Govt to Tighten Controls on 23 Harmful Substances, Including Fentanyl Analogues

Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized the need for stronger controls to combat illicit drug distribution and reduce harm in communities.

The New Zealand government is set to implement stricter regulations on 23 harmful substances, following recommendations from the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs. These new measures include the classification of three fentanyl analogues as Class A controlled drugs, signaling a major crackdown on synthetic opioids and other dangerous substances.

Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized the need for stronger controls to combat illicit drug distribution and reduce harm in communities. "Peddlers of illicit drugs are a scourge on society and cause devastating harm to families and communities across the country. Increasing penalties supports law enforcement agencies in cracking down on these peddlers of misery and destruction, enabling them to maintain law and order," Mr. Brown stated.

The proposed changes aim to enhance law enforcement's ability to prevent drug-related harm by granting greater authority to Police and Customs to take preemptive action. The penalties for manufacturing or possessing these substances will also be significantly increased, with the maximum sentence for producing fentanyl analogues set at life imprisonment.

Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and its analogues, are significantly more potent than traditional opioids like morphine and pose a higher risk of overdose. "We know that fentanyl itself is many times stronger than morphine, and its analogues can be even more powerful," Mr. Brown noted. "While New Zealand currently has lower illicit opioid use than other comparable countries, these measures will help limit the potential harm these substances could cause if they became more widely available."

In addition to fentanyl analogues, the government will impose stricter regulations on synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, amphetamine precursors, and novel benzodiazepines under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Many of these substances were already subject to some level of control under existing laws, but the new measures will bring more comprehensive restrictions.

The Cabinet has approved the initial steps of this regulatory overhaul, and the proposed changes will now be drafted as an Order in Council. The measures will be tabled in Parliament and reviewed by the Health Select Committee before returning to Cabinet for final approval. If agreed upon, the changes are expected to come into force by mid-year.

"We recognize the importance of reducing the impact of drug-related harm. Strengthening controls on these harmful substances is a vital step in that direction," Mr. Brown concluded.