News (Media Awareness Project) - New Zealand: The Potted Facts |
Title: | New Zealand: The Potted Facts |
Published On: | 2003-08-09 |
Source: | New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) |
Fetched On: | 2008-01-19 17:18:44 |
THE POTTED FACTS
* Cannabis is the third most popular drug in New Zealand, after alcohol and
tobacco. The committee says it is widely used for its "euphoric" effect.
* Use in New Zealand is comparable to the US, lower than Australia and
higher than the Netherlands.
* Most recent survey results (Public Health Research Unit) indicate just
over 50 per cent of 15- to 45-year-olds tried cannabis in 2001, up from 40
per cent a decade earlier.
* Heaviest users were 18- to 24-year-olds.
* Health Ministry estimates in 1999 that nearly 20 per cent of population
will suffer an alcohol use disorder and 2 to 3 per cent are at risk of
cannabis dependence disorder.
* About 22,000 people a year arrested for cannabis offences between 1994 and
2000.
* Maori convictions are disproportionate to the Maori percentage of the
population and Maori cannabis use rates.
* Over the past five years, about 65 per cent of cannabis offences resulted
in prosecution, with about 26 per cent resolved by warning or caution.
* 9399 people were arrested for cannabis use in 1999.
* Cannabis offences accounted for 94 per cent of all drug offences in the
past decade, and 4.6 per cent of all offences.
* Cannabis law enforcement accounted for $19 million of the $790 million
police budget (2 per cent) in 2000-2001.
* 552 written submissions (439 from individuals) to committee, nine expert
submissions and 1978 form submissions stating that a public health
perspective should replace a criminal justice approach.
* 52 per cent of submissions supported legalisation and regulation of
cannabis, and a further 20 per cent supported decriminalisation in some
form. Only 21.7 per cent supported the status quo.
* Most opposed any change allowing under-18s to use cannabis.
* Cannabis is the third most popular drug in New Zealand, after alcohol and
tobacco. The committee says it is widely used for its "euphoric" effect.
* Use in New Zealand is comparable to the US, lower than Australia and
higher than the Netherlands.
* Most recent survey results (Public Health Research Unit) indicate just
over 50 per cent of 15- to 45-year-olds tried cannabis in 2001, up from 40
per cent a decade earlier.
* Heaviest users were 18- to 24-year-olds.
* Health Ministry estimates in 1999 that nearly 20 per cent of population
will suffer an alcohol use disorder and 2 to 3 per cent are at risk of
cannabis dependence disorder.
* About 22,000 people a year arrested for cannabis offences between 1994 and
2000.
* Maori convictions are disproportionate to the Maori percentage of the
population and Maori cannabis use rates.
* Over the past five years, about 65 per cent of cannabis offences resulted
in prosecution, with about 26 per cent resolved by warning or caution.
* 9399 people were arrested for cannabis use in 1999.
* Cannabis offences accounted for 94 per cent of all drug offences in the
past decade, and 4.6 per cent of all offences.
* Cannabis law enforcement accounted for $19 million of the $790 million
police budget (2 per cent) in 2000-2001.
* 552 written submissions (439 from individuals) to committee, nine expert
submissions and 1978 form submissions stating that a public health
perspective should replace a criminal justice approach.
* 52 per cent of submissions supported legalisation and regulation of
cannabis, and a further 20 per cent supported decriminalisation in some
form. Only 21.7 per cent supported the status quo.
* Most opposed any change allowing under-18s to use cannabis.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...