UCOL to take stand against legal highs

Media Release

4 November 2013

UCOL to take stand against legal highs

UCOL has decided to take a stand against the selling of legal highs in Palmerston North.

On Wednesday lunchtime the institution will host an opportunity to give staff, students and the community the chance to voice their concerns on the matter.

UCOL Deputy Chief Executive Academic, Bonnie Dewart says the strength of feeling at UCOL has now reached a point that it will take a lead in providing a forum for the community to speak out. 

“UCOL is not happy that legal high shops can operate in close proximity to a learning institution full of young people in the heart of the city. Students should be able to concentrate on their study without the temptation to experiment with legal highs.

“Students deserve a safe learning environment and it is our duty to provide a campus environment that aids teaching and learning”.

Recently a new store selling legal highs opened up on Broadway Ave, not far away from UCOL’s Palmerston North campus and accessible via a walkway across the street from the main building.

The Palmerston North City Council has the power to determine where and if legal highs can be sold in Palmerston North.

“UCOL believes that to ensure our family-oriented student city is safe, Palmerston North City should be a legal high free zone,” says Ms Dewart.

“There is clear evidence that legal highs have a harmful effect on people’s lives and we do not want that for our students or our community.

“This is serious stuff.”

Members of the public are invited to join the event on Wednesday at 12 noon on UCOL’s King Street Green and bring along banners expressing their sentiments.

ENDS

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