Dr. Christopher Wilkins, B.M.S (Hons),  M.M.S (Distinct),  PhD (Waikato)

Dr. Chris Wilkins joined SHORE, Massey University, in July 2002 from Auckland University where he worked at the Alcohol and Public Health Research Unit (APHRU). During his time at APHRU he managed the National Household Drug Survey 1998 & 2001 Comparison project. Dr. Wilkins is s senior researcher at SHORE and leads the illegal drugs research team. He played a central role in the development of NZ-ADAM (New Zealand Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring system) and IDMS (Illicit Drug Monitoring System) research programmes in New Zealand. He is currently leading the IDMS. Dr. Wilkins was awarded a 2003 Fast-Start Marsden grant to investigate organised crime in illegal drug markets in New Zealand. His current research interests are methamphetamine, trends in illegal drug use, the characteristics of illegal drug markets, the drugs/crime nexus, drug research methodologies, illegal drug policy and New Institutional Economics. Dr. Wilkins has published articles in a number of academic journals and has reviewed for Drug & Alcohol Review, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and Journal of Quantitative Criminology. He has acted as a reviewer for the Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand and Royal Society of New Zealand.

Email: c.wilkins@massey.ac.nz

Seminar

Dr Chris Wilkins presented findings on Criminal Justice Outcomes for Cannabis Use in New Zealand, 1990-2008 at venues in Auckland and Wellington, 3 & 4 November . Two reports summarise the data presented in the seminar: National Police Apprehensions for Cannabis Offences in New Zealand, 1999-2008 and Conviction and Sentencing for Cannabis Use Offences in New Zealand, 1990-2008.


Recent Releases

2008 IDMS - findings released 11 June 2009

The 2008 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS) report presents findings from the 2008 IDMS and compares the 2008 findings to the 2007 and 2006 IDMS findings. The 2008 IDMS interviewed 404 frequent drug users, (up from the 324 interviewed in 2007) in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch using purposive sampling and snowballing. The 2008 IDMS sample included 137 frequent methamphetamine users, 135 frequent ecstasy (MDMA) users and 132 frequent injecting drug users. The interviews with frequent drug users were contextualised with secondary data sources of drug use, such as drug seizure statistics, calls to the Alcohol and Drug Helpline, admissions to CADS drug treatment services and National Household Drug Survey data. The project report and Executive Summary can be downloaded below:

RECENT TRENDS IN ILLEGAL DRUG USE IN NEW ZEALAND, 2006-2008
Findings from the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS) (full report) and Executive Summary

See below for list of earlier IDMS reports

Recent Trends in Illegal Drug use in New Zealand, 2005-2007: Findings from the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS)

Trends in Drug Use in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch: Findings from the three site locations of the 2006 and 2007 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS)

Recent Trends in Illegal Drug markets in New Zealand, 2005-2007: Findings from the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS)

Publications
Journal Articles and Book Chapters
National Survey Reports
Technical Reports
Conference Papers
Seminar Presentations


Journal Articles, Edited Books and Book Chapters

Bouchard, M., Wilkins, C. (eds) (in press) Illegal Markets and the Economics of Organized Crime. Routledge

Bouchard M, Wilkins C (2010) Illegal markets and the economics of organized crime. In Bouchard M, Wilkins C eds. Illegal Markets and the Economics of Organized Crime.  Routledge, London, pp.1-4. SB51

Wilkins, C. & Sweetsur, P. (2010) Differences in harm from legal BZP/TFMPP party pills between North Island and South Island users in New Zealand: A case of effective industry self regulation? International Journal of Drug Policy 21, 86-90. A246

Wilkins, C. & Sheridan, J. (2010) The ‘P’ problem in New Zealand. In Pates, R. & Riley, D. (Eds.) Interventions for Amphetamine Misuse, pp. 129-147. Blackwell Publishing, West Sussex, UK. SB49

Bouchard, M. & Wilkins, C. (2009) Illegal markets and the economics of organized crime. Global Crime 10(1-2), 1-5. A235

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P. (2008) Tracking the availability of drugs in New Zealand: implications for policy response. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand 34, 163-171. A234

Wilkins C., Sweetsur P. and Girling M. (2008) Patterns of benzylpiperazine/ trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (BZP/TFMPP) party pill use and adverse effects in a population sample in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review 27, 633-639. A224

Wilkins C. and Sweetsur P. (2008) Trends in population drug use in New Zealand: Findings from national household surveying of drug use in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2006. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121, 61-71. A216

 Wilkins C., Girling M. and Sweetsur P. (2007) The prevalence of use, dependency and harms of legal party pills containing BZP and TFMPP in New Zealand. Journal of Substance Use 12 (2), 1-12 A210

Wilkins, C. and Sweetsur, P. (2007) Individual dollar expenditure and earnings from cannabis in New Zealand. International Journal of Drug Policy, 18, 187-193. A200.

Sheridan, J., Butler, R., Wilkins, C., Russell, B. (2007) Legal piperazine-containing party pills – a new trend in substance misuse. Drug and Alcohol Review 26 335-343. A199

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P. and Casswell, S. (2006) Recent population trends in amphetamine use in New Zealand: Comparisons of findings from national household drug surveying in 1998, 2001 and 2003. New Zealand Medical Journal 119:1244, http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/119-1244/2285/. A190

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P. (2006) Exploring the structure of the illegal market for Cannabis. De Economist, 154:3, DOI 10.1007/s10645-006-9029-7. A189

Wilkins,C. (2006) Monitoring drugs in New Zealand. Of Substance, 4:2, p.29.

Wilkins C., Reilly, J., Pledger M. and Casswell S. (2005) Estimating the dollar value of the illicit market for cannabis in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review, 24, 227-234. A169

Wilkins C., Reilly J. and Casswell, S. (2005) Cannabis ‘tinny’houses in New Zealand; implications for the use of cannabis and other drugs in New Zealand. Addiction, 100, 971-980. A168

Wilkins, C., Reilly, J., Rose, E., Casswell, S. (2005) 'Characteristics of Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) use in New Zealand: Informing Policy Responses' Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 25, 142-153. A170


Wilkins C, Pledger M, Bhatta K, Casswell S. (2004) Patterns of amphetamine use in New Zealand: findings from the 2001 National Drug Survey. New Zealand Medical Journal 117, 796- . A155

Wilkins, C. & Casswell, S. (2003) Cannabis cultivation and organised crime in New Zealand. Contemporary Drug Problems, 30 (Winter), 757-777. A157

Wilkins C, Casswell, S., Moewaka-Barnes M, Pledger M. (2003) A Pilot of a Computer Assisted Cell-Phone Interview (CACI) Methodology to Survey Respondents in Households without Telephones About Alcohol Use. Drug and Alcohol Review 22, 221-225. A151

Wilkins, C., Bhatta, K., Pledger, M. & Casswell, S. (2003) Ecstacy use in New Zealand: Findings from the 1998 and 2001 national drug surveys.New Zealand Medical Journal 116, 383-393. A147

Wilkins, C. (2002) Designer amphetamines in New Zealand: policy challenges and initiatives. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand 19, 14-27. A150

Wilkins, C., Bhatta, K, and Casswell, S. (2002) The Effectiveness of Cannabis Eradication Operations in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review,  21, 369-374. A143

Wilkins C., Bhatta, K and Casswell S. (2002) The emergence of amphetamine use in New Zealand: findings from the 1998 and 2001 National Drug Surveys. New Zealand Medical Journal vol 115:1166, 256-263. A142

Wilkins, C., Bhatta, K, and Casswell, S. (2002) A Demand Side Estimate of the Financial Turnover of the Cannabis Black Market in New Zealand. Drug and Alcohol Review 21, 145-151. A137

Wilkins, C. and Casswell S. (2002) The Cannabis Black Market and the Case for the Legalisation of Cannabis in New Zealand. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand Issue 18, 31-43. A139

Wilkins, C. (2001) A New Institutional Economic Approach to the Reliability of Street-Level Drug Transactions. Contemporary Drug Problems, 28, 679-693. A136

Wilkins, C. (2001) Cannabis Transactions and Law Reform. Agenda 8(4), 321-332. A132

Wilkins, C. and Scrimgeour, F. (2000) Economics and the Legalisation of Drugs. Agenda, 7(4), 333-344.

National Survey Reports

Wilkins C, Casswell S, Bhatta K, Pledger, M. (2002) Drug Use in New Zealand: National Surveys Comparison 1998 & 2001.  Auckland:  Alcohol & Public Health Research Unit.


Technical Reports

Wilkins, C., Girling, M., Sweetsur, P. and Butler, R. (2005) Cannabis and Other Illicit Drug Trends in New Zealand, 2005: Findings from the Cannabis Module of the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). November. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE) & Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University

Wilkins, C., Girling, M., Sweetsur, P. and Butler, R. (2005) Hallucinogens and Other Illicit Drug Trends in New Zealand, 2005: Findings from the Hallucinogen Module of the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE) & Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University

Wilkins, C., Girling, M., Sweetsur, P. and Butler, R. (2005) Methamphetamine and Other Illicit Drug Trends in New Zealand, 2005: Findings from the Methamphetamine Module of the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). November. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE) & Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University

Wilkins, C. and Sweetsur, P. (2005) The Dollar Value and Seizure Rates of the Illicit Markets for Amphetamine and Ecstacy in New Zealand in 2003. July. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation & Te Ropu Whariki

Wilkins, C. and Sweetsur, P. (2005) Key Findings from the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). SHORE Research Briefing. November.

Wilkins, C. and Sweetsur, P. (2005) Key Findings from the Cannabis Module of the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). SHORE Research Briefing. November.

Wilkins, C. and Sweetsur, P. (2005) Key Findings from the Hallucinogen Module of the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). SHORE Research Briefing. November.

Wilkins, C. and Sweetsur, P. (2005) Key Findings from the Methamphetamine Module of the 2005 Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). SHORE Research Briefing. November.

Wilkins, C., Sweetsur, P., Pledger, M., Reilly, J. and Casswell, S. (2005) Drug use in New Zealand: Key Results of the 2004 New Zealand Health Behaviours Survey - Drug Use. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE) & Whariki, Massey University

Wilkins C, Reilly J, Rose E, Roy D, Pledger M, Lee A (2004) The Socio-Economic Imapct of Amphetamine Type Stimulants in New Zealand: Final Report, September. Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Massey University, Auckland.

Wilkins, C., Pledger, M., Lee, A., Adams, R. and Rose, E. (2004) A Local Pilot of the New Zealand Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NZ-ADAM) System. Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE) and Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University, Auckland

Wilkins, C., Reilly, J. and Rose, E. (2004) Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in New Zealand: Secondary Analysis of the 2001 National Drug Survey. March. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation & Te Ropu Whariki, Massey University

Wilkins, C. and Rose, E. (2004) Research Briefing: The Socio-Economic Impact of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in New Zealand: Part I - Level of Use and Harms. December. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University

Wilkins, C. and Rose, E. (2004) Research Briefing: The Socio-Economic Impact of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in New Zealand: Part II - The Black Market for ATS and Use of ATS by Arrestees. December. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Putcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University

Wilkins, C. and Rose, E. (2004) Research Briefing: The Socio-Economic Impact of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in New Zealand: Part III - Future Trends in the Use and Supply of Methamphatamine. December. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University


Wilkins C, Rose E (2003) A Scoping Report on the Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS). Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation

Wilkins C, Rose E (2003) A Scoping Report on NZ-ADAM. Auckland: Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation


Conference Papers

Wilkins, C. ‘A New Institutional Economic Analysis of Organised Crime and Cannabis Cultivation in New Zealand .’ New Zealand Association of Economists Conference June 2002.

Seminar Presentations

SHORE Seminar Friday 16 January 2004
Recent changes in the methamphetamine scene in New Zealand: Findings from key informant surveys of drug enforcement officers and drug treatment workers, Chris Wilkins*, D.Trappitt, D. Sellman, S. Adamson and K. DeZwart, *Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University, Auckland

5 June 2003, Seminar to Economics Department at the Auckland University of Technology - A NIE analysis of organised crime in cananbis cultivation in New Zealand: Theory and evidence

New Zealand Police Association Annual Conference ‘Amphetamine Type Substances (ATS) in New Zealand ’ presented October 2002.

Law and Economics Association of New Zealand (LEANZ) ‘Estimating the Size of the Cannabis Market in New Zealand ’ presented September 2001.