DELAMERE DENOUNCES DRUG HYPOCRISY

It was hypocritical for adults, including politicians, to abuse alcohol but
condemn young people for using marijuana, Customs Minister Tuariki Delamere
told the United Nations today.

Mr Delamere, who is also Associate Health Minister, was in New York speaking
at a United Nations General Assembly special session on drug problems.

"If we are going to stand a chance in convincing our young people about the
risk of drug use we need to address the hypocrisy that young people see when
adults, including politicians, occasionally openly and legally abuse alcohol
and then turn around and condemn youth for using marijuana," Mr Delamere said.

Mr Delamere's son, Jean-Paul, has been convicted on cannabis charges and Mr
Delamere has admitted using the drug when he was young.

Providing honest information was one of the keys to reducing drug-related
harm, particularly for young people who might experiment because of stories
that played down the risks or glamorised drugs, Mr Delamere said.

There was a need to better communicate to young people the dangers of using
any type of drug, including alcohol and cigarettes.

The number of people on methadone treatment had increased considerably
during the past three years, Mr Delamere said. Many had reduced both their
drug use and criminal activity and had improved their health and stabilised
their lives

Introducing needle exchange 10 years ago had helped prevent the spread of
HIV virus and New Zealand's infection rate of less than 1 percent was among
the lowest in the world.

Mr Delamere said much more had to be done to help Maoris, who were
disproportionately represented in drug statistics. It was heartening to
hear people at the Healing Our Spirits conference in New Zealand this year
saying it was time for Maoris to take responsibility for drug-use prevention
among their own people.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett