SHIPLEY FEARS INCREASE IN USE OF CANNABIS LEGALISED

National leader Jenny Shipley has hit out at those advocating
decriminalising cannabis saying such a move would lead to greater drug
abuse.

At a public meeting in Blenheim last night Mrs Shipley said as a former
Health and Welfare Minister she had seen the direct consequences of the
drug.

By freeing up cannabis use, the pool of people using it would only increase.
She said removing a criminal conviction from the use of cannabis sent a
muddled message to young people by saying it was wrong but somehow okay at
the same time.

Mrs Shipley accused some MPs of being irresponsible over the issue saying
they were doing nothing but harm to a generation of young people by saying
it was okay to use cannabis.

She suggested exploring the idea of a special drug court where offenders
were first given the chance to go straight in order to stave off any
conviction.

This had been tried in the United States and Australia and was similar to a
suspended sentence where drug free milestones had to be achieved.

Mrs Shipley said it was hard to believe the country could be so lacking in
foresight that while it tried to reduce dependence on alcohol and cigarettes
it was contemplating relaxing drug laws.

The health select committee is currently calling for submissions on the
legal status of cannabis and ways of minimising its harmful effects. The
Opposition leader welcomed the stand of Marlborough mayor Gerald Hope in
opposing decriminalisation and also took pleasure that the recent youth
parliament had voted against it.

Kaikoura MP Lynda Scott said many New Zealanders were confused about the
status of cannabis, making the job for police, schools and parents more
difficult.