Press Release :
26 July 1999
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ALCP say Drugs Educators need "educating"

In the wake of the school trustees conference in Christchurch, Cannabis Party advocates said most drug-educators appear to have their heads in the sand and should start taking notice of the "harm reduction" evidence of the 1998 Parliamentary Inquiry into Cannabis.

A Recent Auckland University drug survey has confirmed the ALCP's belief that PROHIBITION DOESN'T WORK - Marijuana uptake was rising despite costly ; invasive "zero tolerance" measures; tobacco and youth is also on the increase, and everyone knows about the "binge drinking trend", said policy analyst Kevin O'Connell.

Parliament's Health Committee Inquiry significantly found that the youth of NZ are not convinced by anti-drug messages based on double standards, "and that is why drugs and disrespect for authority are on the up and up". The inquiry's principal health recommendation was that "government review the appropriateness of existing policy on cannabis and its use, and reconsider the legal status."

"Yet the anti-drug groups don't seem to be cognisant of the conclusions of the report", said Blair Anderson, Christchurch Electorate Strategist. Mainstream media too appear to be unable to provide commentary on the implications of "barriers to effective health promotion".

"People who can't honestly use their brains are not the right ones to be prancing around our schools misinforming youth and getting published misinforming adults" say O'Connell and Anderson. "When elected, the ALCP will do a much better job of 'drug education' for a fraction of the current millions poured into counter productive interventions."

While society does nothing to reform the ruthless imprisonment of medicinal cannabis users (see http://www.alcp.org/nevyates.htm ), young people reject the system that can behave in such a disgusting manner. The gross injustice needs to addressed and remedied, say the candidates, if we are to truly look after the younger generations.

The party analysts have linked bullying to the prohibition paradigm and culture of alienation and insecurity. It is wrong of the state to send the message that it is OK to discriminate against and bully marijuana users. "but around $200,000 is squandered in this hypocritical and disrespectful law every day".

ALCP say the key to the youth crisis is to step back, be honest and recognise that prohibition is failed, that most kids scorn anti-drug indoctrination, and healthier integrated alternatives need to be pursued with vigour and certainty.

However, systemic denial of the need for urgent reform was a critical "mental health problem" afflicting the community, said Mr O'Connell- "manifesting in very negative ways." Despite all the evidence in the world that prohibition is wrong, nothing is done by the powers that be and drug-prevention groups to level the playing field. One solution would be to integrate Legalise Cannabis Party MP's into the new Government.

The ALCP show firm intent to rebuild the community on an evidence based platform of legal regulation and restoration of respect for sacred rights of the individual.

ENDS

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