9. Question No. 9—Prime MinisterHon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 9—Prime Minister9. Hon PAULA BENNETT (Deputy Leader—National) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her Government's statements policies and actions?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN (Prime Minister): Yes.Hon Paula Bennett: Has she seen New Zealand Police evidence that New Zealanders consume around 16 kilograms of methamphetamine a week doing $20 million worth of social harm and what effect will the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill have on communities given that it will decriminalise personal consumption of these drugs?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: First of all the member is incorrect in her characterisation of the Misuse of Drugs Act (MODA). There is still the ability within the legislation for an individual to be prosecuted for personal use and possession. What we have proposed is to codify what the police tell us is what they do in practice which is to take a health-based approach for those who are caught with enough to be considered to be using for personal use. Evidence around the world suggests that a health-based approach is the best way to reduce the harm of drugs in our society that the member talks about. That means using drug and alcohol addiction services rather than prisons.Hon Paula Bennett: Does she agree with the New Zealand Drug Foundation and the Police Association and others who presented at the select committee this morning and who said they do not believe there will be any prosecutions for those who are using drugs?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Again as I say I've relied on the advice from the police and of course the likes of the Ministry of Justice. I've seen the Police Association's submission very recently—happy to look at the suggestions that they have made and the points they've made but again it is the police themselves who have suggested this would simply codify their practice in law and this is the House that wants to base its decisions on research and evidence. I would be very surprised if the Drug Foundation did not support that move.Simeon Brown: Is the Prime Minister concerned about the most recent report from the Coroner that says 80 people died from synthetic drugs in less than two years and is she committed to urgently addressing the supply of these drugs?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Yes. That's exactly why the misuse of drugs legislation increases dramatically the penalty for those who manufacture and supply synthetic cannabis because we are concerned about the harm it's doing. However when it comes to those who are users we do not believe that the best way to prevent their death is by arresting them and putting them in prison. Instead we believe the best way is to make sure that they get the treatment and support they need to cease their use of dangerous drugs.Simeon Brown: Will the Government support at the third reading of my member's bill today the increasing of penalties for those found guilty of supplying dangerous psychoactive substances in order to urgently make our communities safer?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: No because our bill does it in a more substantive way.Chlöe Swarbrick: Can the Prime Minister confirm that the confidence and supply agreement with the Green Party requires that this Government treat drugs as the health issues that they are and does she believe that this is a better approach to solving problems of addition than criminalisation?Rt Hon JACINDA ARDERN: Yes and all of the international evidence backs up that approach.SPEAKER: Question No. 10 Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki—[Interruption] Order!Hon Paula Bennett: Well she's arguing with me too.SPEAKER: Well you're arguing louder.Hon Paula Bennett: That could be true.SPEAKER: Yes and it's while I'm calling a member which sort of—[Interruption] Both of you should know better.