Using an Outcome-Based Framework to Analyse Drug Policies upon Methamphetamine
Markets: A Comparison of New Zealand and the United States (Oregon)
Prepared by Matthew Nice | July 2007 with funding from the sponsors
of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy
Matt Nice is the Principal Analyst for Multnomah
County's Department of County Management in Portland, Oregon. He
manages the county's Central Budget Office Evaluation Unit which
provides programme evaluation, performance measurement and policy
analysis for a variety of government departments and elected officials.
During Matt's Ian Axford Fellowship he was based at New Zealand
Police, working also with the National Drug Intelligence Bureau
and the Centre for Social and Health Outcomes to gather and analyse
various methamphetamine market data. His focus has been on the changing
trends in the purity of New Zealand's methamphetamine markets and
their policy implications.
Abstract
New Zealand was unprepared for the arrival and fast growth of methamphetamine
use. An examination of government policy outcomes upon the methamphetamine
market was performed using historical drug purity data. Results found
that while a variety of increased enforcement activities have occurred,
the market availability and purity of the drug has not diminished. Market
purity levels increased from 30% in 2001 to 75% in 2003, and have since
remained stable. Precursor chemical controls that target domestic drug
manufacture - seen to substantially diminish the methamphetamine markets
in the United States - had no measurable impact in New Zealand largely
because they were not universally enacted and monitored. Additionally,
while drug apprehensions have doubled, the likelihood of conviction has
declined and currently those convicted do not face the possibility of
legally mandated drug treatment.
The government has several opportunities to significantly reduce the
country's methamphetamine market availability and better prepare the country
for future drug threats. These include creating a national drug monitoring
program, adopting drug market availability outcome measures, improving
prosecution outcomes, and developing the infrastructure to force drug
offenders into appropriate treatment. For all recommendations, close monitoring
and regular reporting on the results of the investments would be essential.
Table
of contents
Acknowledgments
Executive Summary
Introduction
1. Methamphetamine growth
2. New Zealand's national response
3. Changes in New Zealand's market outcomes
4. Additional systems observations
Conclusions
Bibliography
Appendix A: Methamphetamine Action Plan 2003
Appendix B: Key dates in New Zealand drug policy
axford2007_nice.pdf (382kb)
