the Government's 100 Day Plan puts 'criminal gangs and drug trade' on its priority list. Using P is as safe as playing Russian Roulette. The ONLY safe way to reduce its harm is NOT TO USE IT.

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Media Release:

25th November 2008

The Drug User and The Solution: both no-brainer's

The Hon. Judith Collins opened the National Chemical Diverson Congress on Tuesday with a speech which gives great hope to those fighting for intervention in drug use in NZ.

Ms Collins stated that she recognises that taking drugs such as P is a choice that affects the whole of the community. It destroys the life of the User, their parents and siblings, their children and the victims of whatever crime they resort to in order to fund their drug habit.

She recognises that P users aren't necessarily the scum of the earth – but that they're vulnerable people from all parts of society - and tells us that the Government's 100 Day Plan puts 'criminal gangs and drug trade' on its priority list.

Sensible Sentencing Spokesperson on Drug Issues, Christine Davey, agrees that this must be a priority – but so also must be consideration of intervention in the drug use of these vulnerable people, in order to stop the devastation to the parents, siblings, children and victims of crime.

Ms Collins tells us that “the Illicit Drug Strategy to 2010, which is reaching completion, focuses on a three-pronged approach: reducing supply, reducing demand, and reducing harm.

Ms Davey has long campaigned against the former Government's Harm Minimisation Policy which tell us how to use illicit drugs “safely”. Using P is as safe as playing Russian Roulette. The ONLY safe way to reduce its harm is NOT TO USE IT.

On the harm-reduction side of the three-pronged approach, Ms Collins tells us that UK Police are able to refer arrestees directly to drug treatment as a form of diversion.

Ms Davey asks “why wait till they've had to be arrested for another crime? Using P is already a crime. These vulnerable people need to be saved from themselves.

The National Committee for Addiction Treatment has recently revealed that research shows that “coercive treatment is as effective as voluntary treatment”. “P” users aren't capable of deciding to stop – therefore we must take that decision for them.

Ms Davey welcomes the inclusion of the “Drug Trade” in the 100-day Plan. But she respectfully suggests that intervention at family request must be included in this debate, as this would obviously help achieve the objectives of breaking the cycle of drug use and thereby eliminating the demand and the associated crime.

What's the difference between a drug user and the solution?

Nothing. They're both no-brainer's.

ENDS

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