Government Seeks Assistance from Maori Party to 'Stamp Out P'

Dr Pita Sharples; Co-leader, Maori Party

Thursday 23 February 2006

Today in the House, the Government, through the Minister of Justice, called on Dr Pita Sharples of the Maori Party to join and assist the Government in reducing the distribution of Methamphetamine.

"In response to my questions in the House about how to 'stamp out P' Minister Mark Burton was extremely gracious, in asking for the benefit of knowledge and experience of the Maori Party in dealing with those affected by the demon 'P'".

"Earlier today on the grounds of Parliament, the Maori Party, along with other MPs, welcomed the march from 'Fight Against P: Patua te Ngangara P'.

"No-one could help but be moved by the outpouring of grief expressed by those gathered who have lost loved ones to the plague of Methamphetamine" said Dr Pita Sharples.

"While we in the Maori Party are flattered to have been asked for our support" said Dr Sharples, "we would recommend that a cross-Parliamentary Party strategy be developed to demonstrate our political unity against this scourge".

"We are also very aware of what we could learn from communities who are leading this fight against 'P'" said Dr Sharples.

"Communities like:

* Murupara, which has vowed to clear its streets of the amphetamine curse by declaring the town a P-free zone;

* Orakei which has erected a pou at the gates of our marae denoting a rahui banning P from the Ngati Whatua/Orakei residential area;

* and of course, those from the communities who organised the march to fight against 'P' today".

"People are too precious to be destroyed by the greedy opportunists who manufacture and distribute this ngangara".

"Whanau must ban together, uniting in their resolve to ensure a P-Free Future for the coming generations.

ENDS

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