Thursday, 16 June 2005

Turner welcomes party drug rules

United Future deputy leader and health spokeswoman, Judy Turner, has welcomed the passage of new legislation today that makes the rules surrounding the sale of party drugs much clearer.

"The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill (No 3) puts some clear regulations in place around party pills," she said "and we want to see the Government continue to both gather data on the use of these substances and to draft a separate Act of Parliament to cover substances that are legal but regulated.

"I'm especially pleased to see that the Greens' attempt to make decriminalising cannabis much easier in the future has been thwarted.

"Early provisions in the legislation that would have allowed substances to be re- categorised by the Minister with minimal reference to Parliament and no opportunity for public submission have been thrown out through United Future's efforts.

"Any downward change in the legal status of any illicit drug, now can only happen with full public and parliamentary scrutiny, not by the stroke of the Minister's pen," said Mrs Turner.

ENDS

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