DRUGS ISSUE - Critic Te Arohi
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1 DRUGS ISSUE
2 3
For more gigs happening around Dunedin, check out r1.co.nz/gig-guide
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LETTERS
ISSUE 04 / 21 MARCH 2022
EDITORIAL:
Girl have a nap EDITOR
Fox Meyer
EMAIL CRITIC@CRITIC.CO.NZ LETTER OF THE WEEK WINS A $30 VOUCHER FROM UNIVERSITY BOOKSHOP NEWS EDITOR
Denzel Chung
LETTER OF THE WEEK FEATURES EDITOR
RE: Letter of the Week Dear Editor, Elliot Weir
I understand that we should be considerate of how hard of a time this is for With our remarkable fame it was fair to assume we wouldn’t need a mention
staff, as well as students, but I think J.J. has forgotten who has the privilege within the moral alignment chart, after all, our people invented it! We totally get
TOO MANY CULTURE EDITOR
Annabelle Vaughan
here, the power dynamic. Is the power in the hands of students or staff? It’s it. There are still people who think that Dungeons and Dragons is a thing of the GLOCKIEEEES!!!
obviously staff. They have more access to money, access to leave, access to ‘80s though, so we probably should have an introduction: SUB EDITOR
fuck us over if they’re having a shit time (not that this happens often, but the Maddie Fenn
point is that it CAN). Students don’t have any of that. I understand that it’s a Otago Roleplaying & Boardgames Society (ORBS)
NEWS REPORTER
tough time for staff too. Don't think there's anything wrong in saying that. But 60 members / Free to join Zak Rudin
staff have the power, and the student experience right now is the thing that's We play tabletop roleplay games, live action roleplay games, and boardgames.
being PAID for. Don’t forget who the little people are, don’t minimise the Our games are currently run online so we can continue meeting during red as STAFF WRITERS
student experience in these shit circumstances. Talk about gatekeeping. well. We’re a really diverse society and welcome all alignments, so we suppose Sean Gourley, Keegan Wells, Ruby Werry,
Lotto Ramsay
Sincerely,
that makes us True Neutral! Find us on the OUSA clubs site, Facebook, or
Discord.
By Mary Jane
CONTRIBUTORS
Phoebe W. Rosie Joyce (@skuxxfood), Luisa Sherriff
Sincerely, I wake up. The radio station in my head is already It’s been 45 minutes. I notice that I haven’t
The geeks of Otago University
blaring. Too many glockies. Too many fucking compulsively hit my vape in a while. Sitting still is DESIGN:
Dear Critic, glockieeees! This song has been in my head for the possible right now. I’m not hyper, like the drug's DESIGNER
If I'm supposed to "treat university like a 9-5 job", then when do I get paid? last 36 hours. reputation would suggest, instead I almost feel Molly Willis
sedated. I think one of the pieces I’m meant to be
Gerry ILLUSTRATION
Oh shit, I’m hungover. I’m anxious. The podcasters working on said that people with ADHD will feel a low Rutene Rickard
who run my internal monologue are arguing again. on the drugs, and people without ADHD feel the high. Daniel Van Lith
You’ve got a drinking problem, podcaster #1 tells me. Speaking of which, I should probably get back to Justina King
No babe – you’re just having fun, and you’re work soon. Actually, fuck it, I’ll do it right now. I'm not
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
RAD TIMES
overthinking this as usual, podcaster #2 reminds me. avoiding or feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand, Aiman Amerul Muner
Go get yourself a Ribena and you’ll be sweet. in fact, I’m quite enjoying being productive. Winning!
Something about blood sugar, right? But fuck, I’m thirsty. CENTREFOLD
Molly Willis & Rutene Rickard
I get to work. I’m anxious. I’ve been pretty It's been 6 hours. I’ve hardly eaten all day. The
GIG GUIDE unproductive so far this week, and I’m going to need Concerta has definitely suppressed my appetite, and
FRONT COVER
Molly Willis
to force myself to focus today. Too many glockies! I know I should eat, but I don’t want to. This is an
Hey, I wonder who that song’s by? Now I’m on uncomfortable feeling – one that I’ve worked hard to PUZZLE MASTER
Aleisha Chalmers
YouTube. The podcasters in my mind are agreeing overcome since a struggle with heavy weed
that this new wave of mumble rap can only run smoking. I get home. My heart is racing. My body is in
because Young Thug walked. Hey man, Young Thug fight or flight mode, but my mind doesn’t care. The PRODUCTION:
Dunedin Fringe Festival is back from 17-27 March! Check out the events really is the David Bowie of our generation, posits podcasters in my brain that would usually talk me ONLINE
Stella Inkpen
listed below or go to dunedinfringe.nz for all event details, the full event podcaster #1. I mean, the JEFFERY album art? through this have gone off-air. I don’t know how to
programme and tickets. Sensational. Maybe I should print that out so I can navigate this divide, so I try to sleep. Can’t sleep. Oh DISTRIBUTION
put it on my wall when I get home. What was I shit, I’m gonna spew. Vincent Withers
working on again?
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Overall, the Concerta gave me this hugely
ADVERTISING SALES:
21 MARCH 22 MARCH 23 MARCH 24 MARCH 25 MARCH This is gonna be a long day. uncomfortable feeling that I had to choose between
Tim Couch
either being productive, or feeling like myself. I’m Jared Anglesey
Chris Priestley & The Unsung Maggie Cocco's Science for Daniel McClymont's Tryhard Maggie Cocco's Science for SLUR - EP Release Then, for the first time in my life, I took a Concerta. lucky enough to have been raised as though my Peter Ramsay
Heroes Sociopathss Concerto Sociopaths THE CROWN HOTEL
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that is long and expensive, but I believe I know myself and learn, rather than as an affliction that I needed to Phone: 03 479 5361
MEMORIAL HALL KOHA (RECOMMENDED $15) 7PM KOHA (RECOMMENDED $15)
7:30PM / $20 / ALL AGES dunedinfringe.nz/events dunedinfringe.nz/events dunedinfringe.nz/events Maggie Cocco's Science for well enough to recognise the symptoms. Personally, overcome to succeed. If I had to do headstands on READ ONLINE:
Tickets from dunedinfringe.nz Sociopaths I’ve always had a weird internal relationship with the couch to learn my flashcards, then we were doing critic.co.nz
Rennie Pearson: Traditional Maggie Cocco's Science for Dunedin Fringe Late Night Line DUNEDIN FRINGE ONLINE VENUE being medicated – I’ve never been sure it’s the right headstands on the couch. Even now, if I need to nap Issuu.com/critic_te_arohi
Maggie Cocco's Science for Celtic Music Sociopaths Up feat. Renegade Cabaret, KOHA (RECOMMENDED $15) thing for me, so I’ve never experienced ADHD every day after lunch to recharge and reset, then I’m
Sociopaths PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, 31 DUNEDIN FRINGE ONLINE VENUE Tama Anthony-Whigham, Harriot dunedinfringe.nz/events GET IN TOUCH:
DUNEDIN FRINGE ONLINE VENUE ALBANY ST KOHA (RECOMMENDED $15) Moir, and music from Flying Man. medication outside of a recreational sense, and not napping after lunch. But not everyone has been
this specific brand. But fuck it – I’m already hungover afforded or taught the kindness and understanding critic@critic.co.nz
KOHA (RECOMMENDED $15) 7:30PM / $20 / ALL AGES dunedinfringe.nz/events Hosted by Dan Brader
Dunedin Fringe Late Night Line Facebook/CriticTeArohi
dunedinfringe.nz/events dunedinfringe.nz/events EMERSON'S FESTIVAL THEATRE,
Up feat. JoJo Bellini, Ryan on a Wednesday. Wash it down with a sip of coffee. necessary to navigate living with these feelings, and I Tweet/CriticTeArohi
20 PRINCES ST can see this as being a large part of the reason that
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10PM / $15 CONCESSION / $20
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PUBLIC
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6:30PM, 8PM / $10 CONCESSION ALBANY ST
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EMERSON'S FESTIVAL THEATRE,
in the office. And there’s no music playing in my have to – medicate.
PENINSULA BEACH ROAD head. Wait – there’s no music playing in my head!
12PM, 2PM, 4PM, 6PM / $15 / ALL / $15 PUBLIC / ALL AGES 7:30PM / $20 / ALL AGES 20 PRINCES ST
AGES dunedinfringe.nz/events dunedinfringe.nz/events Shakespeare in a Onesie 10PM / $15 CONCESSION / $20 This is kinda nice. I realise that I’m actually present, in I feel grateful that my mind allows me to look beyond
dunedinfringe.nz/events THE SWAN PUBLIC the room, experiencing what’s happening around me the dysfunction and confusion it often experiences
6:30PM, 8PM / $10 CONCESSION dunedinfringe.nz/events
Spectacle Presents: Disturbance Shakespeare in a Onesie as a physical being, and not just as a pair of with ADHD symptoms, and is something I can accept
/ $15 PUBLIC / ALL AGES
Shakespeare in a Onesie
feat.Chris Miller, Damo Smith, THE SWAN
dunedinfringe.nz/events podcasters narrating and internalising my every and deal with in my day to day life. I consider my Critic is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press
Holly Aitchison, Jess Covell, 6:30PM, 8PM / $10 CONCESSION My Grandfather is a Canoe feat.
THE SWAN
Sam Caldwell, Taarn Scott, and / $15 PUBLIC / ALL AGES Oliver Tafuna'i and Hiliako laheto
thought and experience. The sense of impending neurodivergent ability an asset, and I excel happily Association (ASPA)
6:30PM, 8PM / $10 CONCESSION doom I woke up with has subsided. within and despite it. But ADHD presents differently
music from Night Lunch dunedinfringe.nz/events Spectacle Presents: Disturbance MACANDREW BAY COMMUNITY
/ $15 PUBLIC / ALL AGES Disclaimer: the views presented within this
dunedinfringe.nz/events
DUNEDIN FRINGE ONLINE VENUE feat.Chris Miller, Damo Smith, HALL, 1 GREENACRES ST in everyone, and however you decide to validate your publication do not necessarily represent the
ALL AGES / KOHA Holly Aitchison, Jess Covell, 6:30PM / $10 It’s been 30 minutes. I’m sweaty. I look out the own experiences with it – diagnosed or not – the path views of the Editor or OUSA.
Spectacle Presents: Disturbance
dunedinfringe.nz/events Sam Caldwell, Taarn Scott, and
Spectacle Presents: Disturbance
feat.Chris Miller, Damo Smith, window. Everything seems a little more vibrant. Too to diagnosis and medication should be one walked NZ Media Council: People with a complaint
Holly Aitchison, Jess Covell, music from Night Lunch
feat.Chris Miller, Damo Smith, DUNEDIN FRINGE ONLINE VENUE vibrant? It’s kinda making me dizzy, maybe I’m thirsty. without shame. against a magazine should first complain in
Sam Caldwell, Taarn Scott, and writing to the Editor and then, if not satisfied
Holly Aitchison, Jess Covell, music from Night Lunch ALL AGES / KOHA Everything seems so real. Too real? I’m pretty with the response, complain to the NZ Media
Sam Caldwell, Taarn Scott, and DUNEDIN FRINGE ONLINE VENUE dunedinfringe.nz/events comfortable with the comfort and chaos of my own My internal podcast is pretty entertaining, and Council.
music from Night Lunch
DUNEDIN FRINGE ONLINE VENUE
ALL AGES / KOHA mind, and at this point I can’t decide if feeling this Glockies is a banger, after all. Complaints should be addressed to the
dunedinfringe.nz/events
ALL AGES / KOHA locked into reality is better or worse. Fuck, I’m really Secretary, info@mediacouncil.org.nz
dunedinfringe.nz/events thirsty.
6 7
NEWS KARERE 04 NEWS KARERE 04
Bandana Burglar Behind Bars
Big Brother bamboozled by Bandana Burglar but bags him anyway
By Zak Rudin
News Reporter // zak@critic.co.nz
Nicholas Scott Kerr, aged 33, has been Amongst Kerr’s victims was Mike*, who live in one area it becomes a breeding
unmasked as the notorious bandana lost $4,800 worth of possessions. “He took ground for creeps.” Castle and Leith are
burglar. Kerr was at large between 2018 everything I had when I was going through currently the only main streets with CCTV
and 2020, during which time he broke into a really tough time. He took my money, my cameras. “There needs to be some put
student flats, stole 51 items worth over possessions, and my feeling of safety in on Queen, Dundas, Cosy Dell, Warrender
$22,000, and cut holes in the curtains of the home.” [and] London [streets] ... as they are all
seven female students. hotspots.”
In another incident, Sophie* found Kerr
Kerr used the alias “Samantha Peek” (not peeping through a hole in her flatmate’s However, due to economic constraints
exactly subtle) to earn a tidy sum by selling curtains as she had gotten out of the caused by Covid, Phase 3 of the CCTV
people’s shit on Facebook Marketplace. So shower. Sophie said that the incident Project to boost the number of cameras on
if you bought a sweet new home appliance “basically scared the shit out of all of [us]”, campus has hit a roadblock.
from Samantha in the past few years, resulting in her flatmate not sleeping in her
congrats: you’re the proud owner of stolen bed “for weeks”. Since Big Brother can’t look out for us,
property. Critic Te Arohi advises that you Critic Te Arohi suggests that we should
try to find the original owner. On another occasion, Kerr broke into look out for each other. Lock your doors
Paige*’s flat. He allegedly smashed her and windows before heading out and
Kerr was sentenced to three years and two head into the wall, resulting in a severe report any suspicious activity to Campus
months imprisonment from December concussion and ongoing neck pain. “I live Watch or the police.
Some Stuff not Known About KnowYourStuffNZ 2021 along with an $8,000 fine. The in pain every single day ... he preyed on
judge refused Kerr’s request for name youths in vulnerable situations, with sexual *Names have been changed to protect
Student misconceptions revolve around purity vs presence suppression which was “vehemently motivations behind many of his break-ins,” victims’ identities
By Ruby Werry & Fox Meyer
Staff Writer / Critic Editor opposed” by five victims of Kerr’s crime said Paige.
spree. The ODT originally reported on the
impact that these crimes had upon Kerr’s Sophie described how “student flats
KnowYourStuffNZ does not test for purity. top shelf fancy vodka in a posh bar and When they tell you that they detected victims, which we have repeated below. have low security, and because we all
They test for presence of a substance, and the vodka you’ve got brewing under the MDMA, they’re not saying that your drugs
that’s what they report. The misconception sink. The machine would taste both vodka are pure. Brin said that “We are never
that KYSNZ tests for purity is apparently samples, and say ‘yep, it’s got vodka in it’. excluding the presence of anything else,
rife amongst both students and our own But there’s obviously a marked difference but we can say that we didn't detect
Critic staff members. between the vodkas. the presence of anything else. But that
doesn't mean that there aren't any traces
Used Sharps Bins not Spotted on Campus
It may seem like a small difference “I did not know that”, said Maggie, a of something else in there, just that our What hurts more than a needle injection? An unintended needle injection
(presence vs. purity), but to student who has used KYSNZ before. machine didn’t see it with the limited By Zak Rudin
News Reporter // zak@critic.co.nz
KnowYourStuffNZ, this difference comes “Yeah, more students should be aware window that it had access to.”
with legal implications. Brin, who works of that, but I assume that information is
for KYSNZ, told us that “Under the second available”, she said. “People just don't “Being able to tell you if there are different Students For Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) a wayward needle, but found none. Further publicly-available bins, Andrea went on to
version of the Drug and Substance necessarily research before they rock up. compounds is really important, like the mix have raised the question: where are all the recon conducted by Critic staff found no say that “we would welcome kōrero with
Checking Legislation Bill … all the I also assume the staff probably tell you of MDMA and ketamine that we discovered sharps bins at? People who rely on insulin designated sharps bins in the Link and any advocates, including Students for
information we provide has to be relatively when you get your test done, maybe it’s during O-Week”, said Brin. “If someone is injections have allegedly been forced to library, so we reached out to the University Sensible Drug Policy Dunedin.”
perfect in terms of harm reduction. If we just a slight miscommunication. When expecting to only feel the effects of MDMA, carry “dirty sharps home after use” or for clarification.
were to give the impression that we could you’re familiar with the process it’s easy and they don’t know that there’s ketamine “dispose of them in an inadequate fashion Sean, co-president of the Otago Disabled
tell you something about a sample that we to forget that [the difference between in there as well, that could actually put in bathroom/campus bins”. Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director Student’s Association, said that some
can't actually tell you, that could get us in presence and purity] is a technical thing them in danger. Ketamine mixes really Andrea McMillan responded by saying club members reported that “it was a
trouble”. for a lot of people. Making it really clear, poorly with a lot of other substances, SSDP says that improperly disposing of that “we have many sharps containers in hassle brining in Tupperware to store their
in Layman’s terms, is really important particularly alcohol”. used sharps places cleaning staff at “risk our laboratories and have responded to needles to dispose of at home.” Sean
This means that KYSNZ can only tell you for anything like that. Medical, safety in of injury and transmission of blood-borne demand on ourwider campuses (outside further said that these students “raised
if the sample you have has a substance general, it needs to be easy to understand”. Brin said that the misconception presents infections or diseases.” In lieu of these laboratory areas) previously, including concerns about the stigma of needles” and
in it. Depending on the sample, their FTIR KYSNZ with a bit of an obstacle. “We are bins, used insulin needles could be thrown supplying sharps containers for staff said “if [a sharps bin] were to exist, they
spectrometer can tell you how much of a This misconception does not impact, in any a reliable, trustworthy health service, but away in general rubbish. We fondled a few members’ medical conditions.” And believed its place should be at the Disibility
substance is in the sample along with any way, your ability to get your drugs tested. people are misunderstanding what we’re bags of trash to see if we’d get pricked by while our quick survey didn’t spot any Information and Support Service.”
other fillers, binders, colours, or whatever It just means that when a KYSNZ staff saying and it isn’t helping. And while this
else is in the sample holding it together. member says “we detected MDMA”, they misconception is really just a difference
However, given the level of contaminants are not telling you “that’s some really good between two similar words, the implication
and the standard of the ingredients used shit you got there man, that’s some pure on our end is far greater. The risk of that
in the labs used to make drugs for the MDMA if I’ve ever seen it”. They can’t test misunderstanding is not only on our end,
illicit market, there’s no way the FTIR for that. That’s not how it works. What they but on the client’s end as well. We never
spectrometers can tell the ‘purity’ level. are saying is that they’ve found MDMA in want someone to go away being less
your sample. informed because communication doesn’t
It’s a bit like the difference between telling work. We don’t want people gaining false
the difference - by taste alone - between impressions about what is in their hand.”
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NEWS KARERE 04 NEWS KARERE 04
How Much Do Students Know About Saint Patrick, Primary Patron
Saint of Ireland?
Survey says: very little
By Keegan Wells
Staff Writer // keegan@critic.co.nz
St Patrick is such a well-known name in We finally hit the pot of gold at the end of telling us “He loved to get on the piss,
North D that thousands wake up as early the rainbow when we found a student who clearly, because that’s how we celebrate
as 5am every year to celebrate him. But do confidently told us that “I actually know him.”
students actually know that much about this, I went to a Catholic primary school.” St
who he was, where he came from, and Patrick, they said, “looked after animals”. We went one further, telling another
what he did? Critic Te Arohi hit the green- Unfortunately, this student may need some group that St Patrick was responsible for
filled streets to find out. time in the confession box this Sunday: the planting all of the potatoes in Ireland. “Was
only animal story to do with St Patrick is a that because of the famine?” one asked.
First off, did he exist? “He’s a legendary legend claiming he chased all the snakes Her friend quickly jumped to St Potato’s
person, he might be real, he might not out of Ireland, which is not looking after defence: “Yes, I’m Irish so I would know.”
be. Mostly mythical,” said one student. them in the slightest. There were most Another student put two and two together,
History disagrees. While there are legends likely not even snakes to begin with - any concluding “So he created vodka! Absolute
floating around about his work, he that would’ve made it across on settlement fucking legend.”
definitely existed. He didn’t begin existence ships from England would’ve died out early.
in Ireland, though. Despite one student One student shared our scepticism: “How They also believed that St Patrick was the
insisting that “He definitely gotta be from can you chase all the snakes out of Ireland? owner of the basketball team, the Boston
Ireland,” he definitely ain’t. He’s actually a Maybe he got like three.” Celtics, and that he was a saint who prayed
Pom, born in Roman Britain. to Allah. As the green icing on the Guinness
As well as all these lies, we also got quite a cake, we told students St Patrick was still
Next up, we asked students what St Patrick lot of refreshing honesty. Some students alive today. “That man is a legend then,”
looked like. The answers ranged from had “No idea, nope,” adding, “We don’t one responded.
“five foot five” to “really short, goatee, know, we’re just dressing in green.” One
green hat” and “green face” to even “a admitted: “It’s a good excuse to drink. I Regardless of whether people know who
ranga leprechaun”. Moving rapidly along don’t really know who he is, I don’t believe St Patrick is, what he did during the fifth
from these potential hate crimes, we then in the religion and I’ve never been to century, and if he ever touched a potato,
quizzed them on what St Patrick actually Ireland.” Admirable. he lives on today. In his name, students
did. One student claimed, “He was Irish, will still drink at ungodly hours and leave
and he is in the Bible being really kind to After all these consistently wrong facts more green paint around North Dunedin
Irish people.” Unfortunately, he is nowhere about St Patrick, Critic Te Arohi decided than a Halloween pickle party gone wrong.
in the Bible, as Ireland is not in the Middle to tell bald faced lies about St Patrick, to From the team at Critic, we hope your St.
East and St Patrick was about 300 years see just how far we could go. We started Patrick’s day has been filled with light,
late to the biblical party. Another figured he modestly, telling a group of students that warmth, and mostly incorrect facts about
became a saint after “drinking 12 pints of St Patrick invented Guinness. “Ohhhh that the patron saint.
Guinness in one hour”. That might be true, makes sense,” they responded, with one
we don’t know.
10 11
NEWS KARERE 04 NEWS KARERE 04
OUSA and Albany St Pharmacy Deliver Drugs to Doorsteps Government Plans Cash for Containers Scheme
Drug dealers take note, this is what real customer service looks like Instead of smashing bottles, use them to buy more booze
By Sean Gourley By Denzel Chung
Staff Writer // sean@critic.co.nz News Editor // news@critic.co.nz
Thanks to OUSA and Albany Street The orders are processed, sealed and students, there isn't a restriction on what The Government has introduced plans for can be composted or used as animal feed, recyclable bottles on our streets and in our
Pharmacy, isolating students can now labelled by pharmacy staff before getting products can be delivered with this service, a “Container Return Scheme”. In simple they’ve floated setting up a “Container landfills.”
get over-the-counter meds and other delivered by OUSA’s network of staff and at this point. We got the service running as terms, this means taking your bottles, cans Return Scheme”. In effect, drinks producers
pharmacy goodies delivered for free. The volunteers (usually alongside the food fast as we could.” and cartons in for recycling could soon will pay a 20 cent fee on every can, bottle or She wasn’t completely convinced by the
service can be accessed via the OUSA parcels). If you’d like a delivery, though, earn you sweet, sweet cash. Tetra-Pak carton they fill with their drinks. scheme, though, and said that “It fails
Support Hub Website. try not to sleep in. According to Greg, “The The OUSA service only covers over-the- When these are returned for recycling to address the root causes of container
intention is that orders placed before counter products, but a separate delivery Last week, the Ministry for the (through, say, a vending machine), this fee waste and issues relating to the production
With Covid absolutely ripping through 2 to 3pm are delivered that afternoon, service (run by the pharmacy themselves) Environment dropped a consultation is then paid out to whoever dropped it off. of those containers.” Nothing returned
North D, many people who would’ve helped depending on the number of orders, stock, is also available for prescription document titled “Transforming Recycling”. through this scheme will actually be
their mates pick up stuff have ended up and OUSA's workload.” medications, according to Greg. “If a NZ is actually one of the worst recyclers Environment Minister David Parker said in reused - instead it will be broken down
being in iso themselves. According to Greg person is Covid positive,” he said, “there's in the world - only about one-third of the a statement that “With a container return to re-make new cans or bottles or, in the
from Albany Street Pharmacy, this initiative As for what you can order, the sky’s the a funded delivery service for prescriptions. stuff we chuck out ends up being recycled scheme in place, we can increase our case of plastics, lower-grade stuff like
was designed as a way to help with exactly limit, really. If it’s available over-the- This also extends to the prescription or composted, with the rest going straight recycling rate for beverage containers to rubbish bags. “Recycling should be the last
that. For all the students “who are stuck counter (i.e. without a prescription), they charges, with some conditions.” Similarly, if to landfill. In world-leading countries like between 85 and 90 percent. This will also resort,” she said, and instead urged people
isolating in their flats, and are not able to can be delivered. And yes, that includes you’d like to get those drugs to your door, Germany and South Korea, well over half result in increased supply of recovered to prioritise “rethinking, refusing, reducing,
get someone to collect on their behalf”, condoms. According to OUSA’s Sage it would pay to get your order in early: of the stuff they chuck out ends up being materials for our onshore recycling reusing or repairing”.
this service is for you. Burke: “While the intention is to be able to “Almost all scripts received before 3pm are recycled in some way. systems and container manufacturers.”
provide help with symptom relief for unwell delivered that day.” And if you’re deciding whether to stockpile
This plan is the Government’s way of Kate Bonne, from Students for those leftover cans and bottles from
beginning to fix that. Alongside proposals Environmental Activism Otago, told Critic St Paddy’s drinks to buy yourself more
to standardise recycling across NZ, Te Arohi that this was a scheme they had booze, don’t hold your breath. The Ministry
including food scraps bins for everyone “promoted in the past… [and] a long- only expects a scheme to be up and
Why Your “5 Plus a Day” is Looking Like “$50 Plus a Day” and making businesses separate their awaited and important step in the right running by 2025.
food waste from their normal waste so it direction. There are too many perfectly
Tomato? More like, “toma-D’oh!” Am I right?
By Rutene Rickard
Illustrator // rutene@critic.co.nz
A year ago, a kg of tomatoes from Centre Hugh said this contributes significantly wages, have safe enough conditions, or
City New World cost $2.99. Today, those to how expensive food is: “We have a decent enough housing for NZ fruit or
same juicy round bois have almost hugely concentrated and uncompetitive vegetable pickers. So, they are simply
doubled in price, costing $5.49. In a quest supermarket sector in NZ which gouges leaving a whole lot of fruit and veges to rot
to find out why hurling rotten tomatoes the suppliers who provide it with things unharvested. That is (also) helping drive up
isn’t the affordable pastime it used to like veges, and then charges massively for prices in the supermarket.”
be, Critic Te Arohi consulted Professor of consumers. It is a real structural problem in
Sociology Hugh Campbell, who teaches a our food retail system.” Finally, Hugh predicts energy prices will
paper on the “Global Politics of Food”. begin to play a bigger role in this royal
Alongside this, the pandemic has exposed clusterfuck of factors. The price of oil has
Keen shoppers would have noticed what Hugh terms “the guilty secret of NZ jumped by around 50% since Christmas,
grocery prices spiking recently, and no, fruit and vegetable production”. According largely blamed on increasing global
it’s not all in your head. Stats NZ found to Hugh, to keep costs down (partly due demand as lockdowns end and, more
grocery prices went up 5.4% as a whole to supermarket pricing pressure), most recently, widespread sanctions on Russia
in Feb compared to a year ago, with meat of the fruit and veges you eat had been (a major oil exporter). “It hasn’t become a
7% more expensive, and fruit and veg a picked by contract labourers, brought in for big part of the story yet, but over the next
whopping 17% costlier. Hugh attributed cheap on temporary work visas, primarily few months, the dramatically rising price
this to a number of factors, one of which is from the Pacific, the Philippines and India. of global oil is going to drive up a whole
the supermarket duopoly in New Zealand. “With the pandemic,” Hugh says, “they can’t lot of food prices in NZ. This is because
The two big players, Australian-owned get those cheap workers any more, and energy from oil is embedded in a whole lot
Woolworths (Countdown and FreshChoice) because they’ve grown used to having that of parts of our intensive agricultural and
and Kiwi Foodstuffs (New World, Pak cheap labour, the whole market has fallen horticultural systems.” So we have that to
‘N Save and Four Square), sweep up apart. [Growers] don’t pay high enough look forward to.
80-90% of NZ’s grocery spend every year.
12 13
NEWS KARERE 04 NEWS KARERE 04
Otago Distillery Makes World’s Best Vodka
Dunedin’s Gin Distillery Moves out of its Parent’s Basement Students still keen to just mix it with Red Bull and call it a day
How come gin is more likely to own a property than we are? By Fox Meyer
By Denzel Chung Critic Editor // critic@critic.co.nz
News Editor // news@critic.co.nz
Joerg, creator of Broken Heart Gin & Spirits In an 80-proof spirit like his vodka, 40% and contains methanol traces at a rate of
Barely two years after opening, Dunedin’s In January, he said, he decided to shift to a Farmer’s Market - buying up the good in Arrowtown, makes a vodka that has just of the drink is alcohol. “That means the 3 parts per million, which is remarkably
No8 Distillery has moved into a swish new place. “We started a bit too small,” he stuff which isn’t quite beautiful enough been rated the best in the world. In the other 60% is water, so the water is quite low (the legally-permissible limit in NZ is
new location on Hanover Street - right on admitted, saying it was “tricky” operating to sell, and would otherwise go to waste. World Drinks Awards, his vodka beat out an important part”, Joerg explained. The 700 parts per million ). And for any non-
the edge of Studentville. Founder Julien a distillery around a fully-functioning bar. Julien also operates a bottle return system, entries from 18 other countries for the title world’s best vodka gets its water from a chemists out there: methanol is the bad,
Delavoie’s selection of spirits, distilled His new place is about 20x bigger, with a offering cashback off for anyone who in the “pure neutral” category. spring in Mt. Aspiring National Park, and blindness-causing stuff, while ethanol is
locally with foraged botanicals, have been factory, a bar and a liquor shop where Julien brings their bottle back to refill with the from another source in Paradise, near the good stuff.
sweeping awards internationally. sells his own stuff as well as “rare and fine spirits tap (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds). Coincidentally, and completely officially, Glenorchy. But water is just as important
spirits”. He loves the interactivity of the Otago Uni drinkers are also rated amongst outside the vodka as it is inside it. “People Despite the dire warnings, another student
Julien, from Normandy in northwest France, job: “You’re not in a lab where nobody can Something that surprised Julien was that the best in the world. Critic reached out to say that you need a glass of water for we spoke to wasn’t convinced. “You can
told Critic Te Arohi he had been distilling talk to you… you know the brand, but you students have begun embracing his gins: Joerg to hear about how his spirits won every glass of wine [to avoid a hangover],” buy two bottles of lower-grade vodka for
since he was 15 years old. His was a also know the person at the back of that.” “Christmastime, a lot of students buy such a lofty title, and what the average said Joerg. “But for spirits you need three that price,” he said. He reckoned that “good
family with “four generations of backyard He runs tasting tours and workshops, and gifts for mum and dad, and I have a lot Dunedin student might think about his glasses of water.” Joerg’s tips for hangover vodka still tastes like shit and our budget
distillers… making cider, Calvados and rum hopes to let people join him on his foraging of PhD students in… people who want, top-shelf drop. cures, by the way: plenty of water, a strong doesn't allow for that. No vodka is good.
with my grandparents”. expeditions soon. and like, good spirits.” It surprised Critic coffee, and some lemon juice, “for the Maybe you’ll feel less like you want to die
too, although spending $70 on alcohol is A bottle of Joerg’s vodka comes in at about Vitamin C”. after drinking it but you still want to die,
He began making gin six years ago when Julien’s range includes a bit of everything: probably all in a day’s work for most of us. $80, which probably puts it well out of just less. Instead of knives, it's a gun.”
he moved to NZ, said Julien, pretty much gins, absinthe, limoncello, ouzo, pineapple reach of your standard breatha - although It’s worse for cheap spirits, he said: “Some
learning on the fly. He started his hustle rum and fruit liqueurs. He’s expecting, too, The No8 Distillery is now open in the red- at least one student we spoke to said that cheaper alcohols can contain synthetics, Joerg seemed to disagree. He said that
out the back of the Dog With Two Tails in with a new “baby” due in May: a mocha brick building, on the corner of Hanover he’d try it, "just to see what nice tasting which can come with some risks… higher “We all have to learn [to appreciate the
March 2020, “setting up everything with rum, made in collaboration with Dunedin Street and Filleul Street. Take it from us: vodka tastes like". But there’s a good amounts of methanol traces,” or even finer things]. That’s the interesting thing in
number 8 wire solutions”. The horopito- companies Vanguard Coffee and OCHO if you don’t love it, your parents almost reason why it carries this hefty price, said surprise allergens. These mean “you life. When you're young, you might not care
spiced gin he made promptly smashed out Chocolate. The native plants he uses for definitely will. Joerg: the quality of ingredients and the end up more likely with a hangover [and] about a lot of things. When you get older
a few international awards. his botanics are foraged locally, with raw purity of the spirit. It’s also about water. a headache,” said Joerg. Broken Heart you appreciate these things more.” Feel
ingredients sourced from places like the vodka, though, is entirely gluten-free, free to reflect on that wisdom over a sip of
the world’s finest vodka.
14 15
NEWS KARERE 04
New American Football Club in Dunedin
Next, they’ll be coming for our oil
By Keegan Wells
Staff Writer // keegan@critic.co.nz
Fans of American football, rejoice! A club popularity is anything to go by, they’re off tea-sipping ponce). American Football
has just been set up in Dunedin. They’re to a good start, with around 200 followers Otago will supply all the other equipment.
open to pretty much anyone who’s keen so far. Tom says they will welcome “anyone
to play a bit of hand-egg , or chuck the ol’ who is willing to play, all skill levels, ages,
pig-skin around, or whatever those Yanks Growing up in Christchurch, Tom and genders. We just want to see people
say. his mates played in their flag football throwing the ball around and meet people
competition. According to him, it began who are like minded.”
American Football Otago was established with the simple thought: “Man this is heaps
just a few weeks ago by a couple of of fun, we should try to get this started in The first Sunday scrimmage session
mates, with the help of the New Zealand Dunedin.” All it took was a quick message will include a brief overview of the basic
American Football Federation. They kicked to the governing body of (American) rules everyone needs to know to get
off with their first-ever scrimmage day football in New Zealand, and before they playing. Later in the year, they’re looking
last Sunday, 21 March, at the North Ground knew it, they got instructions on how to towards a “national competition coming
(aka the Alhambra Union rugby club). Tom, set up games as well as a whole bunch of up… hopefully we’re gonna build towards
the President of American Football Otago, football gear. that”. If you’re looking for an entirely new
said they’re “starting off with scrimmages personality trait, want to say things like
of flag football,” but hope to grow it into “a For any aspiring jocks out there, all “set HUT”, maybe knock a few brain cells
league sort of thing - [depending] on how you need to play is a pair of rugby or around, or have always been jealous of frat
many people are interested”. If Facebook soccer boots (well, “football,” if you’re a stars, now is your chance. Hike!
16 17
PUZZLES BROUGHT TO YOU
BY MAZAGRAN
KEEPING CRITIC
CAFFEINATED
SUDOKU sudokuoftheday.com
CROSSWORD
ACROSS: 17. Swindled (7)
1. Good place for a pint (7) 19. Really bad pun (3,4)
5. Mayhem (5) 21. UK rapper (7)
8. Mixed martial-arts 22. American dudebro (4)
competition (3)
24. Lacking in pigment (6)
10. Traditional Chinese
herbal extract (7) 25. “Dirty ___” sunglasses
(3)
11. Like Al Capone (7)
28. Titanic killer (7)
12. Weekly American
comedy show (3) 29. The B of BSDM (7)
13. ‘Woman’ (6) 30. Luxury fashion house
(3)
14. Red Hot Chili Peppers
31. Fresher fuel (5)
bassist (4)
16. Vodka brand with 32. Poppable Japanese WORDFIND
intentional typo? (7) pods (7)
ACID MDMA
DOWN:
1. Outfits that may attract
15. “_______ Gurls”, Katy
Perry banger (10)
CAFFEINE NICOTINE
egging (5) 16. Dependence (9) CRACK WEED
2. Punished (9) 18. Lorde album (9)
3. Actor who says KETAMINE ALCOHOL,
20. Funeral oration (6)
‘wooooooow’ (4,6)
21. What soccer players NANGS CODEINE
4. ID card photo perhaps
(7)
and babies do (7)
SPEED HEROIN
23. ____ Orange, Vietnam
5. HSFY paper (4) war weapon (5) ADDERALL METH
6. Necessary for life (4)
7. Controversial herb (9)
26. Scary honking birds (5)
COCAINE PCP
27. Low carb diet (4)
9. Will still get you a FENTANYL XANAX
degree (5)
WORD WHEEL WORD LADDER
Change one word into another by only changing one letter at a
time. The shortest solution should fit between the rungs of the
word ladder.
I A SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
HEAD There are 10 differences between these images.
M R Make as many words as you
A can using the central letter
and without repeating any
letters.
D E
P C
TAIL
WEEK 03 CROSSWORD ANSWERS MINI CROSSWORD ANSWERS
ACROSS: 1. Ogre 4. Misspelled 9. Fairy tern 11. Strummed 12. Rager 13. ACROSS: 1. Wes 4. Soak 5. Ponzi 6. Inky 7. PSA
Shag 14. DNA 16. Broadcaster 20. Den 22. Echo 25. Incan 26. Big hands 27. DOWN: 1. Wonka 2. Eazy 3. Ski 4. Sons 5. Pip
Hexagonal 28. Wanderlust 29. Tier
DOWN: 2. Grafton 3. Earful 4. Matamata 5. Sun 6. Escargot 7. Lifeguard 8. WORD LADDER SOLUTION: MORE-LORE-LOSE-LOSS-LESS
Die from 10. Rods 15. Abduction 17. Open fire 18. Stagnant 19. Rainbow 21.
Endgame 23. Oboe 24. Kahoot 17. HAL
WORDWHEEL SOLUTIONS: 6–15 good / 16–20 great
18 19
FEATURES ARONUI 04 FEATURES ARONUI 04
PART 1
Kit said that outside of
Student Health, obtaining a
diagnosis as an adult can
ADHD
THE LONG ROAD TO DIAGNOSIS
By Fox Meyer
cost you anywhere between
$400-$1,000, and that there Last week, we sent out two reporters to interview
students about getting diagnosed with ADHD. Apparently
“There needs to be significant impairment,” she said, and
both impairment and symptoms need to be present from
are only a handful of places they met a really, really interesting group of students with childhood into adulthood. There are boxes that need to be
great takes on the situation, but our reporters - both of ticked in order to receive a diagnosis.
in New Zealand that will whom have diagnosed ADHD - were so excited about the
actually run the tests interview that they forgot to record it. And ticking these boxes is where many students get
stuck. Obtaining a diagnosis through Student Health
in the first place. Such is life with ADHD, though. Ideas about ADHD aren’t
limited to snotty 7-year-old boys anymore, and discussions
involves what Dr. Healey described as a “conservative”
approach, one which a student described as “an
of the disorder have entered the mainstream. Obtaining absolutely hopeless nightmare”. This arduous process is
a diagnosis, however, remains tricky. Critic has already not without reason, though. Student Health is not staffed
covered the “lost generation” of women who struggled to by unlimited professionals, nor do they have infinite time
get their disorder recognized, which you can read about with which to investigate applications.
on our website, but we wanted to see what people thought
of the condition's recent entrance into mainstream Kit*, who we interviewed in the second part of this article,
culture. is one of many students who didn’t go through Student
Health for their diagnosis. Kit said that outside of Student
Either you know someone with ADHD or you know Health, obtaining a diagnosis as an adult can cost you
someone who thinks they have ADHD. It’s like it’s anywhere between $400-$1,000, and that there are only a
everywhere. For many it seems a bit too common, given handful of places in New Zealand that will actually run the
the fact that the current percentage of adults with ADHD tests in the first place. Dr. Healey told us that a few years
in the wild is estimated to be about 4.4%. That’s a wee bit back there was a way to get the diagnosis online, without
lower than you might expect based on a casual survey ever meeting the doctor, but that option has now shut
of your friends. Of course, undiagnosed cases are not down.
represented in that number, and getting diagnosed as an
adult, as we’ll soon see, is no easy task. So, what gives? The inaccessibility to testing has led many students to
Either the reported number is way too low, or a significant self-diagnose. Pam*, a second-year at Otago, said that
portion of the young people we see on social media she self-diagnosed “because it felt like the right thing to
claiming to have ADHD are misguided. do”. She said that the disorder “clearly runs” in her family,
but since nobody is officially diagnosed, she didn’t feel
An ADHD diagnosis is a tricky thing to come by. Dr. Dione like she had a shot at an official diagnosis. “So I just went
Healey, Associate Professor in Otago’s Psychology online, checked the criteria, and felt like every single point
Department and a registered Clinical Psychologist, was talking about me. So I made the call myself,” she said.
explained that a diagnosis for the disorder is not just “I don’t think it’s a problem.”
about having a case of the fidgets and a restless mind.20 21
FEATURES ARONUI 04 FEATURES ARONUI 04
PART 2
ADHD
"We’ve been
few “autistic special interest” moments, Charlie said that
her ADHD primarily gets in the way of day-to-day life. “I
raised alongside
would love to be the ‘colour coded day planner / bullet
journal / google calendar’ flavour of autistic but instead
I wake up at a different time every day and havent eaten
smartphones, meals at an even vaguely regular time since I was a kid.
Is breakfast at 9 or at 2pm? Is dinner at 6 or at midnight?
computers, and I don’t fucking know I, just go with it. I’m eating carrots for
dinner.”
a whole world of New Zealand’s path to an ADHD diagnosis is steeper than
in other parts of the world. Frederick was diagnosed with
technology that ADHD in the United States and said “it’s definitely easier
over there”. Frederick reported that he paid about $400
encourages us for a diagnosis. While he agreed that he did indeed have
the disorder, he thought it was strange that rates of the
THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF PRESCRIPTION STIMULANTS
to be constantly diagnosis “seem to have gone up”. He speculated that
this was not because people are lying, but maybe more
By Lotto Ramsay
distracted.”
because “we’ve been raised alongside smartphones,
computers, and a whole world of technology that
encourages us to be constantly distracted.” Though stimulants have a, well, stimulating effect therefore can only be prescribed by certain specialists
when taken recreationally, people with Attention Deficit and in limited amounts. Additionally, as mentioned before,
Fredrick reported that in the States, “pretty much Hyperactive Disorder often experience the opposite. a diagnosis of ADHD is already hard to get and borderline
Self-diagnosis is a controversial approach. Some They may find that caffeine makes them sleepy, or inaccessible for some, making receiving medication an
everyone you meet our age will claim to have it, almost as
students that we spoke to were angry at the trend, with that night-time versions of medications seem to make arduous task for people who are already struggling.
if it’s been accepted as a way to excuse any failed work
one telling us that it devalues their genuine claims to a them restless. A similar pattern follows with stimulants.
attempt, any forgetfulness, anything. It’s just a catch-all
disorder and makes society “see my problems as less of Medications such as methylphenidate (sold as Ritalin, Kit* is a student with suspected ADHD. They have been
excuse for imperfection. But that’s not actually what
a problem”. They also complained that with “everyone” Concerta, or Rubifen) and dextroamphetamine (sold as trying to get a diagnosis and prescription for more than
the condition is about at all, it’s about not getting out of
claiming to have ADHD, their own path to diagnosis was Dexedrine or Dexamfetamine) are psychostimulants eight months, but “There were so many obstacles… my GP
bed, it’s about not feeling like you can finish anything you
steeped in scepticism from doctors. But not everyone used in the treatment of ADHD that work by increasing [even] warned me off trying to get diagnosed because
ever start. It’s not ‘cool’, it’s infuriating.” Fredrick further
agreed. Another student, Keira, said something about the amount of dopamine signalling in the brain. When of the price and the difficulty of the process as an
bemoaned that “ADHD is like a rallying call for anyone of
how social media and people claiming to have it or who used by people without ADHD, the effect is perceived as adult.” They told us that “I somewhat doubt I'll be getting
this generation who thinks they have a problem because
self-diagnose are actually really good for the overall a “high” or even a “neuroenhancer” due to the increase stimulants, [especially] after instead being prescribed
they can’t function in a society designed to turn everyone
movement, because it gives a spotlight to people and in dopamine and accelerated heart rate, making it a antipsychotics for acute mania that I wasn't experiencing”.
into typewriters. And guess what? Everyone has a
maybe encourages them to seek help. The fact that wider well-known party or study drug. Despite this reputation, Instead, Kit said they have had to source medication
problem with that. No wonder they feel out of place.”
discussion has normalised the disorder was a good the science suggests that stimulants have a minor, if any, from friends with ADHD who “share meds that they tried
thing, according to Keira. Apparently, anyway. This is the effect in helping with cognition in neurotypical people and but didn’t work for them” just so they can focus. Kit has
An ADHD diagnosis, for some, is a coveted means to
interview that our reporters lost. could actually inhibit other parts of the brain. Basically for had to purchase Ritalin illegally on at least one occasion
free drugs. For others, it is a coveted means to a quieter
mind. For most, it seems to be the solution to feeling like those without ADHD, abusing these medications could because they have difficulty studying and no accessibility
Anyone who self-diagnosed, like Pam, probably be equivalent to a strong cup of coffee and maybe half a support available to them without a diagnosis.
they don’t fit in with the rest of the world, and for all, it’s
googled around until they ended up reading the wank. Even for people with ADHD, academic benefits can
a path not easily travelled. But instead of medicating
DSM-5, a sort of Bible for clinical psychology. In the be minimal. Research shows that though stimulants can ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that largely
our neurodivergent population and leaving it at that,
newest edition, changes have been made to the improve everyday functioning when living with ADHD, they affects the frontal lobe, resulting in traits such as
advocates suggest we should instead address the
ADHD criteria. One notable change was a note about may not be as effective in areas that pertain to studying. hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness that impair
broader system that makes them feel out of place in the
Autism Spectrum Disorder, which previously was not Essentially, prescription stimulants are far from a free everyday functioning. It’s theorised that this is due to a
first place. Scholars like David Graeber suggest that we
considered to be comorbid with ADHD as they’re similar ride. lack of dopamine from a faulty reward system in the brain,
should examine why we stopped valuing a neurodivergent
neurodevelopmental disorders. But the two can exist leading those with ADHD to seek dopamine through risk
brain as an asset, and started labelling it a disorder.
in the same person at the same time, and students like The Ministry of Health lists stimulants as one of the most taking behaviour or have trouble completing tasks due
Perhaps we should consider how our work-obsessed
Charlie* have struggled in the past to reconcile the two abused classes of prescription drugs in New Zealand, to the lack of a reward incentive. Stimulants help to even
culture might have encouraged so many young people to
conditions as their stereotypes can conflict with each but still significantly behind opioids and benzodiazepines. out this reward system, making it easier to stay motivated
think that because they can’t work eight hours a day, five
other. “I am one with the ‘tism, but now I have ADHD as Though they’re primarily misused as study aids or party and maintain focus, while also satiating parts of the brain
days a week, that something must be wrong with them,
a side piece,” said Charlie. She received her autism and drugs due to their supposed cognitive and behavioural that are normally hyperactive. People with ADHD who
instead of asking if there was something wrong with the
ADHD diagnoses within the last few years. Outside of a effects, a small portion of heavy drug users also use take stimulants often report feeling calmer or quieter
system that put them there.
prescription stimulants intravenously. Because of afterwards, and more able to focus without becoming
this, ADHD psychostimulants are considered Class B distracted or overwhelmed. It just makes day to day life
Controlled Drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and easier.22 23
FEATURES ARONUI 04 FEATURES ARONUI 04
“We were on a bit of an MD bender and someone said that There are only two types of ADHD stimulant medication that her brain doesn’t reciprocate. “Nah, no qualms, I like
that are funded by Pharmac NZ and available to patients. people on my level.”
they had some Ritalin we could do”, Alex told Critic. “We cut up The first, methylphenidate, is available in several forms:
some lines and snorted it – I think we had two or three lines as immediate- or sustained-release Ritalin/Rubifen, or
in its long-acting form under the brand name Concerta,
Ana*, on the other hand, said that she feels others' drug
misuse could mean medical professionals treat her like a
each – and afterwards everyone else was hyper and talking at all of which are available at various dosages. Also “criminal” for having ADHD. “[It makes me] nervous asking
like three hundred words a minute, but I was almost passing funded is the stimulant dexamphetamine, or Dexedrine,
which is only available here as 5mg tablets. Two
to try different drugs… I’ve been through a few while trying
to find the one which is best for me… I’m terrified that
out and struggling to stay awake. I wouldn’t be diagnosed with non-stimulant ADHD medications are available and
though they're not as favoured, variety is key. Current
they think I’m hoarding different drugs to sell. I’ve recently
had Student Health refuse to give me my prescription
ADHD for another ten years.” literature suggests trialling a range of medications because they didn't think I needed it." Though they
first, as ADHD presentation and response to different may be seen as habit forming, recent studies question
drugs can vary greatly. Other well-established ADHD the addictive qualities of stimulants in people with
stimulants such as Adderall (mixed amphetamines) and ADHD. Roughly half of ADHD patients discontinue their
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) are not currently available medication before it’s recommended, and tend to take
in the country at all due to cost, legislation around new less rather than more even when it works in improving
controlled substances, MedSafe procedures, and fear of their condition.
abuse.
Fredrick moved to New Zealand with his American
In the US, for example, up to 20% of students have Adderall prescription, and said that he “sold those pills
abused prescription stimulants for academic purposes, off for a killing. Internationals would come over from the
with Adderall by far being the most popular. In New US and Norway and seemed to think that they couldn’t
Zealand, however, studies suggest that only around 3-6% pass their exams without it.” Since then however, Fredrick
of uni student drug users have misused prescription said that he’d “switched to a different script here and
stimulants, usually gained from peers who distribute have never sold again.” Back in the states, he and his
from a prescription – a punishable offence under the friends would use Adderall recreationally while drinking,
Misuse of Drugs Act, with up to 14 years imprisonment for “but that was awful. Lines of Adderall only suppressed
distributing a Class B substance. our drunkenness, and the only times I’ve ever blacked
out have been because of that combo.” Stimulant abuse
Liv* is a twenty-something year old diagnosed with ADHD carries risks of seizures and cardiovascular issues, which
in the past year, and a self-described “hard out pusher” is increased when they are combined with alcohol or
who illegally sells her medication to nonprescription other drugs, especially when snorted.
users. She said she struggled to get a diagnosis and
prescription at first, especially as a casual drug user. “My While it was “easy as piss” for Frederick to get his
psychiatrist didn’t want to prescribe me ritties because prescription, Kiwi students face a different battle. Alex,
I told her I love to party and use MD often, and in the from the beginning of this story, has only just gotten a
past I’ve abused dexys.” Liv also said that “I never feel prescription for ADHD medication - ten years after he first
pressure to sell [prescription stimulants] …especially suspected it was needed. The specialist he fought so hard
when I feel like someone could genuinely benefit from a to see gave him careful instructions on starting his Ritalin
couple for stressful moments, or when I sense another at a low dose and increasing slowly, advice that Alex is
ADHD person… or when there’s nothing else to put up my following carefully out of fears of being labelled a drug
nose at a party.” She recently sold “heaps” at a festival. seeker. “[Ritalin] helps with my anxiety, and stops me from
Liv claimed that she “actively lied to the psychiatrist to freezing up when faced with some kinda task. It means
double the prescription to sell or share them”, and knows I can stick to one train of thought instead of having like
“at least one other person” who does the same. According twelve and getting nowhere. It’s not perfect, but it makes
to Liv, “I have shared it in probably equal amounts for both things more manageable, I guess,” he said. "They've
[studying and partying]” but “I know people [with ADHD] been extremely helpful–no one gets how disabling ADHD
who struggle to get a prescription so I sell them some actually is. I just wish someone had listened to me when I
too”. was begging for help all my life”.
When we asked if she thinks ADHD is over- or Alex would never consider selling his medication, but
underdiagnosed, Liv said that she reckoned ADHD was said he would give it away. “Only if I have a friend who’s
underdiagnosed, “because it’s so inaccessible to get a undiagnosed and struggling, then yeah, of course. Even
diagnosis. Like who the fuck has $600 to spare [for some just to try it once and see if it works for them.” We advised
tests]?” Though it’s a contentious topic in some ADHD him that this would be considered distributing a Class B
communities, Liv doesn’t mind that the neurotypicals substance, and could be punishable with fines or jail time.
she gives her medication to will experience a high from it “Yeah, I’d still do it”, he said.You can also read
