Iain Lees-Galloway
Associate Health Spokesperson

17 April 2014

Legal high ban worthy of wider pick-up

Auckland Council’s ban on using legal highs in a public place is an excellent idea that should be replicated around New Zealand, says Labour’s Associate Health Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway.

“Auckland Council has implemented a by-law banning the use of psychoactive substances in a public place, similar to the liquor bans that many communities have had in place for years.

“If it’s not okay to drink alcohol on the streets why should it be okay to use other drugs?

“For many years New Zealand communities have said that if you’re going to drink alcohol you have to do it on private property or in a licensed establishment. That approach certainly hasn’t eliminated alcohol-related harm but it has helped police to crack down on some of the anti-social behaviour associated with drinking.

“Auckland Council should be applauded for taking the same stance on other drugs.

“Labour appreciates that councils are grappling with their responsibilities under the rushed Psychoactive Substances Act. We want to work with councils and communities to make sure initiatives like Auckland Council’s ban on using drugs in public can be successfully put into practice.”

ENDS

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