An archive of recent news articles on the topic of alcohol and drugs.
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Agency says World Cup booze licence move 'risky'
29th July 2010
Plans to fast-track liquor licences for the Rugby World Cup are "risky and unwise" because of New zealand's binge drinking culture, and show a "callous disregard" for public health and safety in favour of the alcohol industry, the Government was told yesterday. The Government administration select committee yesterday heard submissions on the Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Bill which would make it easier to grant urgent approvals for temporary activities and facilities during the tournament.
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Call for clearer guidelines on alcohol intake during pregnancy
29th July 2010
AUSTRALIAN guidelines on alcohol intake during pregnancy are inconsistent and research is urgently needed to establish the effect of low to moderate drinking on the unborn child, researchers say. In an article published in the Medical Journal of Australia yesterday, researchers found about 80 per cent of women drink alcohol during pregnancy - a figure that has remained steady despite changes in government guidelines.
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Joyce concedes lower limit could save lives
28th July 2010
Transport Minister Steven Joyce has conceded that reducing the legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers could save lives, prevent injuries and save millions of dollars in social costs. But he said the Government's road safety package - announced Monday - already includes measures that will achieve the same ends, including a zero limit for repeat drink-drivers and drivers under 20. The Ministry of Transport estimates that reducing the blood-alcohol limit to 0.05g and increasing public awareness and enforcement could save up to 33 lives, prevent up to 680 injuries and save between $111 million and $238 million every year.
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Goff calls for select committee on drink-drive limit
28th July 2010
A decision on lowering the drink-drive limit should go to a select committee, Labour leader Phil Goff says. The Government yesterday deferred a decision on whether to lower the limit for two years, while research is conducted, though it did announce a zero drink drive limit for recidivist drink drivers and drivers aged under 20 from early next year.
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Outcry as drink-drive limit is retained
27th July 2010
The Government's decision to shelve plans to lower the drink-driving limit for adults and instead do more research has been attacked as a gutless act that will leave it with "blood on its hands". Alcohol health groups yesterday reacted with anger at the Government's plans to leave the limit at 0.08g of alcohol per 100ml of blood.But it is imposing a zero-tolerance policy for motorists under 20 and repeat drink-drivers.
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Net closes around biggest P ring
27th July 2010
Nearly $1 million in cash and a prized sports car have been seized from the man alleged to sit at the top of an organised crime ring importing and distributing P around New Zealand. When police raided the suburban North Shore home of Feng Chih Hsu, they found a gun cache of high-powered weapons - including sniper rifles in suitcases - and $5.5 million of methamphetamine.
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Liquor licence infuriates residents
22nd July 2010
Residents of one of Auckland's poorest suburbs are threatening to stage a second protest march after a liquor licence for a new bottle shop was "sneaked" through. The licence for a former fruit and vegetable store at 140 Finlayson Ave, Clendon, has gone to a local businessman whose right to hold a liquor licence was suspended for two years after he sold alcohol to a minor at a superette in Wiri in January 2008.
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'Legal highs': the lowdown on a law enforcer's nightmare
22nd July 2010
Internet sellers of illicit substances and so-called "legal highs" are undercutting street drug dealers by mailing their wares direct to homes, circumventing drug controls. Australian Customs and Border protection is battling to stay abreast of the online trade and said Australian customers - which included children - may be unwittingly breaking the law as drugs marketed by online pharmacies as "legal highs" contain ingredients that are illegal to import into Australia.
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Police face surge in armed P dealers
21st July 2010
The head of the Police Association says the number of P dealers arming themselves has increased tenfold and is good reason for arming frontline police officers. In an opinion piece in today's Herald, Greg O'Connor says police are "well-equipped and drilled" to deal with incidents where they know weapons are involved, such as aggravated robberies or family violence, through the Armed Offenders Squad.
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Shocking impact of booze on babies
21st July 2010
Shocking impact of booze on babies STEVE DOW
July 18, 2010
Irreversible harm... a scan of the brain of a healthy six-week old (left) next to a scan of the brain of a baby of the same age who is suffering from foetal alcohol syndrome. Photo: National Drug Research Institute
AUSTRALIA has fallen behind in recognising and diagnosing ''completely preventable'' foetal alcohol syndrome and wider spectrum disorders, researchers warn. The federal government has so far failed to respond more than a year after a monograph - an extensive gathering of available studies - was submitted to the Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, recommending favourable treatments.
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