Expat Exposed is an information and community site that lays out the downside of emigrating to New Zealand, and helps potential and current expats help themselves through networking and emotional support. As a matter of policy, Expat Exposed does not run ads. While we're happy to shoulder the site costs, some people have voiced a desire to donate cash -- and we'd be jerks to refuse an offer like that. You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Yeah drugs and alcohol are a bit issue in New Zealand. But, unfortunately they are a big issue everywhere. The cost of "hard class A drugs" in New Zealand is actually relatively high and they are really very inaccessible to the majority of people at school. Drugs are a big problem in Australia. I used to work as a doctor prescribing methadone for heroin dependence in Kings Cross. There is far, far more heroin on the streets over here than in New Zealand. Don't even get me started on the situation in some Aboriginal communities.. it's a bit depressing for those who have to work in the sector. When I was in my early teens I lived in the US for a while because my father worked at a university there. In California, it was virtually cheaper to get hold