ANDERTON OPENS CAMPAIGN WITH ANTI-DRUGS POLICY

Politicians are getting soft on drugs because they want to be seen as
fashionable, says Progressive Coalition leader Jim Anderton.

Deputy Prime Minister Mr Anderton launched the new party's election campaign
at the weekend, standing side-by-side with veteran crooner Sir Howard
Morrison to sing Pokarekare Ana and jointly attack drugs.

Mr Anderton said yesterday that if he were part of the new government, as
Prime Minister Helen Clark has promised he will be, then an across-the-board
anti-drugs strategy would be a cornerstone commitment.

"Drugs are fashionable. Political parties take polls and do focus groups.
Then they conclude that they don't want to risk being seen as unfashionable.

"The Progressive Coalition doesn't do polls.

"We don't mind if we're out of step with what they're saying at dance
parties. We just want to tell it like it is."

About 200 supporters cheered Mr Anderton on Saturday, especially his attacks
on the "indulgent and irresponsible" Alliance Party, which he left amid
internal bickering earlier this year.

He said his party would push for special penalties for criminals who
supplied drugs to children, would work with principals to get drugs out of
schools, and would strengthen drug rehabilitation programmes in prisons.

"For some reason, at the same time as New Zealand is running anti-smoking
tobacco campaigns we are also sending out messages that it's all right to
smoke marijuana. Smoking marijuana is at least as harmful as smoking
tobacco."

Sir Howard endorsed Mr Anderton as a pragmatic leader, and echoed his
opposition to drugs, saying the problem was rife among children.

Mr Anderton also had to take the leadership in the singing of Pokarekara
Ana, as ill health had weakened Sir Howard's voice.