Easy access and lower prices have seen drug use continue to increase in New Zealand.
Surveys by the Ministry of Health and Massey University both show the alarming trend.
As you can see below, the NZ Health Survey results show all the illicit drugs captured in this survey all increased in use in the last year.
– Nearly 2 in every 10 people over 15 years of age (so around 16%) used cannabis in the last 12 months, up around 2% from the year before.
– Nearly one in 20 adults (4.8%) reported using ecstasy/MDMA in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey, up from 3.6% in 2018/19.
– 2.4% of adults reported using cocaine in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey, up from 1.5% in 2018/19.
– 3.1% of adults reported using hallucinogens in 2023/24, up from 2.0% in 2018/19.
Now let’s look at some of the results of the New Zealand Drug Trends survey. Remember this is an opt-in online survey.
It shows that 70% of respondents had used cannabis within a six month period. That was more than those who stated they smoke cigarettes or vape. Those who said they drank alcohol were the only group which registered a higher result. MDMA also rated highly among respondents at 45% and cocaine shot up to 23% from 12% the year before.
Access to most drugs had became easier within the last 12 months. For example 85% of cannabis users reported that illegal cannabis was “very easy” or “easy” to get.
Prices for cannabis, LSD and methamphetamine had also decreased during the last year due to its availability. Here you can see that a point and a gram of meth decreased 23% and 36% respectively. The survey also found that daily or near daily use of meth among respondents increased compared to previous years.
And in terms of income, lower income earners were spending the most on drugs with more than 50% of respondents earning $60,000 or less per year.
Family First Staff Writers
