Chris Wilkins
Gangs making hundreds of millions in illegal drug market research finds
Gangs are making hundreds-of-millions of dollars in profit by dominating the illegal drugs market in New Zealand.
The latest research from the country's drug trends survey of 13,000 people shows… Audio
Methamphetamine use in New Zealand at all time high
Methamphetamine use has significantly increased in New Zealand since the Covid-19 lockdown last August, and remains high. Dr Chris Wilkins, a drug policy researcher at Massey University explains why… Audio
'Radical change': The Northland meth rehab programme that's proven to work
An innovative meth harm reduction programme is transforming lives in Northland - why hasn't it been rolled out across the country yet? Audio
Meth still number one drug in NZ courts
Methamphetamine remains the number one drug cited in the country's courts - with more than 8,000 charges laid in the last financial year.
The annual release of Ministry of Justice figures also say… Audio
National announces a crackdown on meth
The National Party is promising to roll out an intensive rehab programme for meth addicts if elected in October, as well as cracking down on drug smugglers.
Judith Collins has spent the morning… Audio
Coronavirus: Addictions not taking a break during lockdown
Just because New Zealanders are in lockdown doesn't mean their addictions are too.
Some experts are calling on people to use the time to reassess their use of both legal and illegal substances and… Audio
Experts worry about fall in cost of meth
Researchers are worried a fall in the cost of methamphetamine will lead to more people using the drug. A new study out today shows the cost of methamphetamine -- commonly called P -- is selling at a… Audio
Synthetics NZ's deadliest recreational drug
70 Deaths in two years have been blamed on synthetic cannabis. Will making cannabis legal dampen demand for the synthetic drugs? Audio
Referendum: the details
The Government has announced the details for the 2020 cannabis referendum, with voters facing a simple yes/no question based on draft legislation. Audio
Meth-related mental health admissions spike in Waikato
Methamphetamine-related admissions to mental health services in Waikato have more than doubled in the past five years. Police, doctors and researchers report the region is awash with the drug and… Audio
Deadlock over Brexit 'plan B'
British Prime Minister Theresa May is continuing her last-minute scramble to shape Britain's exit from the European Union. The British parliament is expected to debate and vote on the Prime Minister's… Audio
Drugs and the Dark Net
How is New Zealand's drug trade being affected by the influence of the dark web? A team at Massey University led by Associate Professor Chris Wilkins will investigate the role that the anonymous deep… Audio
Cannabis-related arrests lowest ever in NZ
Fewer people than ever are being arrested for using or possessing cannabis. The number of arrests for cannabis use dropped by 70-percent in the 20 years to 2014. A leading drug researcher at Massey… Audio
Calls for national wastewater testing after meth use revealed
A wastewater study's revealed Auckland's meth problems to be significant highly than many European cities. The Massey led study analysed a week of daily wastewater samples from two Auckland and eight… Audio
More on meth
The discussion continues around the methamphetamine crisis, following yesterday's news that high school students were given a pamphlet entitled "10 ways to keep well if using meth". Audio
NZ 'awash' with imported meth - report
A new study by Massey University shows a sharp rise in the use of imported crystal methamphetamine. It says the drug, commonly called P, is being made on an industrial scale in China and South East… Audio
Meth easier to buy than cannabis in NZ - new study
A new study shows New Zealanders can buy methamphetamine far more easily than cannabis. Initial findings from the country's first online Drug Trends Survey found a third of meth users were able to buy… Audio
New online drug survey launched: Chris Wilkins
Testing for drug levels in waterways is about to be trialled in the regions, following a pilot programme in Auckland. Analysis of Auckland's wastewater between May and July 2014 found methamphetamine… Audio
Systems needed to protect synthetic cannabis users
Eight synthetic cannabis-related deaths have now been reported. Massey University drug researcher, associate professor Christopher Wilkins joins us. Audio
How to set up a regulated Cannabis Industry
Professor Chris Wilkins, Drugs Team Leader Massey University, has just released a model for the regulation of legal recreational cannabis. He's just presented his ideas in Denmark at the International… Audio