DESTINY NEW ZEALAND POLITICAL PARTY
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 May 2005
Strengthen Families instead of legalization of Cannabis
Policy Director David Jesze outlined Destiny New Zealand's position on legalization of cannabis at the forum on
"Prohibition - weighing the costs and benefits", organized by NORML and the Politics Group at Otago University last
night.
Jesze pointed out, that the real issue that needs to be addressed is demand: "If we reduce demand, prohibition or not
will be irrelevant".
Addressing the 150 strong audience, he continued, "If your motivation for legalization is purely for yourself, then you
have lost sight of our greatest responsibility, which is not to ourselves but to our children and the next generation".
"It is because of this reason, that we support legislation that protects the mental and physical health of our people,
and therefore our nation, and it will come as no surprise to you that we oppose any piece of legislation that could
potentially damage or harm the individual or the family unit. This includes the legalization and decriminalization of
cannabis", Jesze added.
"Whatever you legalize, you normalize, and the tab for yet another social experiment would be picked up by the next
generation. Like with alcohol, it will be impossible to reverse the damage inflicted. The answer lies in strengthening
our homes and families", he concluded.
ENDS