ALCP welcome Labour's campaign against Cannabis testing

The ALCP is welcoming news that Labour MPs want Cannabis testing scrapped from professional sports.

Labour MP Trevor Mallard said an enormous proportion of Drug Free Sports NZ resources were wasted testing athletes for Cannabis.

"Drug Free Sport has a limited budget and it is better to focus that budget on catching cheats and catching people who help cheats," he said.

"The idea of a banned list for sports drugs is either it enhances your performance or is a real danger to other people that get involved when you are involved in sport. We are after drugs that enhance performance or actively endanger other people."

Over 70% of positives drug tests in New Zealand sports are for Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, wasting testing resources.

ALCP spokesman Steven Wilkinson said "following the lead of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) on Cannabis policy would free up scientists to focus of the real drug cheats".

"ALCP congratulate Trevor Mallard's stand against Cannabis testing and hope Labour will extend their position to oppose all workplace Cannabis testing."

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>