Drugs
More than 100 kilos of meth and guns found hidden in golf carts
Two people have been arrested after more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine and two handguns were discovered inside some golf carts' batteries - the first time firearms have been found concealed… Video, Audio
What lessons for NZ in Portugal's radical drug policy?
Dr João Goulão was instrumental in shaping Portugal's radical drug policy, which emphasises health and treatment options over the criminalisation of users. What did it take for Portugal to undertake… Audio
Complex chemicals: The trouble with detecting synthetic drugs
Psychoactive substances have been banned in New Zealand for five years, but their illicit trade is booming. Why is it so hard to determine what's in them? Forensic toxicologist Diana Kappatos is with… Audio
David Clark on Pharmac, drugs and a life’s worth
Checkpoint presenter Lisa Owen interviews Health Minister David Clark on Pharmac's funding model, why life-prolonging drugs aren't being funded, and whether it's high time for an independent review… Video, Audio
Squishy drug delivery
An octopus squeezing through a small space and a squishy ball have inspired a new way of delivering drugs through the skin that is being developed at the University of Otago. Audio
Squishy drug delivery
An octopus squeezing through a small space and a squishy ball have inspired a new way of delivering drugs through the skin that is being developed at the University of Otago.
AudioOur Changing World for 31 January 2019
How to squish drugs through the skin using nanotechnology, and keeping up with the kakapo. Audio
UK criminologist David Best on addiction recovery in prisons
David Best helped establish the UK's first recovery-focused prison, which some are looking to replicate in New Zealand. "Why should we support recovery?" he tells Kim Hill, "because recovery will lead… Audio
Paula Bennett takes on new portfolio in response to govt’s drug policy
National's deputy Paula Bennett has been given a new shadow portfolio on drug reform as part of a minor reshuffle by leader Simon Bridges. She joins Five O'clock Report to discuss the new position… Audio
A scientist's take on cannabis and legalisation
There will be a binding referendum on personal use of cannabis at 2020 election, but there has been some concern we're moving too fast ... Audio
24 doctors prescribed own drugs in last two decades
Only 24 doctors in the last two decades have faced disciplinary action for inappropariately prescribing drugs. An Auckland University research found that most doctors who faced disciplinary action… Audio
Govt cracks down on synthetic drugs
The government is re-categorising the two most common synthetic drugs as Class A, which would make their supply an offence punishable by life imprisonment. It's also boosting funding for treatment. Audio
Synthetic drug reform
The changes announced today focus on a health approach for the users of synthetic drugs, instructing police to consider treatment instead of prosecution. Audio
Too many medication errors: patient watchdog
The Health and Disability Commissioner is calling for a faster roll out electronic health records nationally to cut down the number of medication errors. Anthony Hill has just released a report… Audio
Weighing up approaches to decriminalising drugs
While Portugal's approach to decriminalising drugs may have worked, New Zealand faces a very different set of circumstances, an academic says. Video, Audio
Steve Murphy and Javier Pena - The Narcos who helped capture Pablo Escobar
Javier Pena and Steve Murphy are agents for the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In the 1990s, the pair volunteered for an assignment in Bogota, Colombia, and set out to bring down the… Audio
Record 190kg of cocaine found in banana shipment
Almost 200kg of cocaine was found tucked in duffle bags on top of bunches of bananas on a ship from Panama - heading for Auckland. As Lisa Owen reports, police are warning New Zealand is a lucrative… Video, Audio
Drugs and the Dark Net
How is New Zealand's drug trade being affected by the influence of the dark web? A team at Massey University led by Associate Professor Chris Wilkins will investigate the role that the anonymous deep… Audio
Legalising cannabis could net govt $240m in tax a year
New research shows decriminalising cannabis and introducing a regulated market would be a boost for New Zealand's economy. The Government is working through plans to hold a referendum on legalising… Video, Audio
Regulating cannabis could generate $240m in tax - report
Decriminalising cannabis and introducing a regulated market would bring significant economic benefits, according to a new report commissioned by the Drug Foundation.
