The use of recreational drugs is fraught with risk - with users putting their lives at risk, substances being missold on the black market, and the potential for users to dealt with through the criminal justice system.
Pharmacist Dr Rhys Ponton is a senior lecturer in the University of Auckland School of Pharmacy.
He says much of this risk comes from the unhelpful prohibition of substances and legislation struggling to keep up with new drug types and technologies.
His work explores the risks of recreational drugs with and how to reduce harm through legislation changes and drug checking. Dr Rhys Ponton speaks to Kathryn Ryan.
