INDEPENDENT NEWS

Sikhs have the answer

Published: Tue 17 Jun 2008 09:27 AM
www.fightagainstp.com
Sikh's have the answer
A grieving South Auckland Sikh community has issued a statement, the content of which is remarkable in its simplicity.
Following the brutal killing of one of their own, they have stated that “Sikhs do not advocate a confrontational approach to solving the issue; instead their considered view is that society needs to look inwards and identify the causes of this kind of behaviour and come up with projects/initiatives that address these causes."
They go on to say “Disapproval of a confrontational approach to solving our problems is one of the most positive attributes of New Zealand society and we should all guard it zealously"
On the other hand, in order to combat the current climate of lawlessness we have the Police advocating armed patrols on Auckland's streets 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Fight Against P supports the Sikh view that this is not the solution – it's a knee-jerk reaction to the outcome of a set of changes to our society's rules over recent years.
The solution lies, as the Sikh's also advocate, in identifying the causes of the problems we have in today's society - and the vast majority of the causes can be attributed to alcohol, drugs and too many Rights being afforded to young people without Responsibilities.
Since the Government deregulated the alcohol industry and lowered the drinking age, liquor outlets have sprung up everywhere and are very accessible to young people.
Couple that with this Government's “Harm Minimsation” Drug Policy which publishes a list of suggestions on how to use illicit drugs like marijuana and “P” safely, and how can we be surprised at the situation we now find ourselves in?
Society knows the answers – but only Government can provide them. We need education including hard-hitting ads on TV to deter young people from beginning a lifestyle of alcohol and drug abuse; and for those who already have we need zero tolerance and rehabilitation.
We need to reclaim our way of life, and we can do that by bringing back old-fashioned values, consequences and showing wayward youth a better way.
Reduce the number of alcohol outlets, raise the drinking age, work with families to identify drug users and nip this habit in the bud – they do NOT have the Right to fry their brains and become a drain on our Mental Health, Justice and Corrections Services – they have a Responsibility to become contributing members of our society in whatever way they are able.
It won't happen overnight, but if we're not given the right tools soon it'll never happen and armed patrols and gun battles on our streets will become the norm as in other 'gangster' countries.
Fight Against P urges consideration of a proactive solution first, rather than a reactive one.
ENDS

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