SIMICH TAKEN TO TASK FOR MARIJUANA COMMENT

Police Minister Clem Simich was taken to task yesterday by a former
undercover policeman for saying in Parliament that marijuana was
harmful, while at the same time allowing undercover policemen to use
the drug.

Mr Simich, in reply to a question on Tuesday by Te Tai Hauauru MP Tuku
Morgan, said he firmly believed that people who used marijuana were
unwise and were likely to damage themselves.

The former undercover agent, whose name has been suppressed by the
High Court, said Mr Simich was being hypocritical if he did not act
to stop use of the drug among undercover police as part of their
training and in the field.

Police policy is for undercover agents to simulate smoking in the
field unless smoking is unavoidable.

A spokesman said yesterday that Mr Simich would not enlarge on what
was his personal opinion, and could not comment on police operational
matters.

The former agent claimed officers were required to smoke marijuana
every day during their training to go undercover to familiarise
themselves with its affects and to build up tolerance.

Agents did not simulate smoking marijuana in the field because it was
"the signature of an undercover agent and they know that if they are
caught it is a death sentence".

He said some agents were making evidential statements when they were
under the influence of marijuana and mistakes were being made. Agents
were then forced to lie in court to cover up.

The former agent, who is a spokesman for a group of more than 50
former policemen who are claiming exemplary damages from the police
for stress and addiction, said a recent survey showed a 20 to 50 per
cent rate of drug addiction among undercover agents.

Police national headquarters CIB manager Detective Superintendent Bill
Bishop said there were no plans to change the training of undercover
agents.

He said smoking was not taught, but "risk minimisation" was. This was
supported by psychological and medical counselling before, during and
after deployment.