanding Te Ara Oranga nationally
is a no brainer. It has been found to reduce offending by
34% and is estimated to return up to $7 on each dollar
invested,” Helen Clark says.
Report lead author
Philippa Yasbek says the report recommends a pilot to test
whether a stimulant substitution treatment model tailored to
New Zealand’s unique context could be effective in helping
New Zealanders who use methamphetamine.
“A proposed
model, based on data from New Zealand, Switzerland, and
Canada, suggests it may be helpful for people, who have been
through treatment and reduced their use but are not
completely able to abstain, by removing them from the cycle
of crime and allowing them to stabilise their
lives.
“It is better to pilot a tightly controlled
supply to those who are using the drug, under limited
circumstances and keep them safe and engaged with harm
reduction services. The alternative is to leave supply to
the illegal market which will just profit from sales and try
to keep people addicted,” Philippa Yasbek
says.
Report co-author and Helen Clark Foundation
Board Member Dr Hinemoa Elder says the current approach is
failing communities and whānau.
“We must change how
we help whānau struggling with methamphetamine use if we
want to really make a difference. The recommendations in
this report offer the potential circuit-breakers we need to
help our whānau who desperately need access to what works.
And we know that what works is developmentally and
culturally meaningful.” Dr Hinemoa Elder says.
Helen
Clark Foundation Executive Director Kathy Errington says
reducing methamphetamine harm is crucial for improving
equity and whānau wellbeing.
“This can’t go on.
We all deserve so much better.
“We need tailored
support instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. No-one can
argue that our current approach based on criminal law is
working – we need to discuss what the alternatives are. We
have worked with our partners at the New Zealand Drug
Foundation – drawing on international research and working
with top New Zealand experts – to bring the public a
snapshot of what a better system could look like,” Kathy
Errington
says.
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