26 Aug 2015

Govt unveils new drugs approach

6:03 pm on 26 August 2015

The Government has set out its approach to drugs for the next five years, which will target gangs in a new plan to minimise harm from alcohol and other drugs.

Drugs seized from the Mercedes last month.

Drugs seized from a major P lab last year Photo: NZ POLICE

The National Drug Policy aims to reduce the harm from the country's high level of alcohol and other drugs, which is estimated to cost about $6.5 billion a year.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne said it included implementing a government-wide action plan on tackling gangs

A plan will also be developed to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and a multi-agency early warning system to identify and monitor new drugs.

Mr Dunne said alcohol and drug issues were first and foremost health issues, so it was crucial the government's response focused on minimising harm.

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