CANNABIS

Parliamentarians who are following the public debate over the place of
cannabis in our society will have become alerted to the strong stance the
education sector leaders are taking opposing any change to legislation that
would make it easier for cannabis to be more available and accessible to
the young people of New Zealand. Principals of schools are rapidly
gathering the support of a coalition of groups who can see what will happen
if changes to the law are made. Many people cannot believe that the debate
is taking place given the obvious negative consequences of freeing up the
present legislation. Proponents of change do not seem to understand and
appreciate the very significant harm cannabis use does to the metabolism of
young people in health terms. The drug does have profound and devastating
effects on many young learners as they struggle to make sense of life
through a cannabis fog which in turn robs them of ambition, and debilitates
their learning and their relationships. It often brings about psychosis and
emotional stunting as well. The shunting down effect of proposed law
changes would legitimatise cannabis use and give the green light to young
people who would see drug taking as acceptable behaviour, despite the
obvious negative effects on their maturation processes.

The New Zealand Catholic Education Office adds its voice in strongly
supporting principals and the education sector leaders in calling on
Parliament to abandon any legislative changes in the cannabis area.

Patrick J. Lynch
Executive director,
NZ Catholic Education Office,
Wellington

[Abridged - Otago Daily Times Editor]