Pubdate: Fri, 02 Nov 2007
Source: Gisborne Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2007 The Gisborne Herald Co. Ltd
Contact:  http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/home.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/924
Author: Martin Gibson

COMMUNITY IS URGED TO ENGAGE ON DRUG ISSUE

OUR politicians shy away from talking about cannabis because there is 
less political mileage in pot than P and party pills - but that 
should not stop us taking the issue seriously as a community.

That view by executive director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation 
Ross Bell has garnered support from men and women who sort out the 
problems that come from the amount of the drug grown and smoked in 
the Tairawhiti district.

The issue has been raised by the foundation to get it back on the 
agenda after four years of silence by politicians, Mr Ross says in an 
article in today's Gisborne Herald.

It is this engagement with the issue within our community that will 
free people from problematic drug use, says Nigal McRoberts, the unit 
manager of Awhina House, Gisborne's main drug treatment facility.

"It's about how we voice our concern and work out why people do not 
see what a problem cannabis is in our community.

"Mr Bell is right to say we need to get the issue back on the table - 
we need to have a really good debate around how people feel about 
cannabis and we need for it to start pretty much immediately.

"We need people like Meng Foon, Nona Aston, a few doctors, community 
leaders with a few clues to all join in and be vocal about the issue 
so people understand that the debate is coming from within our 
community. We can make a thousand programmes but, unless there is 
discussion from within the community about what is needed and how it 
is accessed, it's of limited use."

Our questioning of the Ministers of Health and Justice and spokesmen 
in the Labour, National and Green Parties has drawn just one response 
after a day and a half - National's health spokesman, Tony Ryall.

"The National Party does not support decriminalisation of cannabis - 
we are concerned about the social and health consequences of this drug.

"There is no doubt that drug rehabilitation in NZ needs greater 
priority, but this view does not extend to legalising cannabis."

He cited the recent front-page apology by The Independent on Sunday 
newspaper in Britain this year for its 10-year campaign to legalise cannabis.

"There are now more than 22,000 people a year, almost half under the 
age of 18, being treated for cannabis addiction in Britain.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart