Articles with category: Media release
Overdose deaths remain unacceptably high as stimulant harms increase
New Zealand is losing three people a week to preventable overdose, while hospitalisations from stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are increasing alongside a recent surge in consumption.
SMART Recovery funding to grow local peer-led addiction support in communities
Government money for mental health and addiction, announced today, will go straight into building local capacity to support people who want to address substance use.
Health Committee to consider anonymous submissions on Good Samaritan overdose bill
People will be able to anonymously submit to the committee considering a law change that would legally protect people calling for help for drug emergencies.
Overdose Good Samaritan Bill to be debated in Parliament
A law change that would provide legal protections for people seeking help in the event of an overdose will be debated in Parliament
Drug checking service continues to grow
A new Drug Foundation report shows 12% growth in samples tested at its public clinics
Alarming increase in low-level drug prosecutions undermining health efforts
New Ministry of Justice data shows 2025 had the highest number of low-level charges for drug possession or use in a decade.
Record-breaking drug consumption shows, yet again, a new approach is needed
New data showing record-breaking cocaine consumption is just the latest evidence that the country’s drugs approach is failing.
Drug Foundation welcomes substance harm action plan
The NZ Drug Foundation is welcoming a new substance harm action plan that it says has many interventions the sector has long called for.
Growing demand shows addictions sector needs more investment
An increase in people accessing specialist addiction treatment highlights the hard work the sector is doing despite a longstanding lack of funding
New international report warns global drug policies are failing
The NZ Drug Foundation says a major new report on international drug policy reform over the past 10 years shows that the drug control system has failed and countries like New Zealand urgently need to change direction.
Major report recommends safer drug laws to combat rising harms
A major new report proposes evidence-based reform to New Zealand’s drug laws in response to growing drug harm that the Drug Foundation says will worsen without action.
Report shows concerning signals in overdose trends
New data shows a concerning increase in deaths and hospitalisations from stimulant drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine amid a recent surge in consumption.