PRINCIPALS SAY 'NO' TO NANDOR

Green Party drug law-reform spokesman Nandor Tanczos is being unfairly
targeted as a drug-pusher, says his party.

Burnside High School principal Graham Stoop said yesterday that Mr
Tanczos had become personally identified with the use of cannabis, and
he would not have him in his school.

"He sets a harmful example to students," Dr Stoop said. "There's no
way he'll ever come to Burnside High School, even if he wants to."

Green Party co-leader Rod Donald said the party was "extremely
concerned" at news media coverage implying that Mr Tanczos was
promoting cannabis use to students.

"I accept that he has influence with young people, but to accuse him
of increasing drug use is unfair and unreasonable," Mr Donald said.

"We have a significant problem of cannabis and other drugs in schools,
and the problem has been getting worse for years, but all of a sudden
everyone has a scapegoat, and that's Nandor."

However, Riccarton High School principal Gary Coburn agreed with his
Burnside High counterpart.

"I would not be keen on Nandor coming to the school, because whatever
the message he's been giving, the message that comes through is that
he's pro-marijuana."

Mr Donald has sent a letter to principals and boards of trustees
spelling out the party's policy, which calls for the decriminalisation
of cannabis use by people over 18.

The party was also considering making a complaint about a newspaper
report that Mr Tanczos was targeting children, and planning to visit
schools to talk about the cannabis issue.

Shirley Boys' High School principal John Laurenson said he would
welcome Mr Tanczos in his school in the interests of more open debate
about cannabis use.

But, he said, any moves to decriminalise its use would be "insane".