Drug busts are breaking records. Meth, coke, MDMA, you name it. But no matter how tough the crackdowns get, the flow just doesn’t stop.

Now, the Drug Foundation says it’s time to ditch punishment and focus on health. This week a new survey from the Helen Clark Foundation and Otago University shows half of Kiwis agree: we should shift the money from policing to healthcare.

Join Miriama Kamo and Mark Crysell as they speak to Dr Rose Crossin from Otago University, former police officer and National MP Mike Sabin and journalist Russell Brown for a powerful conversation on whether or not we should legalise recreational drugs in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The episode also features a kōrero with Tricia Walsh, who has lived experience as a drug user on the receiving end of a policing approach. 

The Elephant is made with support from NZ On Air.