Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Meth Dealers to be rewarded


Methamphetamine (meth) dealers who can prove their own addiction caused their drug offending could have their sentences cut by 30 per cent, according to a landmark judgement released by the Court of Appeal.

The role of an offender in a drug network will also have a greater bearing on the length of a prison sentence, that is if they are jailed at all!

Sensible Sentencing Trust have expressed grave concerns regarding this ruling. They say they have noticed an increase in violent offending, much of it due to meth use or deals gone wrong and allowing sentences to be lessened, will not deter the offender from dealing – in fact the trust believe it will only increase crime and gang influence.

SST National Spokesperson Jess McVicar says “Police, Anti-Drug Advocates, Rehabilitation Centres and Medical Professionals are dealing daily with the consequences of New Zealand’s drug problem; mainly meth. We have seen heinous crimes that have stemmed from the use of meth and now those that cause this harm will be given the ability to cause even more. We believe this is a dangerous decision to allow the dealers free rein to continue to distribute this evil drug.”

While the weight of the Class-A drug will still be important in sentencing, Judges will now have more discretion to take into account whether the individual is a kingpin making millions of dollars, or simply a street dealer. Poverty and deprivation of a drug dealer are now to be considered as potential mitigating factors.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Jess says “People are being murdered over drug deals gone wrong and it should not make a difference what level of dealing the offender is at, they are harming the community – full-stop. How can these ‘professionals’ honestly believe that discounting sentences is the way forward for reducing the effects of this drug, the dealers will not stop dealing.”

Jess says sadly the protection and safety of our community has become the afterthought for this Government, and this is now flowing through to the courts with a large list of changes being applied based solely on lowering the prison muster. “This year we have seen so many changes based on offenders getting a lesser sentence; we have sex offenders receiving home detention, violent crimes getting discounted sentencing due to a disconnection with their family, discounts for guilty pleas and now we will discount drug dealers!”

Jess says Andrew Little appeared to speak all the right words to make the public and Victims think he wanted a fair and just system and that he heard the concerns of Victims, but this latest madness seems to point toward that this was not his intent and the trust believe that sadly, was just a distraction while he was working on these changes to suit his agenda. The system will descend into mayhem.

“The government can claim all they want that this decision has nothing to do with them, but this fits all too well with their agenda”

"Andrew Little needs to decide does he want less murder, rape, kidnapping and child abuse or does he want a lower prison muster? Which is more important?”

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.