Podcasts about drug foundation

The parents of a young man who died in a drugs related incident are backing a law change that they believe could have saved their son Jacob's life. The Drug Overdose (Assistance Protection) Legislation Bill is currently being considered by the Health Committee, with submissions closing on Tuesday 16 June. If passed into law, this bill would legally protect those who call 111 for help. That protection would apply to the caller, the person needing help and anyone who stays at the scene to help. According to the Drug Foundation, similar laws overseas have reduced opioid overdose deaths by 10-15%. In Aotearoa that could mean 19-28 lives saved every year. Jacob's mum Shelley O'Dwyer joins Jesse alongside Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm.

In episode 4 of the series, we are joined by Amy Herbert of the Alcohol & Drug Foundation who informs us about the development of illicit drug addiction that is currently affecting Australian society. She touches on some statistics related to illicit drug exposure, and the barriers to understanding and quantifying the burden of drug addiction on society. Amy highlights the main illicit drugs that present the greatest threat to Australians, as well as the risk factors that predispose certain demographics to drug use, and protective factors that lower predisposition. Amy mentions methods of recovery and their effectiveness. Interviewer: Maryam El Yassir Aired: 29/4/26

A member's bill from Green MP Kahurangi Carter has passed its first reading in Parliament. The proposed law would protect people from minor drug charges if they call emergency services for someone experiencing an overdose or bad reaction. Nick speaks to NZ Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm to find out more about the bill and its impacts. Helm says 3 Kiwis die from preventable overdoses each week, and this bill could reduce that. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's crackdown on the misuse of nitrous oxide appears to target the areas of most harm. The gas is increasingly becoming a health risk - particularly when it is inhaled in high quantities. Imports of the gas will soon need approval from the Director-General of Health, while large canisters, also known as nangs, will automatically be classified as psychoactive substances. The Drug Foundation's Hayden Eastmond-Mein says these canisters are the biggest issue. "Historically, nitrous oxide has been relatively low-harm in terms of drugs, but that was based on the kind of classic, smaller canisters that people might have seen." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 2 of Breaking Free from Addiction, Craig from the Alcohol & Drug Foundation joins us to discuss the causes and effects of alcohol addiction. He explains the psychological impact on alcohol consumption that leads to patterns of addictive behaviour. He touches on factors such as genetic components, familial environments, and wider social or cultural beliefs/misconceptions and how they exacerbate harm caused by alcohol. Craig discusses the effects of relapse on self-confidence and some strategies that assist in sidestepping those risks. Interviewer: Shakeel Sahib Date aired: 15/4/26

In just over a week, roadside drug testing of drivers will begin in Wellington, with the aim to roll it out nationwide by mid-2026. So how will it work? And how reliable will this testing be? Hayden Eastmond-Mein from the Drug Foundation joined Francesca Rudkin to guide her through what the tests involve and why they've still got concerns about the approach. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couple of weeks ago we spoke to the Drug Foundation after the Government announced that Police will begin roadside drug driving tests. Police will test for four types of drugs - cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and meth - using an oral-fluid testing device. As more information about the testing device has been released, so has commentary. While everyone can agree we don't want impaired drivers on our roads, questions have been raised about the decision to test for the presence of drugs rather than impairment. University of Otago Professor Joseph Boden talks to Jesse.

December will see police beginning roadside drug driving testing in Wellington before rolling it out to the rest of the country. According to Transport Minister Chris Bishop "around 30% of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug". We wanted to know what the testing will look like ... how it works and how reliable it will be. Here to share his thoughts is Hayden Eastmond-Mein from the Drug Foundation.

There's concerns the Government's new roadside drug tests may not have the nuances of alcohol tests. From December, police across Wellington can do random roadside saliva tests - screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine. The rollout will begin throughout the rest of the country from April. New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm joined the Afternoons team to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At least they're doing something. But I don't rate the chances of it working. That's how I'm feeling about the Government's declaration of war on methamphetamine, with this new plan that will see spy agencies working with customs and the defence force to target ships carrying drugs in the Pacific. It's also going to work with ports and the shipping industry. The feature of the plan that I like most is this $30 million increase in funding for addiction services. Because, as the Drug Foundation is saying, we can't arrest our way out of the meth problem. Sarah Helm is executive director and she says help for people caught up in meth addiction has been significantly under-funded for many years. She says: “It's clear to everyone that we can't arrest our way out of this issue. Spending on treatment and harm reduction is also a better investment of taxpayer money than criminalising people, because it results in savings downstream in health, justice and social costs.” And we know about the cost - $19.4 million a week. That's what the National Drug Intelligence Bureau estimates is the value of the harm caused by methamphetamine use every week in New Zealand. That's the cost of things like people ending up in hospital, dying - all the social harm. Just under $20 million a week. The Government's plan also includes a four-year advertising campaign to educate people about the dangers of meth use. Which I'm not convinced will be effective. Because everyone knows how bad meth is already - and still we're using more of it than we ever have. It's been about 25 years since methamphetamine - as we know it - really took off in New Zealand. And it's turned out to be a great market for the suppliers. Some numbers I've seen the police refer to is how someone can bring-in 600 kilos of the stuff for a couple of million dollars, sell it and make a profit of around $120 million. So who is going to turn their back on that kind of opportunity? But, even though I don't see it changing things greatly, good on the Government for trying something. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's drug laws are in the spotlight again and with good reason. Despite record police busts, we're still seeing record methamphetamine use, we're seeing increasingly dangerous street drugs, and rising overdose deaths, three a week from drug overdoses. There have been calls to overhaul the 50-year-old Misuse of Drugs Act and the call comes from a number of different organisations. The Drug Foundation wants drug use decriminalised and the law rewritten to make it a health issue, not a criminal issue, and they have been very consistent in their approach on this. Also this week we had a survey from the Helen Clark Foundation conducted by the University a University of Otago researcher, Rose Crossin. And that found that half of New Zealanders support shifting investment from policing to health. Rose Crossin told the Elephant News show right now two-thirds of what we spend on drugs goes to law enforcement. And the people surveyed would prefer that money to go on to prevention, treatment and harm reduction. The report shows that just 1.4% of the annual drug budget is for harm reduction. 1.4%. That does rise to 30% when you look at treatment and prevention, but it's still when you see the vast majority going towards policing, surely it should be flipped on its head. Green's co-leader Chloe Swarbrick also raised the issue, again, launching an online platform yesterday, which asked for public suggestions on better drug regulation, in particular cannabis, as a step towards legalisation. Now, with the use of medicinal cannabis, we haven't seen a huge upswing in the numbers of people taking cannabis. I venture there are some of you who have used medicinal cannabis, found it works for you. You've never used cannabis before, but when the opportunity came available for you to use it, you did so, and found it didn't turn you into a raging drug addict lifting your skirt on the streets to pay for your habit. And in fact, helped you with pain, helped you with sleeplessness, whatever it is that medicinal cannabis is supposed to do. So certainly, there needs to be more opportunity for people to rehab, for those who've tried drugs, found it doesn't work for them and need to get off it. There are clinics around the country, but hey, good luck getting into the taxpayer funded ones. Pretty much it seems you have to be court ordered before you can get into those rehab clinics. If you go private, prices start from around $17,000 for a couple of weeks to a month. Most 30-day residential rehabs charge more than $20,000. And you can have ones with all the bells and whistles and the nice sheets and the nice meals and the yoga instructor. But who the hell can pay for that? The trust fund babies, sure. Wealthy business people, sure. But where do you go if you're an average, ordinary, everyday Kiwi who tried drugs, be it meth or coke or booze, and thought you could handle it, and found that the monkey on your back was the one in charge, you need to get off. You have to. - you're going to lose your family, you're going to lose your soul. How do you step out of your life for a month? How do you find the 30-odd thousand for the month? How do you re-enter your life and stay clean? Policing plays an important role in thwarting people who make money from peddling misery. Having drugs criminalised stops some people from using them. I know that when I was growing up in the media,and I really was, 17,18, 19 years old, a big reason I didn't use drugs that were around, the cocaine and the cannabis, was that I would lose my job. If I was found in possession of any of these drugs, I would lose my job. I would have a criminal offence against my name, so the legalised drug, booze, became my drug of choice. So I understand how having drug use criminalised can be useful in stopping people starting. Bbt surely reducing demand is a really vital part of the process as well. People choosing not to use alcohol and other drugs will have a much bigger impact than the occasional high-profile bust. And surely then making drugs just another product with all the health and safety regulations around the production of these drugs, having taxes applied at source, turning it into just another commodity would be the most effective of all at emasculating the gangs and the cartels? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Cindy Mitchener and David Downs. First up, has the first concrete step in peace in Gaza been reached, or is this yet another serving of false hope? Israel and Hamas have signed off on a first phase of a US-devised Gaza deal. Journalist Selwyn Manning unpacks it with the panel. Then, The Drug Foundation has published a new report arguing that decriminalisation of all drugs would be the best way to reduce harm. Executive director Sarah Helm explains.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 9 October 2025, huge development for Gaza. Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal. The Maori Party announced a reset on the same day another haka disrupts Parliament proceedings. Former Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell speaks with Heather about the party's direction. The Drug Foundation wants to decriminalise all drugs - but would it really solve our issues with rising meth and cocaine use? Plus, the Huddle debates whether the Maori Party can make itself look like a responsible coalition partner to Labour and the Greens. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says it has no intention of decriminalising drug use, despite a confronting new report. The Drug Foundation paper suggest the Misuse of Drugs Act has compounded harm - and needs overhauling. But Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says change isn't on the agenda this term. NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm joined the Afternoons team to explain further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing support for a call to decriminalise drugs in order to reduce harm. The Drug Foundation's released a report calling drug laws of the past 50 years a 'colossal failure'. It is pushing for decriminalising use - and more investment in health and addiction services. Victoria University criminology professor Fiona Hutton says the status quo isn't working. "Things like drug overdoses are rising, addiction hasn't really been properly addressed, things like methamphetamine use are causing real harm in our communities." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I support the NZ Drug Foundation's push to decriminalise drug use and drug possession. The key point here is “use” and “possession”. It's not saying let the dealers and manufacturers away with it, it's saying we need to take a much more compassionate approach and treat drug users as people in need of help, instead of treating them as criminals. I'm picking your response will probably be determined by your exposure to drugs or experience with drugs. By that I mean whether your life has been affected in any way. I reckon that if someone close to me got hooked on meth, for example, then I'd definitely be wanting the law to take a more compassionate view. Because I know that I wouldn't see them as criminals, I'd see them as someone needing help. Whereas if my life was impacted negatively in any way by a meth head —for example, if someone high on meth had attacked me in the street or broken into my home— then I might not be quite so compassionate. But if I listen to what the Drug Foundation has to say, then maybe a more compassionate approach would mean less drug addicts attacking people in the street and less drug addicts committing crimes to get money for their drugs. Because here's what it says about that in its report: It says we should decriminalise personal possession and use of drugs —including drug utensils— because evidence from overseas shows that a system where people get help —and aren't treated as criminals— even when they continue using their drug of choice... it says there is evidence that it works. In Switzerland for example, where it has what's called “heroin-assisted treatments”, less people have died from overdoses and there is less drug-related crime. Another example the foundation gives in its report is Canada, where there are signs that its “safer supply programmes” are reducing the number of drug overdoses and helping drug users lead more stable lives. So why wouldn't you give it a go? But it wants it done in parallel with a whole lot of money being poured into health and harm reduction services. Which, no matter what your views on our drug laws are, is a no-brainer. You'll remember how, late last year, it was revealed that cocaine use in New Zealand is at an all-time high and methamphetamine consumption has doubled. And with people using more cocaine and meth, they're at much greater risk of things like psychosis and heart issues. So, either way, there's going to be some sort of financial burden on the health system at some point, isn't there? So why not turn things on their head? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Drug Foundation has called for decriminalisation of all drug use. Director Sarah Helm spoke to Corin Dann.

Today, Erik sits down with Lois Robbins, founder of WATSKIN—an elevated UPF sunwear brand dedicated to empowering women to enjoy the sun with confidence, without compromising style. After experiencing a skin cancer scare, Lois launched WATSKIN and has since turned it into a household name, revolutionizing UPF clothing to be both chic and sexy. Erik and Lois discuss her journey from diagnosis to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind the brand, behind-the-scenes stories from Lois' acting career, the meaning behind the name WATSKIN, challenges she's faced along the way, and much more. More about Lois Robbins: Lois is also quite the accomplished actress and producer, best known for her roles in One Life to Live, Loving, Ryan's Hope, and All My Children She is currently in the play, Other Desert Cities at Coachella Valley repertory. Robbins is also actively involved in philanthropic work with the Melanoma Research Alliance, Evelyn H. Lauder's Breast Cancer Center, the Dubin Breast Center, Alzheimer's Drug Foundation, and the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Social Handles: https://www.instagram.com/loisrobbins21/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/watskinofficial/?hl=en Website: https://www.loisrobbins.com/ https://www.watskinsunwear.com/   Is there a guest you want Equalman to interview on the podcast? Do you have any questions you wish you could ask an expert? Send an email to our team: Equalman@equalman.com   5x #1 Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman has performed in over 55 countries and reached over 50 million people this past decade. He was voted the 2nd Most Likable Author in the World behind Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling.   Have Erik speak at your conference: eq@equalman.com   Motivational Speaker | Erik Qualman has inspired audiences at FedEx, Chase, ADP, Huawei, Starbucks, Godiva, FBI, Google, and many more on Focus and Digital Leadership.   Learn more at https://equalman.com

Almost three New Zealanders die from preventable drug overdoses every week. That is twice the number of people that die from drowning. New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm said that the number of overdoses highlights New Zealand's shortcomings on tackling substance abuse. 'We're losing so many New Zealanders to preventable overdose, and we have very little little in place to prevent overdoses' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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A new report from the Drug Foundation highlights that in 2023 and 2024, 3.1 percent of adults reported taking psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and ketamine. In 2017 and 2018 only 1.3 percent of adults reported taking psychedelics - meaning use has more than doubled. Drug Foundation Director Sarah Helm spoke to Corin Dann.

Drug overdose deaths have almost doubled in less than a decade and at the same time, the number of people accessing specialist help is trending downward. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission found 188 people died from an overdose in 2023. That's more than half the road toll, and more than twice the number of drowning deaths. Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm told Ryan Bridge we lose three New Zealanders every week to accidental and preventable drug overdose. She says at the same time there's been a decline in access to addiction services. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Drug Foundation says the country barely invests anything into helping and supporting people with meth-addiction. Discharges from public hospitals suggest meth-use has increased four-fold over the past decade. Wastewater testing last year showed a doubling in meth use. Drug Foundation Chief Executive Sarah Helm told Mike Hosking a lot more could be done, especially with knowledge from new research. She says about half of people using illicit substances have ADHD, which could help prevent drug-use if treated. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hayden from the Drug Foundation chats mushrooms - just in time for Autumn! Thanks to The Level!

Hayden recaps 2024/2025 so far and low-levels of adulteration, plus the ongoing positive impacts of drug education and checking. They'll be at Laneway next week too! Thanks to The Level and The Drug Foundation Aotearoa.

New wastewater testing results show there has been a significant rise in methamphetamine and cocaine consumption over the past few months. Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm spoke to Corin Dann.

The Drug Foundation wants urgent action, with meth and cocaine consumption reaching record levels. Police wastewater testing between June and September reveals levels of both drugs were at the highest volumes recorded since the programme began six years ago. Chief Executive Sarah Helm says harm reduction, addiction and acute healthcare services all need to be prepared for an increase in need. She told Heather du Plessis-Allan they've been hearing anecdotally that there hasn't been a growth in the number of people consuming the drugs – meaning there's potentially a small number of people consuming a lot more of it. Helm says they're really concerned we'll be seeing a very acute harm, with hospitalisations, psychosis, heart health issues, and a growth in addiction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just less than two weeks ago, two new drug use surveys have been released, showing significant increases in drug use and availability, especially cocaine. In the past five years, drug prices have continued to fall and in turn use for some substances have almost doubled. The nearly fifty-year-old drug law is outdated and has resulted in greater supply and addiction. The government's current approach of infrequent drug busts and supply restrictions are ineffective at preventing that. Sasha spoke to The New Zealand Drug Foundations Executive Director, Sarah Helm, about the new survey results and issues surrounding safe use.

Mental health campaigner Mike King comments that  "Alcohol is the solution for people with mental health issues" are being widely condemned by those who work with drugs and alcohol addiction. The founder of Gumboot Friday and I Am Hope Charity, which recently received $24 million dollars in Government funding, made the comments during a Newstalk ZB interview yesterday.  He was responding to a move by police to block a suicide prevention charity getting a liquor licence for a fundraiser in Dunedin. Well, a New Zealand study which analysed coronial data over 13 years to 2020 concluded that "Acute alcohol use was identified in approximately a quarter of suicides" in this country, while global data across 33 studies found alcohol has been found to be associated with a 94% increase in the risk of suicide.  The New Zealand Drug Foundation Sarah Helm spoke to Lisa Owen. 

We've all seen the memes – mums and their wine, like it's the ultimate parenting hack. But is it really that cute? In this episode, Kee and Kelly get real about their own relationship with alcohol and unpack the impact of “mummy wine culture.” From casual drinks to deeper conversations around self-care and coping, they explore how it affects their lives and what's really behind the jokes. LINKS: Wine Didn't Make Me A Better Mom - Kelley Manley Night Road - Kristin Hannah RESOURCES: National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015Alcohol and Drug Foundation: 1300 858 584Alcoholics Anonymous: 1300 222 222Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636If you're concerned about a loved one or family member's drinking, contact the Parent and Family Drug Support Line: (08) 9442 5000 or 1800 653 203 HOSTS & PRODUCERS Kelly McCarren ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kelly_mccarren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kee Reece ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@keereece⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AUDIO PRODUCTION Madeline Joannou - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mylk Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

The government is promising to clamp down on the sale of nitrous oxide, but the New Zealand Drug Foundation would like to see them ensure naloxone is widely available as well. Substance Abuse Counselor at the Yorktown High School in Virginia Jenny Sexton spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Ant is joined by beloved TV host, podcaster and mental health advocate, Osher Günsberg this week. Osher opens up about his journey from addiction to sobriety, coping with 'inescapable' anxiety, and the decision he made that altered the course of his life.  CW: This episode contains discussions of mental ill-health and substance abuse. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website lifeline.org.au. Drug and alcohol support can be found with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation at adf.org.au or on their hotline 1800 250 015. LINKS Learn more about Osher Günsberg at oshergunsberg.com Follow Osher on Instagram @osher_gunsberg Osher's memoir, Back After the Break can be purchased here Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial. If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting CREDITSHost: Ant MiddletonEditor: Adrian WaltonExecutive Producer: Anna Henvest Managing Producer: Elle Beattie Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 14 August 2024 -a huge u-turn from the Reserve Bank with a cut to the Official Cash Rate today. Former Reserve Bank economist Michael Reddell and ASB boss Vittoria Short speak to Heather about the move. Drug Foundation boss Sarah Helm tells Heather what we know about the meth lollies that were handed out in Auckland mission food packages. The Huddle debates what's going on at Health NZ after commissioner Lester Levy publicly rebuked a suggestion by staff to make doctors and nurses redundant. Plus, why did Barry Soper drop out of his police officer course? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's unclear how far meth-laced lollies could have been taken across Auckland. The Rinda brand pineapple lollies were donated to Auckland City Mission, and given out in food parcels. Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says each lolly has about 300 doses of meth. She says even a single suck is dangerous. "There's still a range of effects, so you're likely to still feel an effect - possibly still needing to seek medical attention." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you sober curious? We've got some questions to ask yourself to help you interrogate your relationship with alcohol, inspired by tips from Kate Bee of The Sober School. If this episode has raised any issues for you, help is available from The Alcohol and Drug Foundation here: https://adf.org.au/ LINKS See more from The Sober School here Follow @novapodcastsofficial on Instagram CREDITS Host: Casey Donovan @caseydonovan88 Writer: Amy Molloy @amymolloy Producer: Adair SheppardEditor: Adrian Walton  Listen to more great podcasts at novapodcasts.com.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a Text Message.Sarah and The Shrub delve into the history, pharmacology, and brewing of the psychoactive beverage Kava.*** - “Kava” (Wikipedia). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava- “Lapita Culture” (Wikipedia). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapita_culture- “Kavalactone” (Wikipedia). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kavalactone- “Kava.” Alcohol and Drug Foundation, 06 June 2024.  https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/kava/- “Kava - Uses, Side Effects, and More.” WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-872/kava- “Kava.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.  https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kava***ig: @shrubbish_podemail: shrubbishpodcast@gmail.comWhile I want to bring levity to the table, this podcast does contain descriptions of substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

The Drug Foundation says nearly one in five drugs it checked last year were not what people thought they paid for. The foundation says its drug-checking services are testing fifty percent more drugs compared to last year, allowing more and more people to check what's in their drugs and letting them know how to stay safe. Cocaine and methamphetamine are the most likely to be something different to what they were sold as. Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There's been a 93 percent rise in cocaine use in the 2022-to-23 period according to the Drug Foundation. Meanwhile, seizures by police and customs as large as three tonnes have become more common over the last two years. Customs intelligence manager Bruce Berry spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

An increase in international cocaine production has spiked use of the drug on New Zealand shores. The Drug Use in Aotearoa report shows use grew by 93 percent over 2022 and 2023, compared to the previous three years' average. Its use is still relatively uncommon compared to other countries, with 1.3 percent of adults here using it in the past year. Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says the UN warned that more countries could expect use of the drug to skyrocket. "1.3 percent of adults is nothing to be sneezed at, it's more than the number of people who used methamphetamine last year, for example." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Usage of more common drugs like MDMA and methamphetamine have gone down slightly, according to the Drug Foundation's latest report.

A new report can reveal cocaine use has increased by 93 percent in the past year. The Drug Foundation has drawn from wastewater testing to paint a picture of drug use across the country for the 2022 to 2023 period. It found 1.3 percent of adults used cocaine, compared to just 0.6 percent three years prior. Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm says while it's worth noting that the increase comes off of a low baseline, it signals that the increasing global production of cocaine is bearing down here. Sarah Helm speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

A warning is out that an opioid even more potent than fentanyl is circulating the country. The Drug Foundation says Nitazenes, a family of synthetic opioids, were first reported in Aotearoa in October last year. Kathryn speaks to Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm and psychiatrist and addiction specialist Sam McBride.

Are you stuck in a routine when it comes to drinking? Do you drink on auto-pilot? Do you ever feel shame when drinking? It might be time to explore the Sober Curiosity movement. In this episode we're sharing tips from Kate Bee, from The Sober School. If this episode has raised any issues for you, help is available from The Alcohol and Drug Foundation here: https://adf.org.au/ LINKS See more from The Sober School here Follow @thespace_podcast on Instagram    Watch @thespace_podcast on TikTok   Follow @novapodcastsofficial on Instagram    CREDITS Host: Casey Donovan @caseydonovan88 Writer: Amy Molloy @amymolloy Executive Producer: Anna HenvestEditor: Adrian Walton  Listen to more great podcasts at novapodcasts.com.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Drug Foundation says it's found a dangerous new drug being sold as LSD.  It's a hallucinogen called 25B-NBOH - and similar synthetic drugs have caused deaths in New Zealand and internationally.  The Drug Foundation's chief executive, Sarah Helm, spoke to Jimmy Ellingham.

For some ignorance and hate is all they are willing to accept into their lives. That is the only way that a sane person can reason with the hate crime that was committed against Franklin "Ken" Kennedy Eaton Jr. while his daughter lay asleep in the next room. CONTENT WARNING: Todays case involves a hate crime and graphic violence. If you or someone you know needs help please contact: Crime Victims. National Center for Victims of Crime. Phone: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846) Be sure to follow us at: Twitter: @rarwpodcast Instagram: @rarwpodcast Contact us at: E-mail: redrumandredwinepodcast@gmail.com All music written and produced by: Savasas savasas | Free Listening on SoundCloud Resources: Amyl nitrite. Amyl Nitrite - Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/amyl-nitrite/ Delafosse, K. (2022, November 7). Couple who exploited gay men stabbed Iowa teacher to death while daughter slept in Next room. Iowa News. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://localtoday.news/ia/couple-who-exploited-gay-men-stabbed-iowa-teacher-to-death-while-daughter-slept-in-next-room-43533.html HABHAB, J., & SACKETT, J. (dissenting). (1990, March 27). State v. Green. Legal research tools from Casetext. Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://casetext.com/case/state-v-green-514 Healing hearts & opening minds. The Ken Eaton Foundation || Hate Crime Support Groups, Crimes against Gays, Valentines for Victims, Victims Advocate Groups, Victims Advocate Speaker, Victim Advocate Foundations, Des Moines Iowa Foundations. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2022, from https://healingheartsandopeningminds.org/

Festival-goers are being warned to get their drugs tested before they head to gigs this summer. The Drug Foundation says nearly a quarter of the "highs" circulating at festivals aren't what they claim to be. But despite testing being legal for two years now, most major festivals have missed out on the service because the organisations running it don't have enough kit or capacity. Lauren Crimp has been checking out the scene.  

The Health Minister will get official advice on a bunch of new recommendations for reducing methamphetamine harm before deciding whether to adopt any of them. A report released by the Helen Clark and Drug Foundation advocates for a health-based approach that includes fully decriminalising possession of small quantities of any drug, including meth, a pilot where addicts are given a substitute stimulant or methamphetamine in tightly controlled circumstances if two attempts at rehab have not worked, and providing incentives for clear drug tests. The report concludes its approach may surprise some, but the alternative has failed to address meth harm. Lisa Owen asks Health Minister Andrew Little if the government is prepared to decriminalise meth.

The NZ Drug Foundation is proposing a trial of an overdose prevention centre in central Auckland, providing a safe, medically-supervised setting for people who are taking drugs. The three year pilot programme would also provide basic health, harm reduction and support services. The Drug Foundation hopes it will take drug use off the streets, reduce harm and save lives. Its main focus will be those experiencing homelessness, and people who are taking synthetic cannabinoids, a drug which was caused at least 51 deaths between 2016 and 2020. Kathryn speaks to Sarah Helm, executive director of the Drug Foundation.

Auckland CBD could soon be a safe haven for homeless at risk of overdosing, but some are unconvinced an overdose prevention centre will make a difference. The Drug Foundation unveiled the plan at the City Mission today, with the proposal now with government ministers for approval and licencing. The Foundation says harmful drugs, like Fentanyl, could reach our shores and take hold of those living on Auckland's streets. But some who work on the coal face doubt the city's homeless will flock to the centre. Here's Nick Truebridge and cameraman Nick Monro.

The Drug Foundation is warning New Zealand is grossly underprepared to respond to a widespread fentanyl outbreak with a limited supply of the life-saving drug Naloxone.