The National Drug Policy 2007–2012 sets out the Government’s policy for tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drugs within a single framework. It does this by establishing the goals, objectives and principles which will guide drug policy and intersectoral decision-making about the best way to address the harms caused by drug use, and identifies the population groups that require special attention.
The key goal of the National Drug Policy is to minimise the social, economic and health harms of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
Purpose
The overarching goal of the National Drug Policy is to prevent and reduce the health, social and economic harms that are linked to tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drug use.
The following objectives have been identified for the second National Drug Policy to achieve the overarching goal:
- to prevent or delay the uptake of tobacco, alcohol, illegal and other drug use,particularly in Māori, Pacific peoples and young people
- to reduce the harm caused by tobacco by reducing the prevalence of tobacco smoking, consumption of tobacco products and exposure to second-hand smoke
- to reduce harm to individuals, families and communities from the risky consumption of alcohol
- to prevent or reduce the supply and use of illegal drugs and other harmful drug use
- to make families and communities safer by reducing the irresponsible and unlawful use of drugs
- to reduce the cost of drug misuse to individuals, society and government.
Government agencies will incorporate these objectives into the planning and prioritising of their drug policy work.