2nd September 2002

Youth Week A Chance For Constructive Discussion

This year's 'Youth Week' is timely given the recent publicity over youth offending, says National's Youth Affairs spokesman Simon Power.

"One of the goals of the week is to celebrate the positive aspects of being young, but there also needs to be some serious discussion over the problems facing young people and their communities.

"The last few weeks have seen some shocking cases of young people who've gone off the rails. Teenagers have been charged with murder, rape, and sexual offences and now another youth has been killed in Palmerston North over the weekend.

"The increasing use of alcohol and drugs and a persistently high youth suicide rate means it isn't easy being a young person today.

"Youth Week has some admirable aims, like encouraging young people to speak out and influence adult views. I just hope it is a constructive week," said Mr Power.

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