21 May 2002

Cannabis A Disaster For All, Including Maori

Police Not Racist, Nandor

New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, is questioning the claims of Nandor Tanczos and his assertions in Parliament today that drug enforcement officers are racist, and that drug laws are racist.

“The logical conclusion of his claim is that police should turn a blind eye to Maori offenders who are using drugs especially cannabis, and then arrest non-Maori in order to reach some fanciful racial quota. The reason that Maori are over represented in cannabis convictions is because they sadly use more cannabis—not because police are racist.

“The agenda of Mr Tanczos is transparent; he wants cannabis legalised and is quite prepared to see the disaster that is occurring with Maori cannabis use continue.

“The disaster is now an epidemic among school children and not just Maori and Mr Tanczos’ agenda is not helpful. Just today we have seen a complaint from a headmaster in Opotiki saying that the reason there are so many suspensions from schools in the Eastern Bay of Plenty is because of ‘the region’s suitability for growing cannabis’”.

“I find it rather annoying that a Hungarian-South African-British Johnny-Come-Lately member of a pro-cannabis Jamaican cult, from a political party with no Maori in their ranks should suddenly start preaching to us about drugs and race.

“I agree with the Minister of Maori Affairs when he said today: ‘hopefully the Police could spend more time in better usage of the time that is available to them, certainly whether it’s a Maori or a Pakeha smoking dak it doesn’t suit and police should pick the whole lot up’. This problem should be addressed by police without regard for the race of the offender,” concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

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