GREENS WANT PM IN DRUG DEBATE

GREEN PARTY co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons challenged Prime Minister Jenny
Shipley to a public debate yesterday after Mrs Shipley raised the
sensational spectre of rampant dope-smoking under a Centre-Left Government.

Mrs Shipley launched into the onslaught in a bid to hold on to the pivotal
Coromandel seat where, according to a Dominion-UMR Insight poll published
on Monday, Ms Fitzsimons holds an eight-point lead over National MP Murray
McLean.

A Green win in Coromandel could help propel Labour into Government, if the
election nine days away produces a cliff-hanger result.

During a visit to Coromandel, Mrs Shipley warned parents about what she
called the extreme stance on cannabis of the Greens and the impact they
would have on health policy in a Centre-Left government led by Labour
Leader Helen Clark.

"The Greens may have considerable influence in the Labour-Alliance bloc and
they have found an ally in Helen Clark who supports decriminalising
cannabis," Mrs Shipley said, launching a guide for parents on the dangers
of drugs and alcohol.

"National does not want to see young people smoking dope and wasting their
lives. Labour is welcoming Greens' policies which would see people smoking
dope alongside cigarette smokers in family restaurants throughout New
Zealand," she said. "We do not want to see young people dropped out of
school, polytechnic or university, stoned and paranoid hanging around in
parks and other public areas."

In response to Ms Fitzsimons challenge, Mrs Shipley said a public debate
was already taking place.

But Ms Fitzsimons said the public would be better informed on the issue if
Mrs Shipley agreed to a public debate with her. She rejected Mrs Shipley's
claims, saying her party's policy would end the gang's stranglehold on
cannabis overnight, allow proper health education and free up police
resources.

The Greens want decriminalisation of marijuana for personal use in small
quantities.

Miss Clark said Mrs Shipley's comments were "just plain dopey".
Decriminalisation would remain a conscience issue for Labour, whatever the
position of the Greens, she said.

"Anything to do with alcohol, sex, gambling, you name it, it a conscience
issue and will remain so. There is absolutely no intention to change it."

She said she backed the advice she received as health minister a decade ago
to consider part-decriminalisation along the lines of the laws in South
Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Mrs Shipley's position conflicts with last year's recommendation by a
parliamentary select committee, chaired by National MP Brian Neeson, that
the Government review the illegal status of cannabis.

The committee - which also includes National MPs Katherine O'Regan, Roger
Maxwell and Shane Adern - found the current policy was not deterring
cannabis use.

Mrs Shipley is also at odds with Police Minister Clem Simich, who last year
urged changes to the law.

Her onslaught against the Greens follows Conservation Minister Nick Smith's
complaint to police that a sabotage handbook on the party's Web site
incited violence.

[SIDEBAR]

"Decriminalising cannabis would rot the minds of our young people, cripple
their potential and give drug dealing gangs more power in neighbourhoods
throughout the country." - Prime Minister Jenny Shipley warns against
voting for the pro-decriminalisation Greens

"That's just plain dopey." - Labour leader Helen Clark dismisses the prime
minister's concerns.