Media Statement
For immediate release
Wednesday, 10 December, 2003

Alexander: P, lax bail laws, thugs detained with children ... take your pick

How many more innocents have to die at the hands of P-fuelled killers before this country really deals with this lethal drug and those who push it, United Future's Marc Alexander asked tonight after Coral Burrows' stepfather pleaded guilty to her murder in Masterton District Court.

"Steven Williams was already a thug; a violent criminal with 88 convictions - P turned him into a mindless killer, and turned Coral into yet another victim," Mr Alexander, United Future's law and order spokesman, said.

"And that is just one issue from this tragic case. It really is a case of 'where do we start?'

"A violent offender bailed yet again? A thug put on home detention in the family home of two young children - one of whom later died at his hand?

"It is a catalogue of disasters; a litany of the wishy-washy, hand-wringing weakness that typifies the way we deal with criminals.

"But it was the P that turned a violent lowlife into a killer.

"This drug is horrific; the consequences of its use are devastating, and we know where it comes from - the police confirm, 95 percent of it is from the gangs.

"Yet still, we pussy-foot around.

"United Future is the only party that is saying let's take the bull by the horns and deal to the gangs that are dealing to society.

"We say, they profit from peddling drugs that kill innocents, and ruin so many lives, so make them prove that their money and their possessions are legitimately sourced, or they lose them. Simple," Mr Alexander said.

Ends.

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