1

Do you believe all races and cultures should be equal under the law?

2

Do you believe you have the right to make informed decisions about what you do with your body?

3

Do you believe that substances sold for human consumption should be safe to buy and use?

4

Do you believe our laws should enable and support organised crime?

5

Do you believe using drugs even once makes you a criminal?

6

Do you believe the possession of drugs for personal use should be a crime?

  • 1.
  • 2.
  • 3.
  • 4.
  • 5.
  • 6.

You believe that we should reform the drug laws in New Zealand.

You believe New Zealand’s drug laws are working. Start a conversation with us on Facebook and maybe we can change your mind.

Here are the facts

Māori make up 15% of the population but 42% of the drug convictions. They are much less likely to enjoy discretion from the police. Our current laws are intrinsically racist and it’s time that we changed them.

We say

A system which convicts one racial group at twice the national average, while simultaneously denying them access to help, is inherently and systemically racist. This is shameful.

You believe all races should be equal under the law.

You don't believe all races should be equal under the law.

Maori are 15% of the population but 42% of the drug convictions. New Zealand’s drug laws propagate an inherent racism in our society. How do you feel about that?

Here are the facts

If you want to use legal recreational drugs in New Zealand, your choices are limited to alcohol and tobacco. Harmful alcohol use is estimated to cost New Zealand up to $16 billion per year, while tobacco is New Zealand’s second most harmful drug.

We say

The difference between which drugs are legal and which are prohibited is arbitrary at best. The decisions have been made by politicians with no regard to medical science or even proper legal consideration.

You believe you have the right to make informed decisions about what you do with your body.

You don't believe you have the right to make informed decisions about what you do with your body.

If you want to use any drug other than alcohol or tobacco for recreation, you’re a criminal.

Here are the facts

The estimated social cost of drug related harms and intervention in 2014/15 is $1.8 billion. Ending prohibition would make obtaining and using drugs much safer, minimising health risks and other harms.

We say

Prohibition guarantees society has no control over any aspect of illegal drug production or distribution. We need intelligent regulation to stop the public being exposed to unnecessary harm.

You believe anything sold for human consumption should be safe to buy and use.

You don’t believe anything sold for human consumption should be safe to buy and use.

Over 20 people have died from using “synthetic” cannabis in 2017. Isn’t it time the Government took control of the drugs market?

Here are the facts

Prohibition the ideal conditions for New Zealand’s gangs to financially profit. If New Zealanders paid tax on their use of illegal drugs, the Government would pull in at least $245 million in taxes every year.

We say

Why have we left control of a $1 billion plus industry in the hands of criminal enterprise? The gangs are financially incentivised to grow the number of addicts in our community, not reduce them.

You believe our laws should support and enable organised crime.

You don’t believe our laws should support and enable organised crime.

Prohibition gives gangs and organised crime the financial oxygen they need to survive. Should the gangs really control the drug market?

Here are the facts

Nearly 44% of New Zealand adults have used illegal drugs at some point in their lives. Next time you’re in a public place, check it out. Statistically, nearly half of the adults around you are criminals.

We say

People continue to be victimised and criminalised on a daily basis while our lawmakers absurdly promote prohibition as a workable solution. It’s time to implement legislation that truly minimises harm and ceases criminalising people for using drugs.

You believe using drugs even once makes you a criminal.

You don’t believe using drugs even once makes you a criminal.

The Misuse of Drugs Act was passed in 1975. If you use drugs even once you are a criminal and could be convicted and punished. Does that seem right?

Here are the facts

The greatest burden of criminal conviction for personal drug use in New Zealand is borne by people under 25. Most people will use drugs when they are young.

We say

It’s morally wrong to convict and imprison people for personal drug use. Convictions often lead to loss of access to employment, travel, credit, insurance, accommodation, family relationships, and other opportunities critical to being a contributing member of society.

You believe the possession of drugs for personal use should be a crime.

You don't believe the possession of drugs for personal use should be a crime.

Nearly 44% of New Zealanders admit to trying illegal drugs at some point in their lives. Statistically, half our country are criminals. Or are they?

The facts show that the prohibition doesn’t work. Worse, it has the opposite effect: both supply and demand are increased.

This site isn’t about promoting drugs or drug use, but driving the use of drugs underground, and prosecuting, convicting and imprisoning people for using them, is completely a moral, intellectual and societal failure.

We want a independent taskforce to reform our drug laws and for the Government to be bound by its recommendations. As a society, we need to find better ways to minimise the harm that drugs can cause.

It’s time to reform the law

The Campaign for Drug Law Reform is a small collection of concerned individuals who believe New Zealand’s current drugs laws our desperately failing our society. We are not pro drugs. We are against convicting and jailing people who use them.

If you’d like to support or remain updated by the Campaign for Drug Law Reform, we send four emails a year. Enter your email address here.

Connect with us on Facebook.

For media inquiries: media@lawreform.org.nz

We’re not asking for money.

The best way you can support the campaign is to:

Share this website
with your friends and family.

Email your MP
with our pre written email template.

What do you really think about one of the most important issues facing New Zealand?

Let’s find out.