31 August 2006
Greens welcome drug safety text message info service

The launch of the New Zealand Drug Foundation's new 'Get the Msg' campaign, in conjunction with Run the Red and Vodafone, is being welcomed today by Green Party Alcohol and Drugs Spokesperson Metiria Turei.

The campaign will allow people to text the names of drugs, including common street names, to DRUG and receive safety information and links to further information and help.

"It is initiatives like this that provide honest, factual health information that is able to get through to young people. Messages that demonise drugs and those who use them simply turn people away from information that they need to keep themselves safe and make informed choices," Mrs Turei says.

"It is imperative that we mature as a society in our views about drug use. Rational drug policy based on scientific information and devoid of emotive prejudice is critical. Eliminating hypocrisy from the debate around drug use is also essential. And providing clear information to young people, as this project does, is a necessary step.

"Using highly accessible technology, such as cellphones, is very smart and shows that with some clever thinking and good support, responsible health information can be made readily available.

"I commend this campaign and look forward to its success. I think it will prove a useful model for similar campaigns in future," Mrs Turei says.

ENDS

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