“While the
Government sits on a $4m surplus we have community trusts
and other groups working with our youth on suicide and drug
addiction threatened with closure due to lack of funding,”
said New Zealand First youth affairs spokesperson Craig
McNair.
“We have a huge problem with burgeoning
methamphetamine use in this country. It is not enough to
change the drug from a class B to a Class A drug, we still
have to help and support people who have been affected by
this, and other drugs.
“The closure of detox units, the
Ministry of Youth Affairs’ patch protection, the lack of
Government support of community groups working in this area,
and moves to decriminalise marijuana all provide a clear
message that the Government has given up on the drug war
and, worse still, has given up on our youth.
“Balancing
the books has become more important than investing in our
youth,” said Mr
McNair.
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