Media Release

Monday 29th August 2013

http://www.teammanurewa.org.nz

Disappointment on approved license

"It was disappointing to learn that the first license to sell Synthetic Highs in Manurewa was approved this week with another two pending" said Manurewa Local Board Member Toa Greening. The community had no say over the granting of this license instead officials in Wellington made the decision on our behalf.

The types of shops that have applied for interim licenses includes Adult stores, Video stores, Video and Book stores, Tobacco stores, General Goods stores, Clothing stores, Body Piecing stores, Gift stores, Takeaway stores and even a Fishing Company. It appears that any type of shop with the exception of Dairies, Grocery stores and petrol stations could apply. What is concerning is that once again it is officials in Wellington making these decisions.

There are now 43 out of 51 importers, manufacturers and wholesalers who have been approved and 27 out of 64 approved legal highs. The Ministry of Health has published the list of all 201 retailers making it easy for the importers, manufacturers and wholesalers to now contact them.

The Ministry of Health will not finalise the regulations until the end of 2013 which in effect delays any attempts by Councils to introduce controls. I sent through a list of 33 questions to the Ministry of Health three weeks ago to get further clarity. I wanted to know basic information such as whether consumers can be legally high while driving, but no response to date.

The fact that the Ministry of Health is now in charge of normalising drug taking in our society is concerning. Just like the 1989 liberalisation of alcohol, the unintended consequences of this evil Psychoactive Substance Act will extract a heavy toll on society for years to come.

This is why the only solution is a full out ban, like was successfully implemented in Ireland in 2010. Our Central politicians need to stop mucking around with this crazy social experiment and do the right thing for our country.

END

Notes

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/psychoactivesubstances/interim-product-approvals http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/psychoactivesubstances/interim-licences

Retail Applications in Manurewa
1. Patrina Heather Lunjevich, Alexinas Enterprises Ltd, 185 Great South Road, Manurewa 2243, Licence issued RET0171
2. Chandra Sekhar Kurra, Natrs Limited T/A as High Zone, 3/206 Great South Road, Manurewa, Auckland, Under consideration RET0081
3. Inderjit Singh Kalkat, Punjab Liquor Ltd, 3-63 Churchill Avenue, Manurewa, Auckland, Under consideration RET0202

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