Stemming the tide in the north - MattersofSubstance - NZ Drug Foundation
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Mattersof Substance. july 2018 Volume 29 Issue No.2 www.drugfoundation.org.nz Stemming the tide in the north One year on, Te Ara Oranga has led to more people receiving treatment and other positive outcomes across Te Tai Tokerau. It’s giving locals hope – and they hope the pilot can be continued.
Contents
WORLD GUEST EDITORIAL:
04 NEWS WHAT TO EXPECT
Stemming
WHEN CANADA
LEGALISES
the tide in FEATURE:
MĀORI ENTERPRISES 32
the north
GEAR UP FOR MEDICINAL
CANNABIS MARKET
02 NZ
NEWS
COVER 16
STORY FEATURE:
THE BIG ASK
Drug prevention
06 pilot gives
Northlanders hope. 28
Cover Image: Photo by Jason Wong on Unsplash
FEATURES
16
Mäori enterprises
22
Festival goers more
24
Is Norway set to spark
28
The big ask
Become
a member
gear up for medicinal informed – and a drug policy With the cannabis The New Zealand Drug Foundation has
cannabis market more cautious revolution? referendum on the horizon, been at the heart of major alcohol and
The prospect of legally Last summer The world is watching – Russell Brown reflects on other drug policy debates for over 20 years.
growing cannabis for KnowYourStuffNZ and Could Norway’s change of how vital it is to get the During that time, we have demonstrated
commercial gain and the Drug Foundation heart be the catalyst for a question right. a strong commitment to advocating
community benefit is again offered harm new wave of reform? policies and practices based on the
attracting some in te ao reduction services at best evidence available.
Mäori. Vice reporter Tess several festivals. See a
McClure visits two summary of the results. You can help us. A key strength of the Drug
potential growers. Foundation lies in its diverse membership
base. As a member of the Drug Foundation,
REGULARS you will receive information about major
alcohol and other drug policy challenges.
You can also get involved in our work to
32 34 38
find solutions to those challenges.
Prevention & education
news 40
Our membership includes health promoters,
Q&A: Anne Bardsley 40 primary health and community organisations,
GUEST EDITORIAL VIEWPOINTS OPINION
What to expect Medicinal cannabis Are we truly set up researchers, students, schools and boards
when Canada paradigms to support whaiora? of trustees, policy makers, and addiction
legalises Just get on with it, or slow Bringing whaiora to the treatment agencies and workers.
With a nationwide legal down and wait for more fore: let’s not lose sight of
cannabis market coming evidence? We explore the people we are working
Membership and subscription enquiries
into being soon, find on both sides of the for, says Tangi Noomotu.
membership@drugfoundation.org.nz
what this might mean for argument.
or visit our website.
the country’s society,
youth and public health. www.drugfoundation.org.nz
matters of substance is published matters of substance invites Brand development/ NZ Drug Foundation
by the New Zealand Drug feedback and contributions. graphic design 4th Floor, 265 Wakefield Street
Foundation. All rights reserved. If you’re interested in Insight +64 4 801 6644 PO Box 3082, Wellington,
Neither this publication nor any contributing a guest editorial talktous@insightcreative.co.nz New Zealand
part of it may be reproduced or article, please contact us: www.insightcreative.co.nz p +64 4 801 6303
matters of substance without prior permission of the editor@drugfoundation.org.nz
July 2018 Drug Foundation. p +64 4 801 6303
Vol 29 No. 2
ISSN 1177-200X
This report is printed on Advance Laser, an environmentally responsible paper produced using elemental chlorine free (ECF) pulp sourced from sustainable and legally harvested farmed trees. Advance Laser is manufactured
under the strict ISO 14001 environmental management system. The ink used in the production of this report is 100% vegetable based, mineral oil free and manufactured from 100% renewable resources.
THE DIRECTOR’S CUT SOCIAL
@KnowYourStuffNZ Can we please stop arguing
about how to refer to synthetic cannabinoid
products and instead focus on how to help
people not die? ... 12 JULY
@tony_blackett Asking if Canada is leading the
way with cannabis law reform: ‘legalise,
regulate, and minimise...’ Sounds like three
strikes to me! ... 21 JUNE
@JustinTrudeau It’s been too easy for our kids to get
T
marijuana - and for criminals to reap the profits.
he government has a huge clean-up on its Today, we change that. Our plan to legalize &
hands following the recent release of the
regulate marijuana just passed the Senate.
Chief Science Advisor’s meth-contaminated
houses report. #PromiseKept ... 20 JUNE
Lead author Anne Bardsley (see Q&A
page 40) and Sir Peter Gluckman have put an @philquin Even the Poms are getting with the
end to this ridiculous, long-running, harmful
programme on post prohibition drug reforms,
scam. I must admit to a certain pleasure at
the shutdown of this cynical industry. albeit meekly. Come on, NZ, if that crusty
ROSS BELL The government is still trying to bunch of dysfunctional toffs can get their head
Executive Director understand the scale and impact of the mess around it, surely our comparatively woke
created by the heartless policy of Housing leaders can! ... 13 JUNE
New Zealand – and how to redress those
families who have been hurt, who have had property destroyed,
who have lost housing security, who face debt and, in some cases, @bernardchickey A meth tester says landlords are
who have been torn apart. smarter than the chief science adviser Sir Peter
I didn’t realise the problem would be many times worse than
Gluckman, and it’s not about health anyway...
we warned. In the aftermath of this meth mess, the media are now
uncovering absolutely heart-breaking stories of hurt and humiliation.
it’s about something else. I wonder what ... 30 MAY
For us, this has always been about the evictions of very vulnerable
people from their homes by our largest social housing landlord. Yes, KEY EVENTS & DATES
some of those tenants would have been using meth, and many of those
vulnerable people would have struggled with a meth addiction. When
15 AUG
Alcohol Action Conference 2018: Who should pay for all the harm
the government and its agencies should have been providing help and from alcohol?, Wellington alcoholaction.co.nz
support to those people, it was instead causing greater pain and harm.
That has now changed. I am left feeling so grateful and optimistic
12–15 SEP
with the radical change in direction led by Housing New Zealand and Cutting Edge, Rotorua
cuttingedgeconference.org.nz
its Minister, Phil Twyford.
We should all applaud the new ‘no eviction’ policy, along with
reintroduction of compassion and pastoral care. But let’s be realistic
15–17 OCT
NZ Harm Reduction Conference: Reflecting on 30 Years of Harm
about the challenges of this new approach. Increasingly, Housing Reduction, Christchurch nznep.org.nz
New Zealand will be supporting tenants with complex vulnerabilities.
That’s no easy task considering the legacy of underfunded treatment
31 OCT – 1 NOV
and social services. Healthy Futures: Inspiration, Inclusion and Integration, 13th Biennial
The government has led off on the right foot with redevelopments Asian Pacific Mental Health and Addiction Conference, Auckland
starting for the Auckland City Mission and the infamous Greys cmnzl.co.nz/healthy-futures
Avenue site. These will see quality new residences combined with
wrap-around health and social support on site. Such models are well
4–7 NOV
proven overseas. APSAD Scientific Alcohol and Drug Conference, Auckland
apsadconference.com.au
There are three lessons we should learn from the meth hysteria.
First, when evidence and science don’t inform drug policy, people
suffer greatly. New Zealand’s Misuse of Drugs Act exemplifies that.
6–9 NOV
5th National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference, Adelaide
Second, the media is so influential. Poor journalism helped the nidaconference.com.au
growth of the meth-testing industry and its hysteria. But there are
cases where quality journalism helped expose the human impact
26-29 NOV
of bad policy. I hope those journalists can look now at failed drug
8th Gathering of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide, Sydney hosw.com/
law. Finally, political leadership is so important when we need
transformational policy. Without it, the consequences are terrible.
As New Zealand continues debating the future of drug law, we will
need senior politicians – government and opposition – to be brave, Follow us
honest and mature. Join us online
These lessons should not be ignored. drugfoundation.org.nz/connect
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 01
News
NZ. 03 Mental health 04 New Bill
02 LAPs “put and addictions: demands eight
alcohol New Zealand years’ jail for
interests knows the synthetics
above health” answers supply
01
$17M
$17M FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG
TREATMENT
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
New Zealand (LGNZ) says
local alcohol policies (LAPs)
aren’t working and has asked
THE GOVERNMENT’S Mental
Health and Addiction Inquiry
is well under way, and
submissions closed on 5 June.
AN AMENDMENT to the
Psychoactive Substances Act
(PSA) was pulled from the
government’s ballot earlier
The government will use seized central government to tighten We have recommended this year, and a report is due
drug money to provide a $17 million licensing laws to stop the
alcohol industry undermining
urgent changes to the way
New Zealand responds to
in September. The members’
Bill put forward by new
funding boost to Auckland City community interests. addiction issues and well National MP Simeon Brown
Mission’s Alcohol and Other Drug LGNZ President Dave Cull defined steps to achieve them. would increase penalties
for supplying synthetic
says the process puts “the The Drug Foundation
treatment centre. right to trade in alcohol above reminded the inquiry psychoactive substances from
measures to reduce its harm”. that many good solutions two years in jail to eight years.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it’s If a community has made its have already been proposed Despite the best of intentions,
“entirely appropriate” that money seized wishes clear, he says, their in response to previous research shows that increasing
under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act local representatives should commissions and reviews. penalties has no effect on
will finance two new floors and an extra have the autonomy to follow Too much time and money supply. In fact, suppliers
10 beds for the centre, bringing the city’s those wishes. Instead, they has been spent on writing are often using the drug
total to 30. “This development will help are being forced to spend strategies that were never themselves, so they need
sometimes millions of dollars properly funded or health solutions not harsh
turn lives around. I can’t think of a better
fighting industry interests. implemented, so we think penalties. The original PSA
use of the funds recovered from the it’s time to hold government is due for review this year
Parliament is currently
proceeds of crime than that,” says Ardern. considering an amendment and agencies to account. anyway, and this will be
The one-off payment comes on top of $18m to the Sale and Supply of The full submission is an opportunity for a major
the previous National Government committed Alcohol Act, and the Drug available online. overhaul to get it working
Foundation submission as it was originally intended.
for the rebuild of the Auckland City Mission,
strongly recommends
which is now expected to cost $85m. RESOURCE
scrapping the LAP
appeals process. NZdrug.org/news
05 Māori voices strong at UN’s
indigenous issues forum 06 Synthetic callouts triple as new symptoms appear
in April to talk about how few months, with a new set closely monitored, because
much unfair drug laws impact of symptoms emerging. ESR data shows the chemical
indigenous people around Last year, patients were makeup of synthetic drugs
the world. often found convulsing, but changes regularly. “It’s
Gilbert says indigenous people paramedics say lately they’re important for everyone
often go unheard in the drug finding people unconscious involved to do their bit,
policy space, so he called for with difficulty breathing. to contribute to that
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS other indigenous people to As they wake up, they can data puzzle.”
took the world stage in add their voices to the debate. become confused, agitated Coronial services confirmed
New York recently. The Drug He asked the UN to support AUCKLAND EMERGENCY or violent. Drug Foundation three deaths were potentially
Foundation’s Gilbert Taurua an international indigenous services have noticed a sharp Harm Reduction Projects linked to synthetic drugs in
travelled to the UN Permanent drug policy network to rise in callouts linked to Adviser Samuel Andrews May, two of them in Auckland
Forum on Indigenous Issues strengthen those voices. synthetic drugs over the past says symptoms need to be and one in Canterbury.
02 matters of substance July 18
30 YRS
01 06 09
07
02 03 04
05 08 10 High-profile
speakers for
09 $200 for Harm Reduction
reckless Conference
drinking stories
10
THE NZ Needle Exchange
08 More Kiwis Programme has confirmed
driving under A WEST AUCKLAND licensing
two keynote speakers for
trust removed an irresponsible
the influence Facebook post recently, New Zealand’s very first
following a complaint from Harm Reduction Conference
Alcohol Healthwatch. West in October. They are Nicole
Liquor’s post invited people Lee, Adjunct Professor at
to share their “craziest Australia’s National Drug
memories” involving five Research Institute and Director
brands of spirits, with a of 360Edge consulting, and
$200 prize up for grabs. Dr Marianne Jauncey, Medical
Commenters shared stories Director of Sydney’s Uniting
ADULTS CHARGED with of drinking until they passed Medically Supervised
07 Mega-prison out, mental health driving under the influence out, fighting, injuring Injecting Centre.
treatment in of alcohol or other substances themselves, having Thirty years ago, a much-
hit a six-year high last year, unprotected sex, wetting maligned community found
built mental health facility according to figures published themselves, vomiting and the strength to stand
will be built. by Figure.NZ. being arrested. together and say “nothing
The new mental health unit Media attention has turned Alcohol Healthwatch said the about us without us”. That
will mark a turning point to roadside saliva drug tests post and its replies could be philosophy still stands at 20
in the way prisoners with lately, and a private members’ considered advertising, putting peer-based outlets throughout
problems are cared for, Bill currently before Parliament it in breach of the principles New Zealand. The three-day
with psychiatric staff would allow Police to conduct governing alcohol promotion. conference will look back
permanently on site. random tests for cannabis, Concerns about the remaining at how needle exchange
A CLEAR signal about programmes got started
In announcing the plan, MDMA and methamphetamine. licensing trusts have been
government commitment to and explore ways to keep
Corrections Minister Kelvin However, the Bill does not building since a 2014
reducing prisoner numbers has Davis said American-style up the momentum.
have the backing of the Auditor-General report found
been sent through the decision mega-prisons just turn Transport Agency. Associate they lacked accountability,
not to build a billion dollar low-level offenders into Transport Minister Julie Anne and the West Auckland RESOURCE
mega-prison at Waikeria in more hardened criminals, Genter says solutions need to community has criticised
the Waikato. Instead, a and backing them is be “based on evidence and, local trusts for not giving nznep.org.nz/conference-
smaller unit with a purpose- lazy politics. ultimately, be effective”. back to the community. introduction
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 03
News
World. 04
08
03 09
01
03 Canadian
Senate
votes yes to
recreational
cannabis
01 SINGLE MUMS FILLING MEXICO’S PRISONS
CANADIANS WILL be able
Worldwide, the number of women to legally buy and use
04 Too much pot
cannabis from 17 October,
in jail is rising – mostly for drug- with legislation introducing to sell
related offences. In Mexico, according a strictly regulated market 05 Groovin the
for use. The historic law Moo paves the
to feminist organisation Equis, the change was passed at its way for more
female prison population rose 103 final reading in the Canadian drug checking
Senate 52 to 29.
percent between 2014 and 2016. In the lead-up to the vote,
indigenous senators in
Coletta Youngers, Senior Fellow at the particular had significant
concerns with the Bill and WHAT HAPPENS when the
Washington Office on Latin America, says market is left to self-regulate?
wanted a guarantee that
many of those women are single mothers more resources would go Ask someone from Portland,
who took the fall for a husband, boyfriend towards mental health Oregon, where a gram of weed
and addiction services is now worth less than a glass
or family member. In a country where for indigenous people. of wine. That’s because over- SUCCESSFUL DRUG checking
at Canberra’s music festival
50 percent of the population live in poverty, For more detail, read
enthusiastic Oregon farmers
have grown three times what Groovin the Moo has advocates
they see it as a way out: “It’s an easy way “What to expect when
their customers can smoke convinced it’s just a matter
Canada legalises” (page 32).
to combine their childcare responsibilities in a year, leaving the state of time before Australia sees
with a glut of legal cannabis. testing expand to other events.
with earning an income.” Locking them up
Currently, Portland has no Of the 85 samples tested
makes for good statistics, Youngers says, but by STA-Safe Consortium at
cap on cannabis production,
has no impact whatsoever on the drug trade. and regulators must give the April festival, two were
permits to all valid applications. found to be deadly. One
However, the lack of restraint was the synthetic drug
has caused a significant N-ethylpentylone, responsible
for 13 hospitalisations here in
02 Aussies lagging behind in cutting down price drop, and now small
New Zealand. The other was
businesses are laying off
employees and some farms NBOMe, a powerful synthetic
USA, the UK, Canada and other countries have begun
have shut down altogether. hallucinogen linked to three
New Zealand in lowering permitting non-cigarette
As small growers are forced to Melbourne deaths in 2017.
rates of smoking. alternatives like vaping,
sell to investors, the market is Harm Reduction Australia
To mark World No Tobacco heat-not-burn devices and
being bought up by a few big President Gino Vumbaca says
Day, GPs and public health snus (a moist powder tobacco
players. And there’s a new they will send a report to the
experts released data showing popular in Scandinavia), temptation: to illegally leak ACT Government because
that Australia’s decline in the Australian Government excess crops across state lines. big-name festivals are unlikely
AUSTRALIA, ONCE a leader annual smoking rates had has gone in the opposite Growers hope that, as more to risk having drug tests
in anti-smoking policies, has almost stalled, at 0.2 percent, direction, banning vaping states legalise, interstate sales present without government
fallen behind Iceland, Norway, from 2013 to 2016. Just as from public spaces. will be permitted. and Police backing.
04 matters of substance July 18
10
07 06
08 Which US 02
07 Changing the states will vote 05
conversation on cannabis in
to make drug 2018?
use safer
06 Amnesty 09 Cannabis
International yes, random
make stand on testing no
drug policy 10 Scotland:
£0.50 per unit
minimum
IT’S GOING to be a busy
THE SCIENCE is stacking up, election season for the US,
and reputable medical journals with six more states poised
are starting to speak out for to put pot to the vote.
drug law reform. The British Michigan and Oklahoma WHILE ROADSIDE breath
IN A first for Amnesty Medical Journal (BMJ) and will probably vote before tests are commonplace here,
International, the global The Lancet have both added the year’s out. Michigan’s it seems that, in Canada, some
NGO voted to adopt a their weighty opinion to the proposed law will allow conservative politicians think AFTER SIX years battling the
policy on how states should drugs debate, with the BMJ possession of up to 2.5 ounces random alcohol testing is alcohol industry, Scotland has
address the challenges coming out strongly in favour for personal use, while unconstitutional. become the first country in
posed by drugs from a of legalising and regulating Republican-leaning Oklahoma the world to implement a
Conservative senators voted
human rights perspective. all drugs. will vote on medicinal minimum unit price for alcohol.
to delete a provision from
The policy was adopted at the “This is not about whether cannabis. Patients will need new impaired driving Since being finally introduced
annual meeting of Amnesty you think drugs are good or a licence to be prescribed legislation that would allow last month, the 50p per unit
country representatives bad,” the May BMJ article said. cannabis by a board-certified Police to conduct random minimum price has been
who meet to debate and “It is an evidence-based physician, which will allow tests without reasonable welcomed by medical
vote on the direction position entirely in line with them to carry up to three grounds to suspect the driver professionals and health
of Amnesty’s work. the public health approach ounces of marijuana on may be alcohol impaired. campaigners as the biggest
At this stage, high-level key to violent crime … on which their person and eight ounces The move came as a surprise breakthrough in public health
points have been agreed, doctors can and should make at home. after all parties previously since the ban on smoking in
with detailed policies due to their voices heard.” Another four states are on the supported the Bill in principle, public. It’s been estimated
follow. The policy calls for a Shortly afterwards, The Lancet cusp but may not make it into with Conservatives being the move could save around
shift away from the current called for governments around the 2018 ballot. Arizona and particularly enthusiastic. 392 lives in the first five years
‘scorched-earth’ approach of the world to take off their Nebraska plan to vote on Justice Minister Jody of its implementation in
heavy-handed criminalisation, blinkers, stop selecting evidence recreational cannabis, while Wilson-Raybould said the Scotland, where, on average
to an approach where that supports their position Utah and Missouri are set to government would not accept there are 22 alcohol-specific
protection of people’s health and lead honest conversation add medicinal cannabis to an amendment that drops the deaths every week and 697
and rights are at the centre. to make drug use safer. their ballots. random breath testing measure. hospital admissions.
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 05
Cover Story
Stemming
the tide in
the north
A pilot scheme aimed at stemming the damage
methamphetamine is causing in Northland has reached
the 12-month milestone. Te Ara Oranga was allocated
$3 million for extra treatment, more Police and
community-led prevention activities with an emphasis
on people working collaboratively across Te Tai Tokerau.
A short extension has been granted a progress report
delivered to the government in June is reviewed.
Those involved are adamant Te Ara Oranga has
proved its worth and should continue.
Keri Welham travelled to Northland to see what Te Ara
Oranga has achieved in its short life and how other
communities across New Zealand could use this model. KERI
WELHAM
06 matters of substance July 18
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 07
Cover Story
The message is clear when you enter Kaikohe.
Photo credit: Keri Welham
W
hen Kevin* wanted He lives in Kaikohe and estimates
to finally break “at least” 20 percent of the town’s 4,000 Kevin ... thinks he might
15 years of daily residents are using meth. He claims it’s
meth use, he moved a similar picture in Moerewa, Kawakawa
have given up years earlier if
to Northland. That and most of Northland’s other small a GP had talked to him about
was five years ago. rural towns. treatment options and a
These days, that’s Recently, a man came in to his shop to support worker had called
the last place you’d buy treats for his children. His bank card
go to escape meth. was declined, and Kevin said the man
offering to walk the journey
The drug has its hooks in Te Tai could have the ice creams and pay him with him. He could have been
Tokerau. Wastewater analysis indicates back another day. As the man fumbled spared years of pain.
higher meth use in Whängärei than in to put his card back in his wallet, a bag
any other city or town in New Zealand. of meth fell onto the counter. The man
An innovative one-year pilot has was quick to reassure that he was only
sought to reduce the chaos meth is causing using “part-time”. Kevin briefly and
up north. Te Ara Oranga [see sidebar] has gently outlined his lived experience
brought together Police, Health, NGOs and the services in their town, including
and residents – a community working the boosted support available through
together to address a problem and develop Te Ara Oranga.
tailored solutions. The pilot is nearing A week later, the man came back and
completion, and many say it has been asked Kevin for help.
a game changer. –––––
Kevin is a huge supporter of Te Ara Northland stretches from southeast of
Oranga. He thinks he might have given Mangawhai across to the Kaipara Harbour
up years earlier if a GP had talked to him and all the way up to New Zealand’s
about treatment options and a support northernmost tip, Cape Rëinga. The region
worker had called offering to walk the spans 13,286 square kilometres, has 10
journey with him. He could have been harbours and is home to 165,000 people
spared years of pain. – almost 85,000 of them in Whängärei.
Kevin is now a business owner and In tiny Moerewa (population 1,400),
a support worker with the Ngäti Hine you can buy pork bones and watercress at
Health Trust – the same organisation roadside shops. A grown man rides a tiny
that gave him life-changing residential BMX in gumboots, beefy dogs roam, cacti * Kevin is pseudonym for the person we interviewed
who requested their true identity not be used.
treatment when he arrived in Northland. grow, lawns are tight clipped on some
08 matters of substance July 18Wayne Whitney, Ivy Tenana, and Darin Goodwin promoting ‘Te Ara Oranga’
at Waitangi in February 2018.
Photo credit: Photograph by Michael Cunningham for The Northern Advocate
sections and tractors decay on others. highly unlikely individuals will be in who is changing before their eyes.
In the drizzle, a man walks down the the game long enough to get rich dealing Initially, 1,000 magnets were printed
street, hood up, fighting vigorously a messy, highly addictive, problematic and distributed. They were such a hit,
with his jacket pockets as though trying drug like meth. Police funded an additional 5,000.
to free himself. One home has rotting “There is no one that we know who Another suggestion was to create
weatherboards and no curtains, and from is retired and living with their millions resource kete to go to each community
the road, you can see a single mattress on an island in the Bahamas.” containing stickers, videos, magnets,
on the ground. Many other homes seem A couple of years back, Northland billboards. Five of the kete were created,
to be disintegrating in the damp tropical Police and Health began working together blessed and delivered back to the
warmth, melting into the earth. A fairly on two other critical issues – youth suicide communities through a second series
new car seat lies in a sopping wet driveway. and family violence. They jointly applied of hui attended by 600 people.
On the main street, men in white AFFCO for Proceeds of Crime funding to support Throughout the consultation
gumboots walk into the bakery. the Family Harm focus, but Cabinet said phase, Pam asked people at hui to
State Highway 12 passes the Northland it’d like the agencies to look at tackling share their stories.
Region Corrections Facility, and then you’re methamphetamine – the drug that was “The drug’s a terrible thing,” she
in Kaikohe. It’s a service town where you becoming a regular fixture in family concluded. “With smoking dak, it’s not
can buy cars, pre-loved clothing, headstones. violence, causing a wave of social harm problematic. The behaviour’s nowhere
The Police station roof is covered in lichen. across Te Tai Tokerau. near as problematic. They are not ripping
A man struts up and down the main street Police, Health, NGOs and community people off and doing these out-of-it crimes.”
on a relentlessly wet day holding a small representatives brainstormed together People exploit their children’s
radio, yelling and kicking billboards. and came up with the framework for basic needs to extract money for
Kevin says he knows of homes in Te Ara Oranga. methamphetamine from their families.
Kaikohe where methamphetamine is being Work to flesh out the programme Many women sell sex to pay off drug
consumed by three generations. He knows started with intensive community debts. Many Northland families have been
of intermediate-age children caught with consultation across Northland, led by financially stripped bare by one family
meth at school. community action expert Pam Armstrong. member who has lost control. Clinicians
“The problem in a town like this is Hundreds attended. Communities were say night industry staff use it to stay awake
people look up to the wrong people.” listened to, and their ideas became the and get hooked. Middle class professionals
He says gang members are viewed basis of some of the most effective use it recreationally – and it takes over.
as role models, and many people are elements of Te Ara Oranga. On marae, people turn up pre-loaded –
drawn in by the potential to make a lot One example is a cheap, easy-to- their whanaunga take one look at them and
of money dealing meth. But, as a former distribute fridge magnet. It features the know they’re “on the fries”. There’s even
meth manufacturer and dealer himself, meth cycle – information that is highly talk that it’s swapped by teens at high
Kevin knows the reality is that it’s valued by families faced with a person school in exchange for lunch money.
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 09Cover Story
Kaikohe Dance Crew with local Police filming the ‘Let’s make a change’
music video in Kaikohe.
This is a health issue.
Substance abuse is a health
issue...We [Police] have
been disconnected from the
health issue. Traditionally,
we might have just
criminalised everything,
but we went out to engage
with communities.
DEAN ROBINSON
Photo credit: Liz Inch
During the consultation, many marae Oranga was challenging. People had Jenny: “We’ve got people with
requested resources to help them discuss to come from the community, and the significant criminal histories now in jobs.”
methamphetamine use with members of contracts were only for one year, so there She says the programme has also
their hapü. was no job security. Where possible, the enabled the DHB to access a whole new
“They could see their community project team worked to attract applicants swathe of people in need. Of the 308
was starting to be impacted,” Pam says. with experience of living in the towns referred to Northland DHB for treatment
“They wanted to prepare themselves.” where the positions would be based, in the six months to 31 March this year,
Across Northland, one-third of familiarity with te ao Mäori and experience 120 were not previously known to mental
residents are Mäori. North of Kawakawa, living with addiction. health and addiction services.
that figure is 43 percent. Roughly 50 percent Jenny says Te Ara Oranga has broken Normally 50 to 60 percent of referrals
of clients in alcohol and other drug (AOD) new ground in drug harm reduction. One come from Corrections – people who are
treatment across the region are Mäori. example is an employment programme forced to seek treatment as part of their
Pam says the high rates of drug use where people are supported into jobs sentence. Through Te Ara Oranga, referrals
among Mäori are a direct link to the before they have stopped using. In many came from Police, GPs, Whängärei
poverty in which many Mäori live. instances, this means the job seekers are Hospital’s emergency department and
“When you don’t have much, you’re still committing crimes to fund their use. other previously untapped avenues.
willing to take the risks. Poverty goes Rebecca Priest, an occupational Jenny says people who use
hand in hand with drug use. It would therapist from Workwise employment methamphetamine are particularly
appear that some of the most vulnerable agency, approached community-centric suspicious and paranoid and therefore
people are the ones that it’s impacting employers who understood that more help-avoidant than most others who
on more significantly.” employment aids recovery and had some use drugs. On top of this, they tend to be
––––– tolerance for unreliability and the other involved in more serious crimes, so often
Jenny Freedman is the professional issues people using methamphetamine there really are gangs chasing them over
leader of AOD treatment for Northland often bring. She helped prepare the job debts or issues with dealers.
District Health Board (DHB) Mental seekers with fresh CVs and meditation Jewel Reti project manages the health
Health and Addiction team. She says it techniques to calm anxiety and worked arm of Te Ara Oranga. She says it can be
was critical Te Ara Oranga was anchored with each job seeker and employer to a very hard drug to identify if you’re not
in Mäori tikanga. negotiate appropriate terms. aware of the symptoms. In the beginning,
“You’ve got to match your community,” In total, there were 67 referrals to many users lose weight, have energy and
she says. “You want people’s ears to be Te Ara Oranga’s employment programme. look amazing.
open, [for them to] feel as comfortable as Of those, four people who were in danger “Some will look better than they’ve
they can.” of losing their jobs were supported to keep ever looked,” Jewel says.
Recruitment for the new community them, 26 people obtained new work and It can be a decade before they lose their
outreach positions created by Te Ara eight people undertook vocational training. teeth and are bone skinny – the classic
10 matters of substance July 18Ross Smith and Martin Kaipo receive the Whangarei Te Ara Oranga
kete from Mare Clarke (right).
Photo credit: Liz Inch
‘meth look’ from scare tactics campaigns. “This is a health issue. Substance abuse
But by then, they will likely be alone, is a health issue,” Dean says. “We [Police] We talk with users
destitute and living in drug-induced fear. have been disconnected from the health
What if the programme is dropped? issue. Traditionally, we might have just
and most suppliers and
Jenny: “If we only get six months, we criminalised everything, but we went out offer access to treatment
won’t get to see the true value of the project.” to engage with communities.” programmes. From science,
What if it is funded, but to a lesser He realises many New Zealanders we know [you] can’t
degree. What part of the programme will would prefer Police locked up all people
they drop? involved with illegal drugs. But he is
always convince people
Jewel: “Not one bit of this is any convinced of the merits of an approach they need treatment.
good without all the other bits. That’s where officers line up treatment options
the reality of it. You need all the pieces and support people using drugs and DEAN ROBINSON
to be effective.” suppliers to get help.
––––– Police have taken what he describes
As a Mäori woman living in Whängärei, as “a considered approach” to suppliers.
Jewel Reti says she has always been a little “We talk with users and most suppliers
wary of Police. That has changed since and offer access to treatment programmes.
she has come to work alongside Te Ara From science, we know [you] can’t always
Oranga’s Meth Harm Reduction team. convince people they need treatment.”
Inspector Dean Robinson is Northland’s So, sometimes charges are used as a tool
District Prevention Manager and Police to get suppliers to engage with treatment
lead for Te Ara Oranga. Jewel helped him – a kickstart, with a clear objective to get
recruit his Meth Harm Reduction team, the person help. People have told officers
and the Police staff who were handpicked they never expected their first offer of help
as members were those who displayed to come from Police. Around 50 percent of
empathy for people using drugs and who those Police have referred for treatment in the
were comfortable with the pilot’s past six months were not known to the DHB.
healthcare approach. However, Dean is clear Police are not
Dean says Te Ara Oranga has changed holding back on the organised criminal
the mindset for Police, from enforcement bodies putting meth onto Northland streets.
towards a healthcare response. His staff say “If you are supplying drugs and it’s for
they cannot arrest their way out of a meth the purpose of making money off it and
crisis, so instead they are referring people you’re creating a whole lot of harm, we
to treatment. will use the law to intervene,” he says.
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 11Cover Story
Muriwhenua community gathered in Kaitaia to accept the
Te Ara Oranga kete in August 2017.
Photo credit: Liz Inch
Police began testing Whängärei’s growing demand. Adopting marketing
wastewater in August 2017 to establish tactics common to shops promoting Clinicians have come
a baseline against which treatment and everyday consumer goods, people
enforcement could be measured. If there were enticed into trying this new drug.
across kaumätua in the grip
is a major meth seizure, does the rate of A committed clientele for meth began of the drug, losing their life
meth in the wastewater fall? Whängärei to grow. savings and their mana. And
wastewater shows population meth use At one bust, Police found a whiteboard entire workforces at some
there is currently four times higher than with a comprehensive operational business
Christchurch and three times higher plan laid out. It detailed how often the
small-to-medium Whängärei
than Auckland. gangs needed to change their delivery businesses are on it, passing
––––– routes and how often they needed to around a P pipe on a Friday
Back in the early 2000s, Dean and his buy new phone cards.
night after work in the same
colleagues started to see methamphetamine Initially, the Police focus was
hitting the streets of Northland. Police on enforcement – dismantling labs way they may once have
jurisdictions offshore had warned that the and locking up those involved in passed around a joint or sat
drug was highly addictive and, therefore, manufacture. But the gangs just used together drinking beer.
commonly unleashed a disastrous impact their contemporaries’ experiences
on the lives of people using it. offshore to find new ways to source
In the beginning, it was locally methamphetamine and its precursors
manufactured in relatively small batches, and to avoid detection. This is when
and base products were sourced in the importation of the drug and its key
New Zealand. Consumers then didn’t ingredients really ramped up.
have a sophisticated knowledge of the A surge in the availably of
drug, so the ‘meth’ they were buying methamphetamine means there is
was sometimes more salt and glucose barely a corner of the region unaffected.
than anything. Unlike cannabis, which has long been
At this stage, a point bag (usually 0.1g synonymous with the languid Northland
but not always, depending on supply and lifestyle, Dean says there is widespread
demand) was about $100, and at that price, disgust for meth in Northland. “The
the clientele was largely middle to upper community absolutely hates it.”
income earners such as truck drivers or Jenny Freedman agrees.
business owners. “The community would tell you it’s
This began to change as organised massive,” she says. “Everybody you meet
criminal groups put more effort into has a story.”
12 matters of substance July 18Sisters Gina Rihari-Pedersen and Lovenia Hillman with the
meth cycle that’s been useful for their whānau
In the five months
from January 2018, 37
patients were screened for
methamphetamine use and
provided brief intervention
or referral to treatment at
20 different practices.
Many high-functioning business
owners, lawyers, doctors and others with
generous incomes and considerable assets
are using methamphetamine as are those
living in extreme poverty, who don’t have
a job or home to lose.
“Initially, it was those who could afford
it,” Dean says. “Then, it was those who
couldn’t afford it but would do crime to
fund it.”
Clinicians have come across kaumätua Photo credit: Keri Welham
in the grip of the drug, losing their life
savings and their mana. And entire appear to be helpful in their infancy – are
workforces at some small-to-medium We often get the pilots, but not continued.
Whängärei businesses are on it, passing “All the places where people might
we don’t get the plane. touch patients, we’ve strengthened. A lot
around a meth pipe on a Friday night
after work in the same way they may once of our stuff only really started working
MAUREIN BETTS
have passed around a joint or sat together four months ago,” she says.
drinking beer. “We often get the pilots, but we don’t
Dean: “We’ve now got a culture get the plane.”
of use which has become increasingly she suspects there would not have been –––––
normalised.” a single referral from those 40 GP clinics Sisters Gina Rihari-Pedersen, 49, and
––––– in the year preceding the pilot. This is Lovenia Hillman, 48, were worried about
Maurein Betts led development of Te Ara not about a lack of interest or indifference their brother.
Oranga’s various screening and brief – it’s about finding time to become familiar His behaviour had changed markedly.
intervention tools for GPs. with methamphetamine use issues when He was a quiet, loving, gentle man with
Around 60 primary care nurses there is a line out the door and the day is an envied knowledge of tribal customs.
received fresh training in managing compartmentalised into 15-minute slots. He became an angry, threatening,
patients with mental health and addiction Recently, in a poorer suburb of antagonistic dad and uncle. He chucked
requirements. Documents about Whängärei, a 19-year-old father of two his job in and walked out on his family.
methamphetamine, which GPs could print came to see his GP. He’d been smoking “He was a totally different man who
out and go through with patients, were methamphetamine and thought he had demanded everybody’s respect and wanted
added to practice databases. Counselling some wax stuck in his throat. Staff at the everybody to listen to him,” Gina says.
packages were available for GPs to offer practice were confident in their response. “We were all walking on eggshells.”
patients. Addiction treatment organisations They openly discussed treatment, and Around the same time, Te Ara Oranga
were also added to the GPs’ e-referral when the patient refused, they devised came to Kaikohe. A support group was
system, making it much easier to arrange a plan. Without breaching patient started for families of those using
a referral. confidentiality, they gained kaumätua methamphetamine (these support groups
The tools were made available in 40 consent to disseminate generic meth cycle were one of the most common requests
practices across Northland. In the five information throughout the wider family from communities during development
months from January 2018, 37 patients so those around him could keep of the pilot).
were screened for methamphetamine themselves safe. The sisters didn’t think meth was
use and provided brief intervention or “For us,” Maurein says, “that’s amazing.” the issue but agreed some of the körero
referral to treatment at 20 different She says the community will feel at the support group might be helpful
practices. Maurein was delighted with betrayed if Te Ara Oranga programmes in determining a way forward for
this result. It’s not possible to check, but built on community suggestions – which their whänau.
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 13Cover Story
“I’ve lived here all my life,” Lovenia
Te Ara Oranga pilot Teropu says everyone says, “and they are my whänau and I
want to help.”
impact 01.10.17 to 31.03.18 in her town has experience There is the chance this determined
with methamphetamine. She family would have found help in the end,
says a ‘wave’ is coming for even without Te Ara Oranga. But it would
308
Northland. ‘How do we stop have taken longer to locate, and once they
did, the waiting times would have been
this thing?’ Te Ara Oranga several weeks longer. During those weeks,
is the first step, she says. more damage would have been done,
It needs to be continued more people hurt.
–––––
METHAMPHETAMINE USERS REFERRED TO – and extended. ‘I think
NORTHLAND DHB FOR TREATMENT Across the car park works Teropu Pou.
it’s just the beginning. It’s She is General Manager of Te Hau Ora
just touching on it. People o Ngäpuhi, which focuses on the
120 are still screaming out
for more support.’
wellbeing of children and babies.
She feels used by Te Ara Oranga.
OF THE She features in the programme’s videos,
supported its billboards and was excited
308 to imagine her organisation’s ideas might
be used.
REFERRED CLIENTS PRESENTING VIA She wanted the ability to have a
NEW REFERRAL PATHWAYS (THE MAJORITY retreat programme where women using
THROUGH POLICE) AND WHO WERE NOT
A diagram of the meth cycle was shown methamphetamine could go away, just
PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO MENTAL HEALTH
AND ADDICTION SERVICES at the support group, and they stared, for a week or two, and have their
nudged each other and shook their heads. children come and visit. They’d organise
Every behaviour outlined was a perfect professional guidance for around four
match for their brother’s new personality. women at a time and the kids would
236
Their brother was on methamphetamine. be safe – Teropu was going to babysit
The sisters called a meeting with him, them herself. All the women involved
his GP, treatment services and their mum. were specialists prepared to do the
Clearly motivated by a desire to stop work for free.
METHAMPHETAMINE USERS SUPPORTED BY POU hurting his mother, their brother confirmed “It was voluntary. We felt as
WHÄNAU CONNECTORS IN THE COMMUNITY he was using meth and agreed to treatment. Mäori leaders [that] we needed to
Meanwhile, the sisters set about writing contribute back.”
a whänau safety plan. It outlined when in The intention was treatment with
the meth cycle the children should avoid a focus on strengthening bonds with
38 their uncle and where to go if they had to
leave the house because of his behaviour.
Today, in the warm, worn, windowless
room where they meet at Mid-North Health
children and building resilience and
confidence in women. Teropu
acknowledges the numbers would have
been small but she says the positive
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CLIENTS and Addiction Services in Kaikohe, they outcomes for those whänau would have
SUPPORTED TO KEEP THEIR JOB OR PLACED INTO unfold two large sheets of paper and lay had far-reaching consequences.
EMPLOYMENT OR VOCATIONAL TRAINING
them on the table. The first is the meth However, her idea was not one
cycle poster, filled in with words their of those chosen, and she believes
family had used to describe their brother’s Te Ara Oranga “hasn’t even changed
890 behaviour. The second is their whänau
safety plan, including evacuation
procedures. These pieces of paper chart
this family’s journey.
anything” for women and children
affected by meth.
Pam Armstrong, who ran the
community consultations, says it is
PEOPLE SCREENED FOR METHAMPHETAMINE
AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE As well as the knowledge they gained valid the community wants to run its
THROUGH WHÄNGAREI HOSPITAL in this room, they also valued the company own programmes, but the scope was
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT on what had felt like a lonely journey. not there for localised initiations in the
Families come from all over the region one-year pilot.
– some travel for over an hour each way, Jenny Freedman from the DHB says
30
SEARCH WARRANTS EXECUTED
every Monday night – to be with others
facing a similar road. Lovenia says her
focus has now moved from being there
for her brother, who had not used
building a residential facility to house such
a programme would have cost $2 million
– the total amount allocated for the health
part of the contract.
methamphetamine for three months “We had to make a decision with that
at the time of writing, to being there money and timeframe, and residential
Figures supplied by Northland DHB.
for other Kaikohe families. treatment was not viable,” she says.
14 matters of substance July 18However, she can see a place for
marae-based programmes to cater to ideas
such as Teropu’s, as the marae setting
doesn’t require the same clinical rigour
and hospital-grade facilities that are a
necessity when a DHB is involved.
Teropu says everyone in her town has
experience with methamphetamine. She
says a “wave” is coming for Northland.
“How do we stop this thing?”
Te Ara Oranga is the first step, she says.
It needs to be continued – and extended.
“I think it’s just the beginning. What is
Te Ara Oranga?
It’s just touching on it. People are
still screaming out for more support.
There’s not enough support.
“It’s a start. It’s just a start.”
–––––
One of the most desperate needs in Te Ara Oranga Methamphetamine The pilot was developed with significant
Northland is still unmet. The project hoped Demand Reduction strategy pilot is community input, and by October 2017,
to increase DHB detox beds in the region an innovative collaboration to reduce a range of initiatives were under way:
from five to seven, to decrease crippling meth harm in Northland. The one-year ■■ Screening
to identify meth use among
wait times of up to eight weeks for $3 million programme has been funded emergency department patients.
residential treatment. by the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act
But building requirements, such ■■ Choice– a programme designed to
and is jointly led by Health and Police.
as consents to create beds that meet impart knowledge about the drug and
strict healthcare standards, take time. With the initial pilot phase over, the develop relapse prevention skills.
Northland DHB spokesperson Liz Inch programme has been granted a ■■ Aprogramme to help medical centre
says the funding for the beds is locked six-month extension to allow the staff identify patients experiencing
in and the detox unit extension will Ministry of Health to thoroughly review substance use and to make treatment
be built regardless of whether the pilot the evaluation report submitted in June. referrals easier for GPs.
is extended. A decision on whether the programme
■■ Whänau support to better equip
As they wait to hear about the future will be continued is expected later in
of the programme, those involved are families of people using meth.
the year.
moving back to the roles from which they ■■ Pou Whänau connectors to reduce wait
had been seconded and reflecting on this times and give timely support to those
last whirlwind year. Colleagues in other who are treatment avoidant.
$3M
parts of New Zealand are anxious to hear ■■ 16-week matrix model intensive
what has worked, what they could community-based treatment using
repurpose for their region.
existing Northland services, which
Dean says the programmes that make
clients attend at least three times
up Te Ara Oranga are a perfect fit for
per week.
Northland but might not necessarily
suit the unique demographics of other
PROGRAMME, FUNDED BY THE CRIMINAL ■■ Anevidence-based employment
communities. A community that was PROCEEDS (RECOVERY) ACT service supporting people into work
less spread out geographically, with even though they are still using and
a larger and more ethnically diverse potentially committing crimes to
population, might come up with fund their use.
totally different responses to an ■■ Asuite of whänau and community
intruder like methamphetamine. resources, including fridge magnets,
2018
“This has worked for Te Tai Tokerau,” pledge stickers tailored to 10 different
Jewel says. communities and educational videos
Could the same programme be
featuring community champions.
replicated elsewhere?
“A big city might do it differently,” ■■ Thesong Let’s make a change, written
she says. “We’ve got some tools that ONE-YEAR PILOT, JOINTLY LED by a Kaipara community support
might work [elsewhere], but you have to BY HEALTH AND POLICE worker, licensed and used as Te Ara
adapt it to work for your community.” ■ Oranga’s theme waiata to generate
awareness and motivate people to
Keri Welham is a Tauranga-based writer and seek help.
journalism trainer.
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 15Feature
Māori
enterprises
gear up for
medicinal
cannabis
market
New Zealand could soon have a local medicinal
cannabis company. Some Māori enterprises are
gearing up to win a share of the market. These early
expressions of interest have many motivations, as
Tess McClure recently discovered. This article is
brought to you in partnership with Vice NZ. TESS
McCLURE
Photo credit: Tess McClure
16 matters of substance July 18Phillipa, a student on a hemp-growing course, inspects young seedlings.
Photo credit: Thomas Teutenberg
T
he road to Ruatoria of medicinal cannabis in New Zealand.
is long – eight Currently, they hold a commercial A lot of Mäori are
hours from hemp-growing licence. As they wait for
Auckland and New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis reform
suppressed by low-level
two from Gisborne, to move through the legislation process, cannabis convictions...
the nearest town they’ve begun training locals to grow They can’t get good
to pass as an urban and process hemp – the plant cousin jobs because of a
centre. Often, you of cannabis – so they’re ready when
are the only car on the road. On the radio, the time comes.
criminal record.
channels drop away one by one, until the ––––
only station is Radio Ngäti Porou – Racial injustice has been a key driver of
bulletins in te reo, jukebox jams with Ken. international drug reform. But in America,
Undulating mänuka gives way to the dark a chasm has emerged between the
uniformity and order of radiata pine. communities of colour disproportionately
At an isolated sheep-shearing shed in hit by drug policing and the primarily
a Ruatoria valley, a crew of growers arrive white entrepreneurs making huge sums off
to pick up planting pots. It’s well past a billion dollar legal industry. In 2016, a
harvest time now, but a few weeks back, Buzzfeed investigation found just 1 percent
this room was filled with bunches and of weed dispensaries were owned by black
bunches of drying hemp. A few sacks of people. A number of states had introduced
buds are still here, giving off their sweet, laws meaning those with drug convictions
heavy scent. One of the men ducks out of were banned from involvement in the legal
photos: “Camera shy.” Before he did this, industry. “After having borne the brunt
he used to grow cannabis illegally. “Got of the ‘war on drugs’,” they write, “black
sick of ducking and diving,” he says. Now Americans are now largely missing out
he’s looking at doing hemp by the books. on the economic opportunities created
“Think about it. That’s a positive by legalization.”
thing,” his companion chips in. “These Here in New Zealand, it’s Mäori
guys” – he sweeps a hand around at the communities who have most often been
sheep shed – “they’re thinking about the hit by racial bias in drug policing. Even
people. That’s different to corporate when accounting for rates of use, at every
companies coming in and taking over.” stage of the criminal justice system, Mäori
‘These guys’ are Hikurangi Industries, are more likely to be apprehended, charged
racing to be among the first legal producers and given a prison sentence than their
www.drugfoundation.org.nz 17You can also read
