DRUG LAW SYMPOSIUM BEING HELD

A symposium to discuss New Zealand's drug law and policy is being
held at Te Papa in Wellington next week.

The New Zealand Drug Foundation and the New Zealand Society on
Alcohol and Drug Dependence are hosting the event on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Law Commission is reviewing New Zealand's Misuse of Drugs Act,
which was developed 34 years ago.

The symposium, Through the Maze: Healthy Drug Law, aims to facilitate
in-depth discussion about what New Zealand's drug and law policy should be.

Speakers include Government advisors, United Nations officials and
academics and leaders of non-government organisations working in the
drugs and alcohol arena would speak at the event.

Symposium topics will include:

* A review of legislative options;

* public health and public security;

* International drug policy;

* The aims and elements of effective drug dependence treatment; and

* A special meeting on cannabis.