Addiction
Anti-meth rally calls for more support for addicts
Around 150 people marched with the NZ P Pull group calling for greater government support for addicts. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went along. Audio
Jenny Valentish: Woman of Substances
Jenny Valentish has brought the experience of her own wild, alcohol and drug-fuelled past, and her sober, contemplative present to examine the experience of substance abuse in women and girls. Her… Audio
Poorna Bell - Chase the Rainbow
Poorna Bell is an award-winning journalist who works as executive editor for The Huffington Post UK - the UK's third most-read digital website. Bell has also previously written for The Guardian, The… Audio
Synthetic cannabis addict: 'I'd use my money, my partner's ... I'd shoplift'
A father who had his three children taken off him while addicted to synthetics says he's not surprised they're killing people. Audio
New approaches needed to mental health - Coleman
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today launched a new free 24-7 phone and text number for people to connect to mental health and addiction professionals. But is the Government doing enough? Video, Audio
Flying Solo - solo dad Warren's story
In the second episode of Flying Solo, Lynda Chanwai-Earle meets one of the minorities, Pakeha solo dad Warren. He tackles - with humour - co-parenting through two separations, a child with depression… Audio, Gallery
Former All Black Zac Guildford considered suicide
Alcohol and off-field problems have plagued Zac Guildford's career, culiminating with the New South Wales Waratahs terminating his Super rugby contract last year. Audio
Mental health sector worries it will lose workers
The mental health and addictions sector has warned it could lose more skilled staff - this time to rest homes.
Insight: Meth - the Human Cost of a Hit
The rise in methamphetamine use in New Zealand is breaking up families, piling the pressure on schools, mental health workers, police and rehabilitation clinics. RNZs Northland reporter, Lois Williams… Audio
Tech addiction: clicking for kicks
A new book claims almost half of us have some kind of behavioural addiction involving screens or the internet, and that has worrying implications for us as social beings. Audio
Codeine-based painkillers may become prescription-only
Common over-the-counter painkillers like Panadeine, Nurofen Plus and many others may soon require a prescription. Video
Surge in addicts prompts Waiheke Island's own war on meth
Auckland's Waiheke Island community is battling to rid themselves of the drug methamphetamine, or P. Audio
'Drop the stigma'
Northland's Janet Balcombe is the author of The Wild Side, a novel based on her battle to overcome meth addiction. She says unless we drop the stigma substance abuse will never go away. She now lives… Audio
Corrections drug counsellors "underqualified"
Last year RNZ revealed that the Correction Department's provider of drug counselling, Care NZ, was being funded for non-existent drug counsellors. Now Corrections has put Care NZ's contract up for… Audio
Drug charity embracing the Dark Web
The A-Clinic, a Finnish addiction treatment NGO, is hoping to provide new drug testing services which people can access via the encrypted TOR network - the same network often used to buy and sell… Audio
Kim Ledger speaks frankly about son's death
Heath Ledger died from a lethal combination of several different prescription medications at age 28. Eight years on his father Kim is warning others not to make the same mistake. He is in New Zealand… Audio
Why having mates helps you stay drug-free
Drug and alcohol expert Professor David Best talks to Nine to Noon about creating a sense of community for recovering and recovered addicts. Until recently responses to addiction focused on treatment… Audio
An addict in the family
We know help is available for alcoholics and addicts - but what about their nearest and dearest? Peter Adams and Richie Hardcore tell Wallace Chapman about the realities of living with an addict. Audio
Kevin Mitnick: hacking and security
Kim Hill talks to security advisor Kevin Mitnick, who in the 1990s became the FBI's most wanted hacker and social engineer. He is visiting Auckland in August to present Cyber Threats: Insights from… Audio
Where will all the addicts go?
New Zealand lacks the facilities to forcibly detain people who have severe drug and alcohol addictions, health experts say.