DESTINY NEW ZEALAND POLITICAL PARTY

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

14 May 2005

Strengthen Families instead of legalization of Cannabis

Policy Director David Jesze outlined Destiny New Zealand's position on legalization of cannabis at the forum on "Prohibition - weighing the costs and benefits", organized by NORML and the Politics Group at Otago University last night.

Jesze pointed out, that the real issue that needs to be addressed is demand: "If we reduce demand, prohibition or not will be irrelevant".

Addressing the 150 strong audience, he continued, "If your motivation for legalization is purely for yourself, then you have lost sight of our greatest responsibility, which is not to ourselves but to our children and the next generation".

"It is because of this reason, that we support legislation that protects the mental and physical health of our people, and therefore our nation, and it will come as no surprise to you that we oppose any piece of legislation that could potentially damage or harm the individual or the family unit. This includes the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis", Jesze added.

"Whatever you legalize, you normalize, and the tab for yet another social experiment would be picked up by the next generation. Like with alcohol, it will be impossible to reverse the damage inflicted. The answer lies in strengthening our homes and families", he concluded.

ENDS