A new report published by police canvasses changes to policing since the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act in 2019.
“The good news is these changes have led to a decrease in prosecutions in favour of warnings and other referrals.
“Discretion is by its nature inconsistent, with the highest burden of that inconsistency falling on Māori and young people.
“There is already a very strong health approach when it comes to people who are addicted or use particular drugs.