MAGISTRATE WANTS ACTION AGAINST CANNABIS SUPPLY TO CHILDREN

The lack of drug dealers charged with selling cannabis to children was mind
boggling, a Darwin magistrate said today.

Magistrate Daynor Trigg made an apparent criticism of police for an
unacceptable lack of action against the supply of drugs to children.

He told the Darwin Children's Court that 75 per cent of juveniles he dealt
with stole when they were under the influence of cannabis or to make money
to buy the drug.

Yet he had never dealt with anyone charged with supplying cannabis to
juveniles.

"In the nine years that I have been presiding, I am yet to remember an
occasion when I have dealt with any person who has been charged with
supplying cannabis or drugs to a juvenile," Mr Trigg said.

"I find that an amazing and appalling situation.

"It is clear that there are adults out there who are supplying juveniles on
a regular and ongoing basis.

"For not one person to come before me with such a charge I find
unacceptable and mind boggling."