Media statement

For immediate release

Monday, 30 June 2003

Alexander lauds Chief District Court judge

United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander today praised Chief District Court Judge David Carruthers for his very commonsense approach to dealing with the causes of crime.

In a speech to the annual Justices of the Peace conference at Nelson, Judge Carruthers pointed to American research which indicated that early intervention at all stages of a person's life has a major effect on reducing crime and the causes of crime.

"This is commonsense, it is also United Future policy and I'm delighted that at last we are hearing some realistic comment coming from our judges," said Mr Alexander.

"As the judge says, this is not brain surgery and all of it is within our grasp. The challenge now is for politicians to play their part in making these interventions possible.

"While I'm in the mood to hand out bouquets, let me give one to former prison boss, Celia Lashlie, who told a School Trustees conference in Blenheim at the weekend that she can't believe the taxpayer pays the salary of a politician who admits to using cannabis.

"She was greeted with loud applause when she reprimanded Green MP Nandor Tanczos for using his stature among young people to tell them that smoking dope was a good thing.

"Like Ms Lashlie, I believe cannabis is a drug that steals the dreams of young people and should never be decriminalised.

"Ms Lashlie, based on her first hand experience, also believes early intervention is the way to truly fight crime and I warmly support her in that view," said Mr Alexander.

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