February 18, 2022
Laws heighten Māori drug harm
A new report on drugs in New Zealand has found drugs and the enforcement of drug laws are having a disproportionate effect on Māori.
Drug Foundation chief executive Sarah Helm says the report found the rate of drug related deaths for Māori is three times that for non-Māori.
She says excessive use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco has roots in colonisation, and the way the law is enforced makes thing worse, with Māori making up almost half of drug convictions.
“Now we’re talking over 3000 people convicted for minor drug harm and drug crime according to the law possession essentially. What’s far worse, is that 62% of those sentenced to prison for drug crime is Māori as well”, she says.
Sarah Heml says Māori are more likely to want help for their drug use and less likely to receive it.