Cutting Edge examines NZ: drink & drug nation
Wasted youth, drugs in prisons and our genetic predisposition are among the subjects to be examined at the 2006 Cutting
Edge, the annual addictions and treatment conference.
The Alcohol Advisory Council(ALAC) is the principal sponsor of Cutting Edge 2006. The conference begins Thursday,
September 7, running for three days and featuring over 50 dynamic presentations and workshops from a treatment sector
that is coming of age. Corrections and Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor will open the conference at 9am
Thursday.
With considerable media attention to the issue of drugs in New Zealand's prison system and the role that alcohol and
other drugs plays in offending, Cutting Edge will closely examine the links and solutions to the problems of drugs,
offending and incarceration.
Also, there is significant attention given to young people and drugs, and how to support the families of young people
who are affected by alcohol and drug-related problems. Recent tragedies involving young people and the courts system
underscore the importance of how New Zealand can support young people and their families.
Keynote speaker Dr Papaarangi Reid discusses the debate around Maori and addictions, while visiting Professor Marc
Schuckit presents his groundbreaking findings on the impact of the genetics of alcoholism.
Additional highlights include:
• Minister Damien O'Connor outlines the Government's response to recent criticisms of the Corrections system
relating to drug and alcohol issues
• The findings from a longitudinal study into New Zealand's methadone programme, and a discussion about the risk
of abusing the take-away methadone scheme
• How alcoholism in Pacific Island Communities can be addressed through community initiatives.
"As a country we're affected by many problems related to alcohol and other drugs, reflected in high rates of
re-offending, a high prison muster and young people falling through the cracks and ending up in serious trouble," said
Cutting Edge spokesperson Tim Harding.
"Is New Zealand a drink and drug nation?" he asked. "Unless we understand the impact that addictions have on our society
then the answer won't be the one New Zealand wants."
The draft conference programme can be viewed at:
Ends