Lack Of Funds Jeopardises Community Groups
“While the Government sits on a $4m surplus we have community trusts and other groups working with our youth on suicide
and drug addiction threatened with closure due to lack of funding,” said New Zealand First youth affairs spokesperson
Craig McNair.
“We have a huge problem with burgeoning methamphetamine use in this country. It is not enough to change the drug from a
class B to a Class A drug, we still have to help and support people who have been affected by this, and other drugs.
“The closure of detox units, the Ministry of Youth Affairs’ patch protection, the lack of Government support of
community groups working in this area, and moves to decriminalise marijuana all provide a clear message that the
Government has given up on the drug war and, worse still, has given up on our youth.
“Balancing the books has become more important than investing in our youth,” said Mr McNair.