Clark DavidMISUSE OF DRUGS AMENDMENT BILLFirst ReadingHon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): I move That the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Health Committee to consider the bill. At the appropriate time I will move that the committee report the bill back to the House by 22 July 2019. The bill amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The use of synthetic drugs is a major public health problem. Since June 2017 there has been a total of 50 to 55 deaths provisionally linked to the use of two dangerous synthetic drugs 5F-ADB and AMB-FUBINACA. To address this problem we need a public health response that focuses on prevention harm reduction and early intervention. This bill makes three key changes. It will classify AMB-FUBINACA and 5F-ADB as class A drugs. It will reaffirm the existing police discretion and specify that when considering whether a prosecution is required in the public interest for drug possession and use consideration should be given to whether a therapeutic approach would be more beneficial. This discretion exists for all drug offences. It will enable temporary drug class orders to be issued to better control emerging and potentially harmful substances. This bill provides immediate measures to reduce the supply of drugs in New Zealand right now. Classification of AMB-FUBINACA and 5F-ADB gives police and customs greater search and seizure powers meaning that they will be better able to disrupt supply and reduce the availability of these drugs to people who use them. Police already use their discretion when deciding whether to prosecute for personal possession and use drug offences. The bill reaffirms this approach which is consistent with current operational policy and is supported by the police. This amendment aligns with the Government's intent to treat drug use as a health issue and help people stop their drug use. The synthetic drug market is rapidly evolving with new drugs constantly emerging. Temporary drug class orders mean that we will be able to respond more appropriately and more quickly to potentially harmful new synthetic drugs. Temporary class drug orders are substantially similar to a previous provision the temporary class drug notices which operated well for several years prior to the passing of the Psychoactive Substances Act. The bill will ensure that enforcement powers and penalties are focused on those who import manufacture and supply dangerous drugs and not the people who use the drugs themselves. We want to make sure that those who are in the web of addiction are supported to give up the drugs that they are dependent upon. The report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction has recommended reforming drug policy and laws with a focus on minimising harm and promoting health while increasing addiction services. Our response is consistent with these recommendations ensuring that people aren't unnecessarily criminalised for using drugs and instead can access the health and social support services that they need. We've seen too many drug-related deaths and hospitalisations over the last few years. Action is needed to prevent and reduce further drug-related harm. In closing I want to thank Jenny Marcroft and Darroch Ball the respective health and justice spokespersons for New Zealand First and Chlöe Swarbrick spokesperson on drug law reform for the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. They've been highly willing and constructive contributors to this bill and the bill is consistent with both of their parties' coalition and confidence and supply agreements with the Labour Party of New Zealand. This bill is important as we tackle drugs which have caused deaths and harm in our community. It is a response that we need to progress urgently but also thoroughly to ensure that the war on drugs approach which has failed our communities and seen too many die is not allowed to continue and that instead we continue with an approach that gets tough on the suppliers of these drugs and puts them in face of the full force of the law but also treats compassionately those who are caught in the web of addiction to ensure they are given the support they need to beat the drugs that are bringing them down. I commend this bill to the House.