FIVE-YEAR DRUG STRATEGY LAUNCHED BY GOVT

Wellington, July 21 - A Government plan to combat drug abuse and prevent
drug-related harm was launched by Associate Health Minister Roger Sowry
today.

The National Drug Policy deals with tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

Mr Sowry said tobacco and alcohol were New Zealand's two big public health
killers, but there was a need to address the growth of illicit and other
drugs and the problems they created.

``Chronic cannabis use or glue sniffing can lead to people alienating
themselves from society, and education, work and social opportunities are
lost. Using illicit drugs will also lead to trouble with the police and
involvement in the criminal justice system,'' Mr Sowry said in a statement.

``Drug use is an issue that affects all levels of our society and imposes
serious health and economic costs on all New Zealanders.''

The report said about 5000 people died each from the effects of tobacco and
alcohol.

The five-year strategy will bring together government and non-government
agencies that work with drug abuse and provides a framework for a common
goal.

Mr Sowry said it made sense for all these groups to coordinate the way they
delivered services.

``The Government's main priority for action on illicit drugs is to reduce
the widespread use of cannabis and use of other drugs.

``In particular, we want to see a reduction in the number of young people
using cannabis, those at-risk, pregnant women and Maori.''

One of the policy's goals was to prevent a hard drugs market becoming
established in New Zealand.

Mr Sowry said as well as focusing on controlling the supply of drugs, the
policy aimed to reduce the demand for drugs and put in place effective
health services to treat people who ended up developing drug problems.

The Government had established a special committee of cabinet ministers to
oversee the policy and recommend new drug-related initiatives.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)