Pubdate: Mon, 03 Apr 2000
Source: Gisborne Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2000, The Gisborne Herald Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Contact:  PO Box 1143, Gisborne, New Zealand
Website: http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz

UNITED NATIONS HITS OUT OVER CANNABIS USE

For years now we have been getting bombarded by people telling us that
there ’s nothing wrong with marijuana. And for just as long we’ve been
warning families that the so-called harmless weed is the last thing we
need in the Gisborne-East Coast district.

Why? Simply because it destroys young lives. Youngsters are
particularly vulnerable just at the time when they need all their wits
about them as they try to make their way in the world.

The latest report of the International Narcotics Control Board of the
United Nations backs up what we have been saying.

Its annual report, released only last month, praises the national
action plan on drugs which was released by the Shipley administration
a year ago.

It also welcomes last year’s legislation introducing controls on
benzo-diazepines, thus bringing New Zealand into full compliance with
a 1971 international convention.

But it rates cannabis the most widely abused narcotic in Oceania;
comments on New Zealand being used as a transit point for heroin and
cocaine; and suggests LSD is used more widely in this country than is
generally recognised.

The UN body commends New Zealand for banning drug-smoking
paraphernalia and for advocating more research and information about
drug problems among Maori.

It notes that the national action plan reaffirms that cannabis will
not be legalised or decriminalised and that ‘‘ecstasy’’ has been
reclassified as a class A drug.

‘‘Cannabis continues to be the most widely abused narcotic drug in
Oceania.

‘‘The illicit cultivation of cannabis plants in Australia appears to
be expanding.’’

The board says Australia is also a key market for cannabis cultivated
in Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.

It is concerned at increased use of heroin across the Tasman, stating,
‘‘In Australia the average age of first-time use of heroin has fallen
below 18 years. In some areas the average age of first-time use is in
the mid-teens and the heroin death rate is increasing.’’

Decriminalise marijuana? You’ve got to be joking! 
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MAP posted-by: Derek Rea