ALCOHOL DEATHS EXPOSE WIDE DRUG DISPARITY

WELLINGTON - The number of New Zealanders who die from alcohol-related
illness or accidents far outweighs corresponding cannabis-related deaths,
according to figures released yesterday.

In response to a series of written parliamentary questions by Labour MP Tim
Barnett, Health Minister Annette King said the number of deaths in which
alcohol was the underlying cause was 419 between 1994 and 1996. Some of the
causes included gastritis, liver disease, cardiomyopathy, alcoholic
psychoses or dependence syndrome, non-dependent alcohol use disorder and
accidental poisoning.

There were a further 509 deaths from external causes such as road
accidents, drownings, suicide and falls, where alcohol may have been
responsible. For the same period, there was one death where cannabis was
listed as the underlying cause, and 23 deaths from external factors such as
drowning and suicide, where cannabis may have contributed.

Conditions in which cannabis could be the underlying cause of death
included drug psychoses, cannabis dependence syndrome and non-dependent
cannabis use disorder.

There appears to be widespread support within the Government for a revamp
of cannabis laws, with many favouring partial decriminalisation.

The Government intends reviewing the current cannabis law and has said any
change to the legislation would be decided by a conscience vote of MPs. The
issue is whether possession of small amounts of the drug for personal use
should continue to be a criminal offence.

Partial decriminalisation could mean that someone found with a small amount
of cannabis for personal use would not face going to court, but receive an
instant fine instead.

In response to further questions by Mr Barnett, Justice Minister Phil Goff
said 3134 people were convicted in 1998 of possessing less than 28 grams of
cannabis, compared with 3046 in 1997 and 2884 in 1996. Most were aged
between 20 and 30.

Police Minister George Hawkins said more than 75,000 police hours were
spent dealing with incidents involving possession of cannabis during
1998-99 and more than 12,000 offences of cannabis possession were recorded.
Not all cases went to court. In some cases only a warning was issued.