Taylor Sincock 12/07/2013 Youth Parliament

A Waikato youth MP will be amongst discussions about youth substance abuse prevention at this week’s Youth Parliament.

Seventeen year-old Allanah Hartley represents National MP Lindsay Tisch and is part of the health select committee.

Hartley says it is important to address substance abuse as it is an issue that will continue to affect future generations.

“Substance abuse is ingrained into our society, with many youth embracing the binge drinking culture and Marijuana smoking.”

She says before putting regulations in place, there firstly needs to be an assessment of prevention initiatives to decide whether they are working or not

“I don’t think it will be easy to eradicate substance abuse completely because as youth we test boundaries and by banning the use completely will encourage rebellion.”

Hartley’s comments follow the Government’s recent decision to ban synthetic cannabis product K2.

Youth Parliament happens every three years and allows 121 nationally selected youth MPs to learn how New Zealand’s decision making process works.

A mock Electoral Reform Bill will also be debated and proposes lowering the voting age to 17-years-old.

Hartley says she is against the mock bill.

“Many 18-year-olds do not understand the system, if we lower the age to 17, what’s to stop us lowering it to 16, if we are not careful, children will have the vote,” she said.

ENDS

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