WEBINAR: Beyond the war on drugs: Reducing harm to New Zealanders

16 March 2026 at 12:00, online webinar

For over 50 years, countries have largely been following a prohibition response to drugs with the idea that a ‘drug-free world’ is possible. Despite this, the global drug supply continues to increase, and become more volatile. Harm reduction takes a different approach, and aims to minimise the negative health and social consequences of drug use, without necessarily requiring that people are abstinent. The principles of harm reduction focus on upholding the rights of people who use drugs, and ensures they have a real voice in programmes designed to support them. This includes programmes like safer supply, overdose prevention, drug checking, and provision of sterile drug use equipment.

In this public webinar we will discuss the status of harm reduction, and consider what would be needed to take a harm reduction approach to drugs in New Zealand.

Speakers:

Dr. Rose Crossin - Rose is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health, at the University of Otago (Christchurch). Her research is on understanding and preventing drug harm, and how harm data can inform evidence-based drug policy. She recently completed a project with the Helen Clark Foundation on drug policy funding in New Zealand.

Sarah Helm - Sarah (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha & Pākehā), is the Executive Director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri. Sarah has worked in senior leadership roles in organisations spanning health, youth, social and environmental issues. Sarah’s formal training is in journalism, health promotion and health service management. She brings her own lived experience of a range of life challenges and identities relevant to the communities the Drug Foundation serves.

Rt Hon Helen Clark - Helen joined the Global Commission on Drug Policy in 2017 and became Chair of its Steering Committee in 2020. She served three terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand, being the first woman elected to this position. After her time as Prime Minister she became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program and Chair of the United Nations Development Group, the first woman to assume these positions. Helen is the patron of the Helen Clark Foundation.