Elliott against approving sale of Psychoactive Substances
Jackie Elliott against approving sale of Psychoactive Substances in Kapiti
Last Thursday Council voted to approve part of Kapiti Rd for the sale of psychoactive substances despite demonstrable opposition from residents and businesses. I did not support this motion.
I gave Councillors another option to consider, - ' That KCDC take no action that will facilitate the sale of any substances that are under the jurisdiction of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 in the district of Kapiti. Despite my efforts it was defeated in a 6/4 vote.
Council had been threatened that Health Officials will give retail licenses all over the district if we don't approve an area for them. We have been and remained in an impasse over this issue simply because the Mayor and Council Management are prepared to be bullied.
The elephant in the room remained the fact that nothing in this poorly drafted, faulty legislation inhibits the sale and distribution by the internet. I would have thought the crown would be the slightest bit interested in closing that loophole.
I doubt this will happen given the Associate
Minister of Health, Right Hon Peter Dunne's son,James, is a
lobbyist on behalf of the synthetic cannabis industry and is
described on his employers website as NZ's leading
specialist in the regulation of new psychoactives under the
Psychoactive Substances Act 2013.
We have heard
some incredulous statements in chambers as Kapiti
professionals have tried to defend this law.
Health
Officials said, "We are trying to normalise drug sales " -
WHY? We were told the greatest threat to our youth is
alcohol. Are they going to 'Normalise' teenage drinking? No,
of course not. So why normalise drug use?
The Police
have said- It is acceptable ( to them) for users from across
the district to drive, in a state of withdrawal, to the
centre of the busiest road in the district and then drive
home again, High! - WHY!
I suggest the front counter of
the Police station is the most appropriate outlet if the
police want to keep an eye on users, but the only option on
the table was central Kapiti Rd and although I am elected to
make decisions for Kapiti, there is no way I would make drug
outlets anyone's neighbour.
Councillors missed the
opportunity to tell Ministers that Kapiti, it's Council and
it's people will not be bullied into facilitating the sale
of dangerous drugs to our most vulnerable people.
ends