Debate | Issue 7 | Drugs

ISSUE 7

DRUGS

debate ISSUE 7

DRUGS

JULY 2022

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DEBATE MAGAZINE ISSUE 07 THEME: DRUGS EDITOR Sam Clark ASSOCIATE EDITOR Vivien Whyte FEATURE WRITER Petra Shotwell LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE WRITER Briar Pomana CHIEF NEWS REPORTER Justin Hu NEWS WRITER David Williams CONTRIBUTORS Liam Hansen, Lucy Higgins, Stella Roper, Jennifer Susanto ILLUSTRATOR Yi Jong

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From the Editor

Your city needs you: Why you should run in this year's local elections

AUT’s growth model could be under threat, despite international students returning.

AUT student filmmakers encouraged to enter new festival

Students need ongoing free counselling AUTSA president

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Eating Healthy in the Face of Uber Eats and Instant Noodles

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Charlie Ratahi McFarland

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Harold The Giraffe Made Me Terrified of Drugs

ADVERTISING Jesse Jones jesse.jones@autsa.org.nz

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Quiz: Which Drug Are You?

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Zainab Mustafa

PRINTER Nicholson Print Solutions

DISCLAIMER Material contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of AUTSA, its advertisers, contributors, Nicholson Print Solutions or its subsidiaries.

This publication is entitled to the full protection given by the Copyright Act 1994 (“the Act”) to the holders of the copyright, being AUT STUDENT ASSOCIATION (“AUTSA”). Reproduction, storage or display of any part of this publication by any process, electronic or otherwise (except for the educational purposes specified in the Act) without express permission is a break of the copyright of the publisher and will be prosecuted accordingly. Inquiries seeking permission to reproduce should be addressed to AUTSA. Debateis a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA).

FollowDebate! debatemag.com debate_mag autsadebate debate@autsa.org.nz

18 20 22 24 26

Fear and Loathing in Port Waikato

Theatre Review: Scenes from a Yellow Peril

Are We There Yet? The Twists and Turns of Drug Trips

My Neighbours, The Drug Dealers

The Beloved Tinnie - Another Casualty of Shrinkflation? Debate Investigates

27

Gig Guide

28

What's On

30

Puzzles

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Kia ora!

Welcome to the drugs issue - my first as editor. I’m not entirely sure what that says about me. But I’m grateful to be at the helm of Debate. It's crazy to think that last year I was struggling with my final assignments. Those lockdowns nearly drove me insane and add a breakup to the mix – it's been a turbulent six months.

Now I'm here - a moustachioed journalism student who got a job. I love music, which means annoying my flatmates by constantly blasting my speakers, strumming my guitar when I should be working and seeing gigs at the great venues of Tāmaki Makaurau. I also love surfing - tune in to my surf report every morning on 95bFM. People love drugs in Aotearoa. Rhythm and Vines, our biggest festival, is practically dedicated to MDMA. And I would argue that ‘two degrees of separation’ also applies to everyone’s proximity to a weed dealer. So, of course you’ve got your stoners. But don’t forget the sesh gremlins, trippers, ket-heads, nang enthusiasts, speed demons, coke-fuelled corporates and mushroom foragers. When you consider these various groups, it’s fair to say we have a vibrant drug culture.

Chances are you fall under at least one of these categories.

Drugs can also be very divisive in Aotearoa. We need only look as far as the ill-fated referendum of 2020 to see how we fall short on drug policy. But the government is no stranger to harm reduction. During the 1980s AIDS crisis, Aotearoa became the first country in the world to sponsor a comprehensive needle exchange programme. And in the past few years, the government has introduced legal drug testing at music festivals. Police can also offer addiction support instead of prosecuting drug users. Despite this, weed still dominates drug offences and Māori are disproportionately affected. There’s so much work to be done. It’s a shame that while this is happening, weed is being sold in its gentrified form: clinics. That might sound dramatic, but of the five cannabis clinics in Auckland, two are located in Ponsonby. You can find the rest in Mount Eden, Remuera and over the bridge in Takapuna.

I’ll tie off this ramble with my latest drug experience. Last month I had a minor surgery at Auckland City Hospital. Due to high-capacity, I was given meds in the waiting room to the sound of my least favourite TV show, The Chase. Shortly, I was out of my mind on morphine. This was a blessing, as without it I would’ve been freaking out. Either from the prospect of the surgery or British television.

The surgery wasn’t fun, but I was convinced the experience had been truly transcendental. In my mind, the doctor was a sage guiding me to safety through the subterranean maze of Auckland hospital. Afterwards, my friend pointed out what actually happened: I was halfway to the exit and on cloud nine, while the doctor waited patiently for me to get my head straight.

So, are drugs bad? Sometimes. They can definitely be scary. But they can also be fun and even enlightening. I think it’s important to share our experiences so we use drugs safely, especially when we’re young.

Anyway, that’s enough from me. Please enjoy these stories about drugs from our campus and beyond.

Sam x

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NEWS

Your city needs you: Why you should run in this year's local elections

By Justin Hu (he/him) Candidate nominations have just opened for our city's local elections, and a youth voting advocate is encouraging uni students to put their names forward.

"We know that local government is inherently unrepresentative. Not only are they mostly white, they're mostly male and they're mostly older people," Singh said.

Why should you run though? After all, local government does tend to be a bit more sleepy than central government. However, alongside wheelie-bin maintenance and street naming responsibilities, it's important to remember that your local council makes decisions that will fundamentally affect your day-to-day life in Tāmaki Makaurau.

"I think the unrealised potential for local government is around community action for climate change, or harm prevention with drug and alcohol abuse. There's a lot of unrealised potential."

These decisions cover a swath of different areas - whether that's the local community groups that receive funding, the kinds of buses and trains that AT decides to run, or whether it's legal to build townhouses and apartments in your neighbourhood.

Make It 16's co-director Sanat Singh told Debate that he encourages students and young people to consider running.

Singh also advocates for the voting age to be lowered to 16 as the co-director of the Make It 16 campaign.

Candidate nominations for this year's local elections close on August 12th.

Learn more about how to become a candidate at voteauckland.co.nz Find out more about Make It 16 at makeit16.org.nz

"We know the issues we face as a city, let alone a country, are going to be disproportionately felt by young people."

"So, if young people want to make progress on these issues in their spheres of influence, local government is one of the key steps they can take."

The decisions being made at Auckland Council affect your daily life as much as, or even more than the ones in the Beehive. You'd think those kinds of big decisions would call for a diverse, representative group of leaders… you'd think.

But local government across Aotearoa is fatally unrepresentative of the people they serve. Analysis by Stuff's Charlie Mitchell prior to the last local elections found that only seven percent of local reps were under 40.

Meanwhile, 83% were older than 51.

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ISSUE 5

DRUGS

NEWS

AUT’s growth model could be under threat, despite international students returning

By David WIlliams (he/him) AUT's leadership team is rethinking its operation model due to a slow uptake in enrolments.

“That growth model revisits how we want to operate going forward,” says AUT Assistant Vice Chancellor and CFO, Lyle Williams.

AUT has seen a large growth in student numbers in recent history.

“Up until 2020, we’d had quite a positive growth period as a university, our international enrolments and our domestic enrolments had both been on the increase for a number of years,”he says.

However, Covid posed a threat to the number of students and thus the finances of the university.

Williams says the senior team came together at the beginning of 2020 to plan how the university could financially sustain itself through the pandemic.

This included voluntary redundancies, a pause on major capital projects and cancelling travel for events.

Consequently, AUT posted a $12.3 million surplus in 2020, and a $12.9 million surplus in 2021 - all during a period of financial shock for the tertiary education sector.

The rise in domestic students helped, easing the the financial burden of having fewer international enrolments.

“I think we’ve got the largest point in domestic enrolment to date,” says Williams.

Unfortunately, the number of domestic students is declining after the spike in 2021.

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Although the borders are now open, the levels of international students AUT had pre-Covid will not return overnight.

“It's a little tighter for us. That's our third year in a row that we have had less international revenue. This year has been also amplified by reduced domestic enrollment,” says Williams.

“There's always going to be a down period... The challenges of the last two years are coming home to impact our overall financial result. Assuming growth at this stage would be inappropriate.”

He says the leadership team is coming up with a plan to be sustainable both for students and the university.

“So the challenge will be looking at things we've done that don't necessarily fit with what the future looks like.”

Williams is heartened by the return of students to campus.

“The buzz of students getting together and stuff. I mean, it's why we do what we do. I don't do it to be a good accountant or make sure the books balance. That's my job.

But behind that is a keenness to see students succeed.”

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DRUGS

NEWS

AUT student filmmakers encouraged to enter new festival

By Justin Hu (he/him) AUT student filmmakers are being offered an opportunity to enter a first-of-its-kind nationwide film festival - and it’s not just about the prize money.

The organiser also explained the festival’s submission requirements: the runtime will be different for each age group.

Organisers of the New Zealand Youth Film Festival have announced that contestants have until November to submit their work.

“We have different limits for different age groups because we believe that there's going to be different levels of experience. We built three age groups to help maintain fairness.”

Festival director, Ryan Chow told Debate that the film festival would be more than just an opportunity for students to win prize money.

“There'll be an Oscar-style red carpet award ceremony and screening on campus in December, as well as tours of industry facilities for nominees.”

When Debate spoke to the organiser in late June, there had already been dozens of submissions. Hundreds more are expected by the time entries close in November.

It’s free to enter and open to anyone aged 15-24. A judging panel of media industry professionals is currently being organised, and shortlisted films will be screened to the public in December.

Chow, who is also an AUT student, said commercial sponsors had provided resources to make the festival happen.

Chow said he hopes the festival will become an annual event that’s hosted at a different university every year. He said this year’s festival was thus far being run by parttimers and volunteers.

“It's quite an intensive project for our team, but we're all very excited,” Chow said. “If it is successful this year, we hope that it will develop into a name that students recognise.

“We're trying to design it so that it's something that students would look forward to [if held annually], as well as be a real route for them to build their careers. That's our mission and that's what we aspire to create.”

Find out more about the festival and how to enter at: nzyff.com

“We estimate our total awards, that includes cash prizes, our festival trophies, as well as our additional rewards, including with our sponsors, to be valued around about $17,000.”

The festival has received sponsorship from Adobe, Canon, Wētā FX and Auckland Unlimited, among others.

“Tickets are going to be available for members of the public as well as the filmmakers' families” he said.

“Our plan is to also invite members of the industry to be there, so that on top of our judging panel - we also will hopefully have some VIPs here to celebrate student work.”

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ISSUE 5

NEWS

Students need ongoing free counselling AUTSA president

By David Williams (he/him) AUT students can get up to six free counselling sessions provided by the university, but AUTSA President Sara Youssef says that’s not enough.

AUT counselling says students typically use one to three of these sessions, based on personal needs.

However, they say they are open to review if students need more support. This could mean referring them to external services like Puāwaitanga, if that would better suit their needs.

Every year, more than 1,200 students see a counsellor and it's been that way for the past three years.

However, more and more students are using all six sessions - last year saw a 50% increase. And on top of that, over 100 students used more than the six funded sessions.

Youssef says these six sessions aren’t enough - it's much better to create long term relationships with students than trying to find a quick solution.

But Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa says cost isn't the only thing limiting free counselling sessions for students.

“We don’t have enough counsellors to deliver the service already - I was talking to a counsellor who says we’re already booking four or five weeks out to get a session.”

He says AUT is facing the same problem as New Zealand: there are not enough mental health counsellors.

However, Youssef says universities have a responsibility for the welfare of their students.

To access AUT’s metal health and counselling services, email counselling@aut.ac.nz or call +64 9 921 9292 The locations on each campus are: City Campus: Level 2, WB Building North Campus: Level 2, AS building South Campus: MB107b

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DRUGS

ISSUE 5

DRUGS

Keen for a getaway that won't break the bank?

The AUTSA Lodge at Tongariro National Park is available at rock bottom prices for AUT students. Rent the entire place from just $155 (off peak) - it sleeps up to 12 people, so you could pay as little as $13 each a night!

Book your getaway now!

www.autsa.org.nz/the-lodge

WANT TO MAKE UNI LIFE AWESOME? Every year, you get the chance to vote in the Student Representative Council (SRC) — a group of AUT students elected by AUT students to represent the student voice on campus.

Nominations open on the 25th July, and close on the 12th August.

Know a perfect candidate? Nominate them - or yourself!

autsa.org.nz/elections 9

ISSUE 5

MUSIC

Eating Healthy in the Face of Uber Eats and Instant Noodles WORDS | Jennifer Susanto (she/her)

The student diet is saturated with cheap, quick and unhealthy foods. Whether it be instant noodles, Uber Eats or a Maccas run, these habits are simply seen as a part of being a student. But with long-term health effects, increased spending and lower mood, should it really be part of the uni experience?

In my first semester, I noticed everyone buying takeout on the regular (myself included!). Some of us were spending up to $100 on takeout alone. As I dug deeper into these habits, I realised it was because a lot of us didn’t have the time, energy or knowledge to cook. After this, I became determined to learn, but didn’t know where to start - I didn’t really have much cooking experience. The internet is home to a lot of recipes, but I struggled to know what to type in the search bar. I spent more time looking for recipes than actually cooking.

That’s where FoodScrapz comes in. We’re a studentled organisation hoping to promote healthier eating at university. We want to provide a platform for equal and accessible opportunities to eat cheaper, easier and healthier.

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I wanted FoodScrapz to remove the barriers of learning how to cook and present it in a simple and fun way for students. Although the app is currently on hold, FoodScrapz hosts weekly cooking sessions at AUT’s new Te Āhuru Recreation Centre.

FoodScrapz is not just for people who are good at cooking - I am a shit cook, but that’s kinda the point!

All of our sessions include cheap, simple and tasty recipes that anyone can enjoy. We’re dedicated to providing super easy and affordable meal ideas for students. Our Instagram page now has over 50 recipes, which take under 15 minutes to prepare and cost around $3 a serving. Most recipes are designed to use the ingredients you already have lying around at home (hence the name FoodScrapz).

Our club runs every second Friday 5pm-7pm at the City Campus Rec Centre. It’s 100% free so anyone can come along to cook their own free meal (RSVP via @foodscrapz Instagram). FoodScrapz runs at the same time as the Board Games Club, making it an ideal place for food, fun and meeting new people!

RECIP

ISSUE 7

FOODSCRAPZ

Tasty Dan Dan Noodles

RECIPES

RECIPES

RECIPES

Total Time: 8 mins Servings: 2 Inspired by the traditional Chinese Dan Dan noodles, this recipe uses very simple ingredients to make a delicious, creamy sauce. It’s such a go-to because of how easy it is to make. You don’t even need to cook the sauce on a stove. Simply chuck all the ingredients in a bowl and stir with a little hot water.

Ingredients 200g noodles (any style) Handful of your favourite veges: cabbage, carrot, cucumber - frozen is great too!

1/2 Cup Peanut butter 2 Tbsp Soy sauce 1 Tbsp Brown sugar 1 Garlic clove 1 tsp Ground ginger 1 Tbsp Lemon juice or vinegar 2 Tbsp Boiling water Optional: Chili oil, edamame, coriander, sesame seeds, eggs (fried, scrambled) Instructions 1. Boil noodles according to packet.

2. Mix other ingredients in a small bowl with a little hot water (microwave, or use a saucepan to emulsify faster).

3. Combine noodles, sauce and veges.

4. Enjoy!

Avocado Pasta?!

Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 2

RECIPES

It looks like something Shrek would eat but I swear it’s delicious.

Don’t stop at avocado on toast… This is the easiest and tastiest pasta sauce ever! Avocados are available all year round, especially in summer. A standard avo should cost around $1.50 - you’ll find the best deals at your local fruit shop or Pak’nSave. Avocados have many health benefits - they’re great for your heart, eyes and mood.

N.B: You’ll need a blender / food processor for this one.

Ingredients 1/2 Avocado 1/2 Tbsp Olive oil 1 Tbsp Lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste Handful of fresh herbs e.g. basil, coriander or parsley 70g Pasta Optional: Grated cheese, chili oil/flakes

RECIPES

Instructions 1. Cook pasta according to packet.

2. Blend all other ingredients.

3. Mix and enjoy!

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ISSUE 7

DRUGS

Harold The Giraffe Made Me Terrified of Drugs Behind the iconic mammal that preached healthy living to a generation

WORDS | Liam Hansen (he/they) Primary school in the mid to late 2000s was... a lot. It involved plenty of Jump Jam, avoiding swimming sports and playing SumDog with Taio Cruz’s ‘Dynamite’ in the background (or its superior Minecraft parody version). These, alongside my time with Harold, are the only memories from primary school that I haven’t actually repressed. I spent hours shoeless in a cramped little caravan with the rest of my classmates, looking up at artificial stars, learning about the human body and becoming mesmerised by a giraffe who was definitely not a puppet.

At times I think back on the Healthy Harold programme and wonder if it was all a fever dream. It was a creative take on health education for sure. Featuring casual skeletons, skinned figures of human bodies and Harold occasionally bursting into song with an undeniably killer baritone. It also gave kids a different environment to learn in - one with crazy new technology, like a projector and a big ol’ screen in a van. Maybe the uniqueness of the classes, both in content and design, is why they’ve stuck around in my mind so much. I learned about how the heart wasn’t actually heart-shaped, that you shouldn’t be a dick, and that you should never call Harold a puppet or else you’ll be shunned and exiled. All this led up to the conversations around drugs and alcohol during years seven and eight, which are permanently etched into my mind. Laminated photos of grey lungs, car crashes and intoxicated teenagers decorated the walls. The latter was used to show what employers could find when they searched your name online. Nothing is more terrifying to an eleven-yearold than their future job prospects being foiled! Unless you’re my friend, who was terrified of Harold and promptly became an alcoholic to spite him.

The programme seems to have had some sort of an effect on me, as I continue to be subconsciously strict on myself about drinking in safe environments and avoiding drugs stronger than Nuromol. Admittedly, this is probably due to me being a neurotic weasel who’s scared of dying, but that fear had to have come from somewhere. Thankfully, it seems I’m not alone; a super scientific study (a poll and question box on the Debate Instagram story) showed that a majority of respondents became scared of drug use after their lessons (56% is still the majority, shh). It also revealed that Harold apparently once started emitting steam in someone's class, which either means that a robotic FNAF-like version of Harold exists, or that motherfucker needs to practise what he preaches.

But it’s been a while, and times are changing. The children educated by Harold are growing up and understanding drugs better, and the conversation in Aotearoa has been shifting towards harm reduction. This prompted me to speak to Life Education Trust, the folks behind the Healthy Harold programme.

I wanted to learn how they operate as educators and as a business, how they approach their substance education and their impact over the last 35 years.

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After waiting outside a mobile classroom and listening to the kids inside laugh and cheer, I was welcomed in and transported back to my youth. It was actually a bougier version of it. Gone were the black felt walls, massive whiteboard and slightly sticky carpet I remember. The revamped minivan was orange and purple, decorated with various posters and worksheets, a brand new screen and a miraculously clean and fluffy floor considering it had just been put through a day's worth of smelly kid feet.

Of course, all of it was lit up by the starry ceiling, which hasn’t changed a bit. I was speaking to Sylvia Parke, an inconveniently named educator from Ireland, and Natasha Brooking, who was a few weeks into her training at Life Education. Almost immediately our conversation jumped to the little yellow guy behind the curtain - perhaps sitting cross-legged on the caravan floor brought the excitement back out in me.

“The kids don’t come to see us, all they want to see is Harold,” Sylvia laughed. “Except for the little year ones who have no idea who he is - some of them can be a little bit scared of him at the beginning.”

There are techniques to make him a bit less frightening: consistent movement and expressiveness are key, especially in the age of masked up education making emotions a bit harder to understand. As kids get older, however, most warm up to him and see him as an integral part of their childhood. Natasha told a story of how she asked a group of year eight students who had been seeing Harold since they were five and watched as every hand in the van shot up. She decided to bring the giraffe out one last time, having him tell some jokes to the class and reminisce.

“I didn’t think they would go for it”, she said, “but I said ‘Hey, if you’d love to just come up and say goodbye to Harold, give him a scratch behind the ear or a little pat, feel free’ and the whole class lined up! Of course, they know he’s not real, but they all said goodbye and left really happy. For me, it was like ‘Wow, this is really what it’s about’.”

A giraffe mascot's ability to have tweens let go of their cringe culture mindset and let themselves be kids again is something to be marvelled at. I did end up getting slightly too curious and asked if I could take a look at him. I have now seen Harold the Giraffe's lifeless body, and no, I did not take any pictures (I’m saving you all the heartbreak).

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DRUGS

The programme seems to have had some sort of an effect on me, as I continue to be subconsciously strict on myself about drinking in safe environments and avoiding drugs stronger than Nuromol.

DONT DO DRUGS

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“I didn’t think they would go for it”, she said, “but I said ‘Hey, if you’d love to just come up and say goodbye to Harold, give him a scratch behind the ear or a little pat, feel free’ and the whole class lined up! Of course, they know he’s not real, but they all said goodbye and left really happy. For me, it was like ‘Wow, this is really what it’s about’.”

After my visit to the mobile caravan, I spoke to Lance Hutchison, the chairperson of Auckland Central operations who’s been around since the beginning. He explained how Life Education Trust ran, and its philosophy: “The human body is magnificent, we must respect and care for everyone, and you are unique and special. ” However, not every school runs the same way. Sylvia pointed out that different regions have different topics. “For example, some schools want a really strong focus on substance education, while others focus elsewhere”. I wondered if there would be any equity issues surrounding this, to which Lance explained, “We now have a fund for schools that can’t afford us we’ll come in for free for the first year”. He also made it clear that they're essentially a charity that runs like a business, with rigorous fundraising efforts and support from various organisations yet they refuse funding from the government. This is to keep their neutrality across the board, as accepting cash from one government could result in the next year's being cut if there’s a change of power. There’s also minimised political influence, with all of their issues sticking to their own core principles and examinations of what’s needed. In recent years, it’s been mental health support and vaping education.

“It doesn't matter whether it’s illegal or legal, the impact is still the same. The concern is that the adolescent brain is still developing, which is why we tell kids to delay.” Life Education's CEO, John O'Connell, really emphasised this over the phone - and the same sentiment was echoed by Lance, Sylvia and Natasha. We were chatting about substance education in the Harold caravans and beyond. Unsurprisingly, the approach felt a lot more nuanced than when I was a kid. These courses absolutely aim to disclose the risk of drug harm, but there was still an understanding that recreational drug use wasn’t inherently terrible. John reflects on how drug education has changed over the years: “Ultimately, we want kids to make an informed decision. Back in my day, we didn't have any education on what happened to your body after five drinks, so we want to make sure kids are making the safe choice when they’re in those situations”.

So, why did it feel like I was being told drugs and alcohol were evil when I was a kid? Several people I spoke to came away from eight years in the Life Education Caravan and felt like they were being taught through the lens of prohibition. Our Instagram responses also revealed some issues Debate readers had with their own teaching. One user recollected being told marijuana would make them hallucinate (it doesn't). Perhaps it was due to how each educator approached their teaching, as well as what our primary school decided to focus on. John reiterated, “We don’t go into the school saying we’re going to teach X, Y, and Z. We always work with the school and try to meet their own needs”.

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However, Life Education is not against change. “We’re right up to vaping now when it used to be smoking. People drink less now, so there’s less alcohol education demand, but there’s far more around mental health, resilience and managing stress.” When I asked about the vaping programme and how that was being designed, he said it was all happening as more information was being brought up and discovered by scientists. Their development team in Wellington is focused on thorough research, working with public health bodies and creating a programme that allows for proper minimisation of drug harm. The same goes for their ongoing substance education, as well as the building of mental health programmes; after years of kids going in and out of isolation, children are struggling with more anxiety and loneliness.

John says, “We have a direct feedback system from schools, so we often pick up on these issues before public health”. This allows them to implement changes early and begin their education as these issues begin to peak.

Whether you came out of the Harold caravan feeling empowered or terrified, you cannot deny the impact it and Life Education Trust as a whole have made over the past thirty-five years. They champion their impact proudly: According to their 2021 annual report, 96% of teachers agreed that they provided children with the information needed to make positive decisions. 97% agreed that their educators delivered lessons that met the needs of their class. Nonetheless, there are absolutely still issues and work that needs to be done. John highlighted how they’re working on implementing more te reo Māori into their classrooms and more culturally responsive teaching in general. They're also working on diversity within their own company and recognise how the face of it needs to change alongside the rest of Aotearoa.

In retrospect, I think that my own substance education could’ve been handled better. It would’ve been great if there was more focus on safe recreational drug usage, having more nuance between ‘This is what will happen if you use drugs’ and ‘This is what will happen if you stay sober’. There are so many different variables to recreational drug use, and it’s very possible to provide education on safe drug usage, drug checking and risks without encouraging it. As Sylvia said, “If you tell a group of kids to not press the big red button, they are going to press the big red button.” But everyone I spoke to at Life Education Trust seemed very confident that they were adequately evolving and adapting when new information was released, and I hope we can continue to see that in their results. Health and drug education can be weird and scary. But if a big ol’ giraffe can guide us through the safety and risks, we can hopefully move toward a healthier and happier society.

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DRUGS

Keen for a getaway that won't break the bank?

The AUTSA Lodge at Tongariro National Park is available at rock bottom prices for AUT students. Rent the entire place from just $155 (off peak) - it sleeps up to 12 people, so you could pay as little as $13 each a night!

Book your getaway now!

www.autsa.org.nz/the-lodge

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?!

U O Y E R A G U WHICH DR

SATURDAY NIGHT - YO

STAYING IN

movies and takeout with friends

gaming

FAT FREDDY'S DROP OR LAB?

PICK A FILM GENRE

lab

fat freddy's comedy

horror / thriller

A FRIEND IS MOST LIKEY TO DESCRIBE YOU AS?

reliable

IS BOB'S BURGERS FUNNY? yes

idealistic

DO YOU VAPE?

only other peoples when i'm drunk

yes

no

TIKTOK OR TWITTER?

tiktok

Weed

You're silly and loveable.

You thrive in warm and humid environments.

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Alcohol

You're dependable and adaptable. A friend to many.

MDMA

You love your friends and always see the best in people, until Tuesday.

twitter

Nangs

You always appear when it's least expected but deeply appreciated.

You’re also weirdly good at making whipped cream?

OU ARE MOST LIKELY?

GOING OUT

pre drinks then hitting town

local gig or dj set

resturant then cocktails in ponsonby

KARANGAHAPE RD OR VIADUCT?

COROMANDEL OR RAGLAN?

RnV or AUM?

k' road

no

raglan

coromandel

DO YOU LIKE LEO MOLLOY?

aum

rnv

viaduct

DO YOU LIVE ON THE NORTH SHORE?

yes

no

yes

PAK'NSAVE OR FARRO?

no

farro no

REALLY?

pak'nsave

IN 2025 YOU'LL BE?

yes

putting all my money into crypto

Nicotine

You’ve got a way of tricking the kids into thinking you're cool.

Cocaine

You're interesting and can bring the energy to any dull situation, but not every situation needs it. Learn some self awareness, my friend.

wherever the wind takes me

Acid

A revolutionary thinker.

You could change the world, if only you made any sense.

Magic Mushrooms

You’re insightful and generous.

You help people see things with a new perspective. But you’re also cheap and smell like crap.

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DRUGS

Fear and Loathing in Port Waikato

By Anonymous Illustraion by Lucy Higgins (she/her) @iggyucy

I’m not much of a stoner these days. It’s something that can be traced back to the time I ate too many edibles in Port Waikato and completely freaked out - vowing to never do them again. I haven’t exactly stuck to that decision, but I have become pretty good at saying no to drugs, including my flatmate’s daily (and much appreciated) offers to have a cone with him. For better or for worse, I’ll always remember those six mind-bending hours. Here’s how it went.

To set the scene, it was summer 2018 at my friend’s bach, which we affectionately called ‘Port Wai’. I’d been to the bach once before – back in high school and without the trippy undertones. It’s a small beach town situated on the rugged west coast, where the longest river in Aotearoa meets the wildest sea - Te Tai-o-Rēhua, the Tasman. The fateful night started out just how you’d expect – familiar faces and cheap drinks, a classic summer night. As general mischief ensued, a small group were busy in the kitchen, rustling up ‘Firecrackers’; a cute name for raw weed sprinkled between two superwine biscuits, slathered with Nutella and blasted in the oven.

I immediately broke rule number one of edibles.

Thinking they weren't strong, I ate a couple more.

As with trying any drug for the first time, there was a nervous excitement while I waited for the effects to kick in. It went pretty quickly from your typical giggly high, to a real nightmare-ish freaky-deaky high. It was a shock to a 19-yearold, who up until then thought they were a seasoned stoner. The point of no return was when Joe started dealing cards for ‘Go Fish’. His hand seemed to stretch out in front of me, going very, very slow. I was sinking into the couch - I knew I had to get up soon, or I'd be stuck there for a while. Laughing along with my mates, the paranoia was getting harder to ignore, but I managed to announce “I’m... going to bed”.

I somehow made it to my bed for the night: the back of my mate’s van. Under the cover of darkness, it wasn't the refuge I'd hoped it would be. The now oppressive atmosphere was punctuated by dogs barking, sounds of the party and 2018 pop music. The latter did not help my mental state (cast your mind back to 'Sicko Mode' and 'Gucci Gang'). After a few shaky hours, one by one, my roomies started to follow suit and join me in the van. Jake took my approach: lie down and wait for it to pass. Harry decided to battle it head-on, running frantically back and forth between the van and the bach. And Joe, seemingly unfazed, came to hang out with us, munching on a bag of chips – a sound which rattled me to my bones and had more reverb than a Tame Impala album.

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Sleep can be pretty hit or miss when it comes to weed. It can act like a narcotic camomile tea, sending you off into a blissful sleep, with dreams of fluffy clouds. The side effects harmless: cotton mouth, the munchies and red eyes. My world, on the other hand, turned into one big kaleidoscope, and not in a good way. It might be weird thinking how that can be scary, but the best way I can describe it is that one scene from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Where Raoul Duke and Dr Gonzo are checking into their hotel and the patterns on the carpet start morphing into their surroundings. The things around you take on a life of their own, and depending on your mindset this can be fun, or honestly terrifying. Naively, I closed my eyes, thinking it would stop. But instead, I lay awake for what felt like hours and it was all my own doing. I must’ve eventually fallen asleep, not that I remember.

In retrospect, I think we should all save that Lifewise clip on YouTube. The nice lady imparts some pretty amazing wisdom: “Hey champ a friend told me you got a little too high... This sucks, you may feel like you've gone permanently insane, or you’re dead. Here’s the good news: you’re alive and your sanity is probably intact. You’re just really, really high.”

I woke up the next day to inspect the damage: every single door of the bach was open and people were crashed in whatever nook they could find. I guess I wasn’t the only one. We all drove to the beach, sat for a while in the carpark and made a brave attempt at a swim. Next, my friend and I went to get lunch in Pokeno, but it turned out to be 6pm – and ice cream was our first meal of the day. Needless to say, I was pretty brain-dead.

At the end of the day, our brains can be pretty weird on drugs. We've all had the odd scary high experience, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Also, if you’re freaking out, don’t be afraid to ask a friend for help – you'd do the same for them! Here’s to many good highs in the future, but don’t be dismayed when a bad one comes along – you'll be fine.

ISSUE 7

DRUGS

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THEATRE REVIEW:

Scenes from a Yellow Peril 9/10 - Nathan Joe masterfully encapsulates the Asian New Zealander identity through a series of hilarious, raw and unsettling vignettes.

The titular scenes take us through a journey of the Asian experience - interracial dating, pornography, slurs, affirmations, manifestos and hate crimes. It’s also a journey of emotions, from rage to remorse. In groundbreaking fashion, each of the scenes are brilliantly broken up with a Q+A session that blurs the line between character and actor, make-believe and reality, shattering any notion that this performance sits firmly in the genre of fiction.

The power of language is a central theme of the play. The cast radiates vulnerability. At times, lone figures stand under the harsh lighting of the stage - but it’s the audience that feels the spotlight on them, purely through the impact of spoken word. Joe’s talents as a poet translate brilliantly to the stage, his words flowing yet jarring, both lighthearted and harsh.

Of course, words don't have the same impact if they're lacking conviction. Joe’s writing is brought to life by a wickedly talented cast who fire off rapid, witty, complex lines at a breakneck speed without sacrificing any of the passion woven into the words. The pacing of the play is a marvel in itself - encouraging a rollercoaster of emotions before you’ve even finished processing the last scene.

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One of the joys of seeing poetry being incorporated into theatre is the opportunity to adorn words with jaw-dropping costume and set design. Nathan Joe and his minimalist cast mostly perform clad in cleverly designed costumes that resemble a cultural armour, protecting them from the probing eyes of the audience.

Nathan Joe avoids the common pitfalls of assuming his experience as an Asian New Zealander is universal, or lumping together a collection of vague tropes. Instead, his words resonate in a myriad of different ways. Everyone will leave the ASB Waterfront Theatre having taken away something unique. It perfectly sums up why the arts are so special, showcasing the versatility of language and movement and collating them in a way that doesn’t feel gimmicky.

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ISSUE 7

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DRUGS

ISSUE 7

DRUGS

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My Neighbours, The Drug Dealers WORDS | Briar Pomana (she/her) ILLUSTRATION | Yi Jong (she/they)

One was twenty-something and the other probably sixty. They both sold weed, a humble drug and a favourite in our community.

Everyone’s parents did it, even my own. It was nothing out of the ordinary and it grew like wild flowers or grapes along our paddock fencelines. The weather was perfect for its harvest.

Our town had painfully hot summers and eerily cold winters and followed the bends and curves of the Tukituki River. My first memory of weed was playing in a greenhouse full of it, bemused with its other-worldly scent and deep plumage. My mum used to keep it in an old Eclipse mints tin on top of the microwave. I never saw her buy any mints at the supermarket, so my curiosity at a spare tin of chewy mints piqued from the moment she set it aside for “safe keeping.” After a long day of work, my mum would loiter out on the deck at night and offer clouds of smoke to the gods.

She wore a green jacket, which is mine now. Its pockets could only hold her fists and a nicked lighter. She’d light a sunken-in purple candle that was strong enough to camouflage the nostalgia and shiver at its lack of warmth. Sometimes the twenty-something neighbour would check in on her, often flicking her another bag of green and in Spring, the promise of a feed of lamb tails.

Twenty Something lived with his grandmother and uncle in a little yellow house with an orange brick roof that always spewed water when it rained. They had a big garden that was tended to by the Granny of the house. She was elegant and stunning in stature.

She wore big floaty sun hats with ankle-grazer trousers and fake teeth that seemed too white for her darkened skin. Twenty Something almost exclusively wore a singlet and grey track pants.

Both looked unwashed and in need of a soak in a bucket of soapy water, but I never got close enough to test the theory. Twenty Something and his uncle would sit in the shed out the back and play Bob Marley all day, lowering the volume at night. I try to remember if I ever saw either leave the property and I cannot recall an instance where their radio wasn’t blasting. Customers never parked in the Granny’s driveway, which must have been her one rule. It was only when they had family stay that you heard the shells on the dirt driveway crack. Our street was long and wide, so it was no bother to those who weren’t family to park up alongside the curb to get their fix.

The older neighbour also lived with his nephew, almost an Uno reverse card of Twenty Something. He was always in a dark hoodie that shielded his face and back. Making out his face was impossible. His house was guarded by two big dogs named Spud and Spike. They towered over us kids but their eyes were kind. We used to scare them more than anything and after school if they dared to find themselves in our own backyards we’d scold them silly. Spud was golden and smooth. He had what looked like a stubble grown beard and white socks for paws. Spike was lean and black. He reminded me of the hyenas from Lion King and would always be pulling Spud into driveways they didn’t belong in. We never petted either of them because they were working dogs, placed in our neighbourhood to scare off whoever may come knocking when Probably Sixty would lock up his gates. I don’t think I ever even got a glimpse into what the front lawn looked like at Probably Sixty’s. In my head, I imagine a trampoline, one with a net for safety, a large pool filled with inflatable rings and topless women. There was an old tree stump close to the fence that separated our home and Probably Sixty’s. In the summer, my best friend and I would climb atop of it and peer with a new-found height at what lay beyond that fence. Each attempt was as disappointing as the last. Probably Sixty’s property would remain a mystery.

In all my years living between these men, I never saw them interact. Twenty Something stuck to the right of me and Probably Sixty, to my left. I often imagine if they had some unspoken oath, a scripture written on aute parchment hanging in a foyer framed; its conditions signed at the bottom in blood and sprinkled with holy bong water. I envision the agreement would have prophesied that two drug dealers could coexist in peace as long as they kept to either side of a small girl's childhood home. That if they did their business in their own yards and did not venture beyond them, the world would continue to spin and fireplaces would remain stoked.

This ancient bond would declare that if the drug dealers promised to keep their eyes out for the young girl, her younger brother and their single mother, the balance in the universe would remain. I've always made sense of it this way; but as I get older, I understand that perhaps it is the role of these small town drug dealers to be good neighbours first. Maybe it isn’t all high speed and violence, but instead silly old dogs and Bob Marley’s 'No Woman No Cry' on a stereo. A community is nothing without people who give back to it. That’s how it was for me, raised by a street of strangers. Drug dealers, drug users, drug abusers, we were all just neighbours and it meant something.

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ISSUE 7

The Beloved Tinnie - Another Casualty of Shrinkflation?

Debate Investigates.

By Anonymous

For as long as any drug user can remember (potentially not very long), the tinnie has been a pillar of Aotearoa drug culture. The tinnie a gram of bud wrapped in tinfoil and sold for a modest $20, is deserving of national pride. I'm about as patriotic as any other Gen Z stoner not very. I don't watch the All Blacks, and I don't care where pavlova comes from. But when it comes to the tinnie, I can't help but feel my heart swell with a sense of nationalism. The tinnie belongs to New Zealanders and is for New Zealanders. It democratises drug use for the masses. For just $20, anyone can indulge in all the wonder that one gram of cannabis has to offer.

But does the skyrocketing cost of living put the tinnie under threat?

To investigate, I asked my drug dealer how much bud I could get for $20. I was shocked by his answer - 0.8 grams. My blissful ignorance shattered, I consoled myself by thinking this might just be my dealer - and perhaps there are better deals elsewhere. But consulting fellow stoners on the issue, the anecdotal evidence doesn't appear positive; “I remember the heydays,” laments one particularly jaded stoner,* having just pulled a deep bong rip, his eyes beginning to glaze over. “Weed has gotten more expensive everywhere and I couldn’t tell you why.” He explains that it’s not the price that’s changing, it’s the size. “There are still some bastions of hope out there, if you know where to look. It’s the people who don’t buy often who you worry about [getting ripped off].” Others I spoke to* unanimously agreed with this bleak assessment.

All the evidence suggests the tinnie may be threatened by shrinkflation: a sneakier form of inflation in which the price of a product stays the same, but the size of the product decreases, leaving unknowing consumers worse off. New Zealanders should be appalled - it represents a wrecking ball to a sacred institution of Aotearoa drug culture. The tinnie always has been, and always should be, one gram.

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But there is still hope. The government could take the opportunity to extend an olive branch to the New Zealand drug community that it has continuously let down. I would go as far as arguing that there is a moral imperative for government intervention in the tinnie market. Such a move would be unprecedented. But we live in unprecedented times. If this country can't stand up for the sacred tinnie, do we truly stand for anything?

Stoners the country over will have rejoiced at the news of the $350 cost-of-living payment. $350 amounts to 17 tinnies with $10 to spare, which could cover a pack of Clear Eyes. But critics have argued the payment is nothing more than a stopgap solution, and $350 will be very quickly whisked away by rising prices. So, I propose that in a similar fashion to the recent fuel and public transport subsidies, the government needs to directly address the pressures faced by ordinary Kiwis at the local drug dealer's. The government should launch a full inquiry immediately, and subsidise tinnies to ensure they are all fat, and there is no less than a gram of weed in each one.

The 2023 election is looming, and inflation is one of the foremost issues in New Zealand politics; a tinnie subsidy would no doubt prove popular with voters. Analysis shows that around half of the Aotearoa voter-base has used illicit substances at least once. And recent Newshub-Reid Research polls point to a potential neck and neck race between the major parties. Put simply, a tinnie subsidy has the potential to swing the balance of the next election. The New Zealand public has been battered in recent months by the cost-of-living crisis and deserve swift government action to combat the tinnie crisis. *To protect the identity of those willing to speak truth to power on the tinnie crisis, the sources referred to in this article shall remain anonymous.

*

g e d i i G u G

JULY + AUG + OCT 2022

‘Strange Universe’ with Parquet Courts, Marlins Dreaming + more Where? The Powerstation When? Friday, July 22nd Cost? $75

Ha The Unclear Where? Whammy Bar When? Saturday, August 6th Cost? $25

Nadia Reid & Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Where? Town Hall When? Sunday, July 24th Cost? $75

Die! Die! Die! ‘This Is Not An Island Anymore’ Album release tour Where? Whammy Bar When? Saturday, August 20th Cost? $30

* TĀMAKI MAKAURAU - AKL

Reb Fountain Where? Town Hall When? Friday, July 29th Cost? $70

Aldous Harding Where? Auckland Town Hall When? Wednesday, October 26th Cost? $75

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WHAT'S ON

JULY + AUG + SEP 2022

EXHIBITION

Declaration: A Pacific Feminist Agenda Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Now - July 31st

WHAT'S ON

WHAT'S ON

Free!

A collection of feminist works from across the Pacific. Central themes are climate change, tino rangatiratanga, activism and social justice. Major commissions as well as rarely seen pieces are on display - sourced from both private and institutional collections.

Featuring Jasmine Togo-Brisby, Marti Friedlander, Jessicoco Hansell, Taloi Havini and more.

MARKET

Auckland Zinefest

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Saturday, July 23rd

WHAT'S ON

Free!

Zine makers from around Aotearoa gather under one roof for the annual celebration of underground poetry, art, comics, illustrations and photography. This is a space where creators can freely share ideas.

Remember to bring cash!

AKL - TĀMAKI MAKAURAU

Dawn Raids

ASB Waterfront Theatre

WHAT'S ON

THEATRE

Aug 16th - Sept 3rd $30 Earlybird

A visceral look at a shameful part of NZ history where a community was scapegoated.

Two hours, with interval.

Whānau Mārama - New Zealand International Film Festival The Civic, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Hollywood Avondale

WHAT'S ON

FILM

WHAT'S ON

The Pacific Underground Theatre Collective revisit Oscar Knightley’s contemporary classic 25 years on - and in the wake of the formal apology.

28th July - 7th Aug

$18.50 - 10 trip passes available.

Hosted at two old-school Tāmaki venues - The Hollywood Avondale & The Civic, as well as the Wynyard Quarter’s ASB Waterfront Theatre. Make an evening out of it.

WHAT'S ON

NZ’s flagship film festival is back in Auckland after two years. A curation of local and international films. Debate’s picks are: Kāinga, Meet Me in the Bathroom, Muru, and The Stranger.

4 ISSUE 5

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Anxiety

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Hallucinate

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Interracial

Need a doctor?

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With our online and in-clinic service you get access to: After hours and weekend appointments Free repeat prescriptions for enrolled patients Coming soon: All your health data on your phone (including medical certificates!)

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Want to see your work in debate?

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Head to:

www.debatemag.com/contribute

autsa re-o week 2nd June 2022

Application for: Spatial Design Paper: Spatial Design Practice II - SPAD612 AUT ID: 14875707

18-22 july

Kia Ora, My name is Charlie and I am a graphic designer. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, majoring in Graphic Design. I am currently studying Whakairo Māori wood carving at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

My work is primarily focused on ethics that are true to the moral of community, identity, the whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Using my skills and knowledge, I help tell the stories of our communities.

I am looking to pursue my interest in urban design. I hope to share ideas and contribute to designing culturally conscious and sustainable community spaces. My practice as a graphic designer is hugely fulfilling but I have always held an interest in the spaces created around us and designing for community. It's important to consider who we are designing urban spaces for and to have essential and diverse communities authentically represented within these designs. Taking a spatial design paper at AUT will assist in pursuing my ambition of contributing to Aotearoa's continued progression as we design our cities for the future.

Please find a link to my portfolio below.

Kia ora rawa atu.

Ngā mihi, Charlie Ratahi McFarland Portfolio: charlieratahi.cargo.site

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MEXICAN NIGHT

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RIDE 4 A PRIZE

TUE 19 JULY | 6PM

WED 20 JULY | 6PM

KARAOKE NIGHT

THU 21 JULY | 6PM

MON 18 JULY | 6PM

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Y2K MOVIES

MON 18 JULY | 4PM

CARTOON PUB QUIZ

RETRO PARTY

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CLUBS DAYS

ARCADE GAMES CAMPUS KAI LIVE DJ SETS

@ UR CAMPUS

@ VESBAR

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