Safer Drug Laws For Aotearoa New Zealand

9 October 2025

The Harm Reduction Coalition Aotearoa (HRCA) welcomes today's launch of the Drug Foundation's report on the failure of the Misuse of Drugs Act (MoDA). HRCA was impressed with the enthusiasm of all parties attending today's launch at Parliament towards drug law reform and was especially pleased to see representation from the entire political spectrum.

It is almost universally accepted now, that drug prohibition has caused more harm than it prevents. Indeed, it is telling to hear that over 50 years ago an MP for Invercargill, cautioned about this possibility – rightly asserting that drug use is a social issue, not a crime issue.

We concur with the report’s strong criticism of the 1975 MoDA which has failed in its objectives and has caused untold levels of harm including overdose, disease, stigma, criminalisation, fear of seeking treatment, organised crime and violence - prohibition harms that have disproportionately impacted the Māori community.

HRCA is concerned the report does not go far enough to address the heart of the problem. We welcome decriminalisation, but only as an easy first step towards legalisation. The 1975 Act should not be "overhauled" but rather repealed and replaced. No drug is made safer by prohibition. Decriminalisation leaves the supply of drugs in the criminal underworld, puts consumers at risk of overdose, exposes them to criminal opportunities as well as fuelling community tensions, gangs, violence and crime.

HRCA wants to see a new Psychoactive Drug Law managed by the Ministry of Health that protects human rights, promotes health education, harm reduction, and is based on science, research and expertise. A new law that will address issues arising from all drugs, including our presently legal ones.

We share the same concern - the Misuse of Drugs Act has been a costly mistake. HRCA is holding a free to attend, half day symposium, in Wellington on the 5th November detailing why we need major drug law reform and how we can move forward towards drug laws that do no harm.

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