A defence of death
Big Tobacco has launched a massive campaign to try and stymie the New Zealand Government’s plans to follow Australia in plain packaging of tobacco. They’re spending big bucks to put up a defence of death.
Early warning system
Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! A new drug has emerged. Unlike Lost in Space, we don’t have an early warning system for emerging synthetic drugs. But we probably should.
Death in custody
Since 2000, over 10 intoxicated or high people have died in police custody. What’s going wrong, and what needs to be done?
Opinion: Myths and moderate drinking
Economist Eric Crampton on why maybe a drink a day does keep the doctor away.
Mythbusters: Alcohol helps us forget
Mythbusters takes a look at whether alcohol, the go-to of many people in a crisis, will actually help you forget your problems.
Bizarre behaviour
Bath salts. Police and media keep blaming them for bizarre behaviour. But, as Russell Brown writes, perhaps they need also to have a look at their own bizarre actions.
Untouchable?
Cannabis use in Oceania is 9.1–14.6 percent – the highest in the world - yet every year we spend hundreds of thousands of police hours and over a $100m enforcing prohibition.
Storm in a pee cup
Do our current drug testing procedures balance the need for accuracy, the rights of employees and the principles of natural justice? Or does NZ have a drug testing problem?
About a drug: Psilocybin
The Aztecs called them teonanácatl, scientists call them Psilocybe, rappers refer to them as shrooms. Whatever you call them, magic mushrooms are a fungus that can have mind-altering effects.