Social Work Now, Issue 32, pages 12-18
Anthropologists tell us that pre-European New Zealand was one of the few places in the world where alcoholic drinks were not developed. Alcohol and other drugs now play a significant part in contemporary New Zealand society, and heavy drinking remains firmly embedded in New Zealand culture (Marriot-Lloyd and Webb, 2003). Alcohol use is common among young people and other drug use appears to be increasing. Drug use does not necessarily mean abuse, but there appear to be no minimum ‘safe use’ norms for youth anywhere in the world (Taylor, 2004). The problems with alcohol and other drug use among young people have been cited as a key issue of concern by a number of agencies, including the police, Child, Youth and Family, Work and Income, the Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Education (Christchurch Social Policy Interagency Network, 2003).