Le’aufa’amulia Asenati

Lole-Taylor

Spokesperson for Social Policy/Welfare
February 28, 2014

Legal High Shops Appear Normal to Children

A new generation of young people in this country are getting the wrong message about synthetic drug taking, says New Zealand First.

“Kiwi children will grow up thinking this sort of drug taking is normal when they see a synthetic drugs shop next to their favourite ice-cream or toy shop,” saysSpokesperson for social policy Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor.

“This is part of a whole community problem, this new drug taking culture is affecting everyone,” she says.

While the Psychoactive Substances Act was an important step in limiting the availability of legal highs, Mrs Lole-Taylor would like to see an end to the sale of the drugs.

“The industry is a burden on New Zealand, causing health problems and increasing antisocial behaviour.

“The presence of shops selling legal highs is impacting on other businesses and local councils are becoming concerned about the safety of their communities,” she says.

“Alcohol is already taking a toll on our society, so why would we allow legal highs to add further problems? We will all pay for it in one way or another – either as taxpayers, business owners or family members.

“I have personally witnessed the damage legal highs are already doing to various communities around the country, and more and more people are coming to my office to express their concerns.

“The legal highs shops are a plague on the community, they need to be stamped out before it is too late,” Mrs Lole-Taylor says.

ENDS

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