Council Urged to ban 'legal highs' from Manurewa

The Manurewa Local Board and Manurewa Youth Council are both calling on Auckland Council to not allow the sale of so called 'legal highs' to start again in Manurewa, as hearings begin on Auckland Council's Local Approved Products Policy.

"Legal Highs have had a devastating impact on the Manurewa community, and the Manurewa Local Board and Manurewa Youth Council have led the advocacy across Auckland against the sale and supply of these drugs in our local communities." Says Manurewa Local Board Acting Chair Simeon Brown.

"The reality is that under the Psychoactive Substances Act these substances could come back to our communities if they can pass necessary approval regimes put in place by the Ministry of Health.

"Manurewa has led the debate on this issue across Auckland and Manurewa residents strongly support the urgent implementation of this policy to ensure these stores never come back to our suburbs.

1454 submissions were received across Auckland with 467 of these submissions coming from the Manurewa Local Board area.

"With almost a third of all submissions on this policy coming from Manurewa, our community has spoken loud and clear once again that these drugs should not be sold anywhere in our community.

"Our view is that these shops should not be placed in low socio-economic areas, near schools, or mental health and addiction treatment centres.

"We are pleased that this policy reflects these policy priorities and we will be asking Auckland Council to urgently adopt the policy." Says Mr Brown.

Manurewa Youth Council Chairman Kieran Henderson says that this policy is needed to reduce the availability of these substances from young people and others susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse.

"These drugs shouldn't be sold anywhere near a school, a local dairy where school children and young people meet and congregate.

"The Manurewa Youth Council strongly supports this policy as it will mean that these substances won't be able to be sold within the Manurewa Local Board area, drastically reducing the supply in South Auckland and protecting our most vulnerable communities.

The Manurewa Local Board will be speaking in support of their submission at 10:50am at the Auckland Town Hall Council Chambers.

ENDS

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