Fri, 01 Oct 2004
KiwiKids, Cannabis, Coroners and Corpses.
Australian and US researchers are suggesting early onset of puberty correlates to early entry drug experimentation.
Similarly a recent CASA media release citing sexually active friends and dating practises signals teen substance abuse
risk. This reeks of moral panic.
What might work is remove the double standards that are impediments to credible anti-drug health promotion as identified
by the 1998 NZ Health Select Committee Inquiry into Cannabis and Mental Health. Where impediments exist, teen health
behaviours are adversely affected.
Current OECD health and lifestyle statistics have NZ as the highest cannabis consuming population in the world at 22.23
per cent whereas Netherlands is 5.24 per cent. Netherlands other teen indicators such as puberty onset, education and employment are on par with New Zealand. However
2004 OECD data has useful comparative health outcomes for youth. Dutch Teen pregnancy is one quarter NZs, as is young
male youth suicide, teen STDs and 'trouble with the law'.
What is it that the Dutch are doing right that NZ is doing so very wrong? And how might we convince sceptics that
deviancy amplifying 'family values' drug policy is not at the root of the inhalent and can'o'piss problem?
** http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_can_use
Blair Anderson Mayoral Candidate, Christchurch City
-- sig. Blair Anderson
Mayor Blair for a really Healthy Christchurch
http://mildgreens.com/candidates/blair
VOTE Oct 9, everywhere. cell phone 025 2657219
"Garry's such a nice guy, but he hasn't the leadership to fix this!"
blogon@mildgreens.com http://mildgreens.blogspot.com/
ENDS