Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Political Parties Chasing the Gang Vote


Press Release Libertarianz War on Drugs

Political Parties Chasing the Gang Vote

"History teaches us that wherever there is a great demand for a product and whenever government makes it illegal, then inevitably a black market will appear to supply the demand," says Libertarianz Deregulation of Health spokesman Dr. Richard Goode. "The price of the product rises dramatically and the opportunity for huge - and illegal - profits is obvious. Criminal gangs love the situation, making millions, making me wonder why Jim Anderton, Muriel Newman, and Craig McNair wish to reward gangs in this way."

Goode says that the continued calls to 'get tough' on methamphetamine manufacturers serve only to leave the production of 'P' in the hands of criminal gangs. "Every time a politician announces a crackdown on drugs, there are celebrations at gang headquarters," says Goode. "Legislating to give a multi-million dollar industry exclusively to one particular group is nothing short of an election bribe - worth an estimated 21,000 votes - and while the situation endures the number of gang members and affiliates will continue to increase."

Ironically, only the usually loony Greens have anything remotely sensible to say about 'P'. Nandor Tanczos proposes that education will reduce demand by enabling adults to make an informed choice about their use of methamphetamine. "True, of course," says Goode, "but Libertarianz says that taxpayers should not be paying for such an education." The Libertarianz party feels that the education Newman, Anderton, and McNair actually need is a history lesson. "In 1920s America, alcohol was made illegal by Prohibition. The result was the birth of organised crime; criminals jumped at the chance to supply the demand for liquor, the streets became battlegrounds, the criminals bought off law enforcement and judges, and adulterated booze blinded and killed people. Civil rights were trampled in the hopeless attempt to keep people from drinking."

"Today's war on methamphetamine is a re-run of Prohibition," says Goode, "a human catastrophe all over again. It is about time the government learnt the lesson of history, and put the lucrative trade in drugs back in the hands of decent, law-abiding citizens - where it belongs."

END


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.