Media Release

30 July 2013

Humans Need Protection From Psychoactive Substances

Manurewa Local Board Member Simeon Brown responded to protests against animal testing in the Psychoactive Substances Act today by saying that the law is needed to protect humans.

"New Zealanders are concerned about these drugs being tested on animals under the new testing regime but they are also concerned about the impact they will have on humans." Says Manurewa Local Board Member Simeon Brown.

"Medical experts have been saying that they don't know the long-term impact of these drugs on people who take them. We shouldn't just be concerned about the impact of these drugs on animals, but also on human beings who will become the consumers of the end products.

"I hope that none of these drugs have to be tested on animals, but ultimately I don't want any young person to be harmed by taking these drugs.

"Ultimately I believe these drugs should be banned, however we must restrict them the best we can with the legislation we have got.

"That is why I am working with Auckland Council to develop a Local Approved Products Policy which will ban the sale of these products from within a 1km radius of schools, kindergartens, places of worship and community halls.

"Lets protect young people from the public promotion of a culture where drugs are acceptable and lets drive them out of our suburbs.

"So far the Manurewa Local Board, Papakura Local Board and Waitakere-Ranges Local Board all support this policy in principle and I am hopeful that a policy will be in place within a number of months to give Local Boards the power to protect their communities from these drugs." Says Mr Brown.

ENDS

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