Russell has been a major supporter of our work from the start, and was a catalyst in getting traction for the issue both politically and in the media. He’s written an article for NZ Drug Foundation’s Matters of Substance about drug checking, and it’s well worth the read.
“What I’d like to see,” says Allison, “is for the law to get out of the way of this – specifically, a change to section 12 to make an exception for harm-reduction practices. It’s a small change to the Act. It’s not condoning drugs, it’s not legalising – what it’s doing is decriminalising organisers who get us in.”
“The only solution ultimately will be an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act,” agrees Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.