Taylor Sincock 12/07/2013 Youth Parliament

There needs to be tougher policies around drugs and alcohol, according to a Hauraki-Waikato youth MP.

Seventeen year-old Charm Skinner will represent Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta at Youth Parliament this week, where a health select committee topic will address youth substance abuse.

Although Skinner, a Hamilton Girls’ High student, has avoided drug and alcohol use she fears others may not be as driven and will follow the footsteps of substance using family members or friends.

“If stronger actions were put into place to prevent teens from following those actions we would have a lot more responsible teens and a safer community,” she said.

She says she has firsthand seen the effects of substance abuse and hopes her stance on the issue can provoke change.

“I am now in the position to voice the issues that are of concern to youth in the Hauraki and Waikato electorate and help make positive changes to help them succeed in all areas of life.”

Youth Parliament is a two day event (July 16 and 17) held every three years as an opportunity for 121 nationally selected youth MPs to learn how New Zealand’s democracy system works.

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

Skinner says she supports the age drop as there are a lot of 17-year-olds who work and pay taxes so their votes should count.

Hauraki-Waikato Labour MP Nanaia Mahuta with her youth MP Charm Skinner. Photography: Janine Jackson.

ENDS

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