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Drug & Alcohol Counsellor Writes About P
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor Writes About P
After 2 weeks of intensive and sustained media coverage of the escalating use of the drug "P" in New Zealand, I heard Prime Minister Helen Clark state in a radio interview that "at the end of the day, there is a demand for the drug. What we need to do is find out why that is".
Helen Clark proposes setting up (another) taskforce in order to be illuminated on New Zealand’s drug use.
As a drug & alcohol counsellor working on the frontline of addiction, allow me to save Clark the time and money. A large part of the reason that there is a demand for any drug is because of the needs it falsely attempts to fulfil within the user.
These needs may include a sense of identity, purpose, strength, or belonging.
Such needs may also include a temporary escape from despair, depression, isolation, and meaninglessness. In the absence of values, virtues, standards, boundaries, self-control…
When we start discouraging that which we want less of, and start encouraging that which we want more of, positive change will begin.
Unfortunately, we have a Government which sanctions societal behaviour at its lowest common denominator: that which they have neither the backbone nor inclination to control they legalise or permit.
It would seem that the future of our nation is in the hands of our voters, over half of which have voted for a government intent on pursuing "pet agendas" without a public mandate to do so. The wisdom or folly of this now 4 year old decision is plain for all to see. As we sow, so shall we reap.
Yours faithfully
Stephen D. Taylor
Scoop
Scoop Independent News
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