Govt Cannabis Target Laughable While Decriminalisation On The Agenda
Government talk of halving cannabis use by 2005 is laughable while decriminalisation remains on the agenda, National
Education spokesperson Nick Smith said today.
"The Minister of Health, Annette King, today stated it was the Government's objective to halve cannabis use over the
next five years. The Prime Minister, Education Minister and Health Minister are on the public record supporting
decriminalisation.
"Ms King is in cloud-cuckoo-land if she thinks decriminalisation will reduce use. It hasn't happened in South Australia
nor in Holland. Schools are already reporting higher cannabis use arising from the mixed signals about the seriousness
of cannabis. Decriminalisation will send a message to young people that the drug is no big deal. The Minister is
deluding herself if she thinks it will lessen the problem.
"Annette King looks particularly stupid supporting cannabis decriminalisation while going all out against tobacco. This
goal of halving use by 2005 is nothing more than a public relations stunt to try and get the Government out of a hole.
"If Labour is serious about reducing marijuana use they will immediately take decriminalisation off the agenda and
instead focus on more effective drug education, better treatment programmes and increased support for Police to get the
drug off our streets," Dr Smith said.
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