Press Release: AOTEAROA LEGALISE CANNABIS PARTY
30 September 2009

Hair drug-testing "dangerous"
=============================

Expensive hair drug tests being marketed to New Zealand parents are intrusive and their usefulness is highly questionable. The ALCP believe drug testing will only sow more mistrust and alienation between parents and children.

The tests can not be used for evidential purposes because they do not meet US Federal, Australian or NZ standards.

The real problem is that cannabis prohibition has become a chronically dishonest and failed regime, putting youth at serious risk in NZ.

The NZ context of bullying and persecuting people for cannabis has created enormous disrespect for authority and so-called family values. Policing the cannabis black market has also placed a huge burden on taxpayers and our justice system, and if anything has made cannabis far more popular than it would be if legal.

"The atmosphere of double standards, hypocrisy and injustice is toxic", said ALCP president, Kevin O’Connell. "No wonder the most at-risk youth are not listening."

The most effective primary early intervention would be a strong R18 message which would be delivered by allowing adults to grow their own cannabis. This consistent approach would greatly clarify relative harms of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and everything else. It would also enable much healthier communication between parents and their children.

New Zealand must look logically at the big picture if it is to make order out of systemic chaos. "Drug testing of children is merely fiddling while Rome burns".

ENDS

John Minto: Supercity contracts out democracy to the private sector

The dangers in the ACT/National coalition agreement are becoming clearer by the day.

The agreement goes well past maximising ACT’s 3.5% electoral support. As part of the arrangement ACT Leader Rodney Hide got himself one of the most influential cabinet roles as Minister of Local Government ahead of the development of the so-called Auckland supercity.

Up till now the focus on democracy has been how the councillors will be elected. Firstly ACT vetoed guaranteed Maori representation on the council but supported the proposal for eight councillors to be elected at large alongside just 12 elected from local wards. More>>