Media Release
25 September 2003

Wage War On P Drugs Urges Nz First

New Zealand First is calling for the Government to wage all out war on the manufacture, distribution, and use of methamphetamines.

“The Government has got to provide the resources and lead the fight against the abuse of amphetamine-type drugs,“ said Youth Affairs spokesperson, Craig McNair.

“While the Government sits on its hands New Zealand has chalked up another odious international rating as one of the world’s highest users of methamphetamines. The effects of these drugs on crime and violence have never been clearer but it is like we have given up the fight.

“The subtlety of the effects of these narcotics on the brain and in speeding up the ageing process are not understood by many users but the devastation in our communities and the growth of criminal gangs certainly are,” Mr McNair said.

“New Zealand First is calling on the Government to take the politics out of P and introduce a four-pronged attack on this modern-day scourge.

“It is time that we as a nation say enough is enough and take a leaf out of Murupara’s book and declare our communities drug free.

“This will require a co-ordinated community response (CR), comprehensive drug education (E), Policing (P) provided with the resources and the powers to bust the gangs and close down the labs, and treatment (T) to halt recidivism. Such a programme (CREPT) is vital for our future,” said Mr McNair.

ENDS

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