‘Legal High’ Shop Not Welcome in Manurewa
Media Statement
1 May 2013
‘Legal High’ Shop Not Welcome in Manurewa.
Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton is disappointed and feels let down that a new drug store promising ‘legal highs’ has opened up in Manurewa without the Local Board or community being made aware.
The new store which opened on Monday is selling a number of products which the Government is proposing to make illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Bill which is currently going through Parliament and has submission’s closing tonight.
“As Manurewa Local Board Chair, I should be made aware of these stalls being opened in my community,” said Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton.
“The substances being sold at this store are dangerous, are unproven as to their long term health effects and should not be sold in stores in our without input from the community.
“The Manurewa Local Board should be informed by authorities of these proposed stores before they are opened and the community should have input into whether they are welcome or not.
“We are advocating for the passing of the Psychoactive Substances Bill to be passed urgently by Parliament so that these drugs cannot be sold until they are proven to be safe, rather than the current regime which says that they can be sold until negative health effects can be proven,” said Ms Dalton.
This new store has come as a shock to Local Board member Simeon Brown.
“As a young person myself it concerns me that these substances are being sold right next to a bus stop which hundreds of young people use every day, with advertising which all passer-by’s can see.” said Manurewa Local Board Member Simeon Brown.
“We will stop at nothing to challenge the legitimacy of these drugs and will be submitting to Parliament on the Psychoactive Substances Bill to support its urgent passing so that the chemical ingredients in these drugs are banned and that synthetic drugs of any kind cannot be sold until they are proven to be safe,” said Mr Brown.
ENDS