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Education Accord Statement - Adolescent Drug Abuse

Published: Wed 31 May 2000 04:05 PM
Education Accord Statement on Adolescent Drug Abuse
The Education Accord is alarmed at the effects of marijuana/cannabis on the young people of New Zealand and calls on New Zealand’s parliamentarians to abandon any notion of changing legislation that will make these substances more readily available or accessible to young learners.
Members of the Education Accord wish to bring to the attention of parliamentarians the following facts:
 Cannabis usage by children and adolescents causes:
physiological damage to developing organs
emotional “stunting”. Cannabis causes blockages of the neural pathways, impeding users’ ability to exercise reason and sound judgement.
 The educational achievement of children and adolescents using cannabis is severely compromised as a result of the physiological and emotional side effects of this usage.
The Education Accord believes that decriminalisation of marijuana will increase the level of usage in children and adolescents. The Accord also believes that it will lead to higher levels of violence and ill-health in our society. The current usage levels are of great concern to the Accord and for this reason it believes that immediate attention needs to be given to the provision of more effective support services for users and their families, and for an effective education programme in schools, available for students from year 1 to year 13.
[ends]
New Zealand School Trustees Association
New Zealand Principals Federation
New Zealand Area Schools Association
Post Primary Teachers Association
Post Primary Teachers Association Principals Council
New Zealand Educational Institute
New Zealand Educational Institute Principals Council
Te Akatea
Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand
New Zealand Intermediate and Middle Schools Association
Te Runanga Nui o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori
Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools

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