POLICE PRIORITIES

Sir,

In response to Tasman acting district commander Inspector Brian McGurk's
reply to Duncan Eddy's letter (Mailbox, December 31), I should like to know
what other "similar" events over recent times has required a police
presence of 10 officers at a peaceful gathering of 20 people.

I should also like to know what the Nelson Bays district statistics are for
violent offences committed under the influence of cannabis as the inspector
suggests these are on the increase compared with other criminal" trends.

It seems to me and many other citizens that the personal use of cannabis is
indeed a minor issue and is tying up too many resources in the police and
justice sector. Bob Hughes, Nelson

Inspector McGurk replies: "Police needed to be in a position to deal
effectively with any blatant breaches of the criminal law during the Happy
Cannabis protest. The event had received wide publicity and as Mr Hughes
claims that only 20 people turned up, that would indicate that the protest
did not appear to receive wide and popular public support. That is hardly
a problem for the police. "For some, the personal use of cannabis,
particularly by young people, is a problem.

Police, among with other agencies such as mental health providers, Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Alcohol and Drug Service, Child
Youth and Family, schools and education providers, Specialist Education
Services to name but a few, have to deal with a raft of issues, ranging
from youth suicide, behavioural disorders, criminal offending and substance
abuse that have their genesis with the use of cannabis. "Despite Mr Hughes'
claim that the personal use of cannabis is a minor issue the insidious
effects of cannabis use extend well beyond the police and justice sector."

Bob Hughes