Alcohol and other Recreational Drug Issues in New Zealand

Abstract

In New Zealand as in other industrialised countries the pattern of recreational drug use reflects the pattern of availability, with use of the legal drugs alcohol and tobacco more widespread than that of illegal drugs. These two drugs have been the major focus of political activity during the past decade. In the case of tobacco, major public health advances have been achieved by means of legislative change. In contrast, changes in alcohol legislation have resulted in a liberalisation of alcohol availability, but the public health debate continues at the level of policy implementation. Relatively little public or political attention has been paid to illicit drug use during the past decade, but there are signs that this may change in the near future.