INDEPENDENT NEWS

NSW spurns what Kiwi kids learn

Published: Fri 20 Jun 2008 10:43 AM
www.fightagainstp.com
NSW spurns what Kiwi kids learn
A fracas has developed over the ditch, with a New South Wales Government-funded drug education booklet for teenagers having to be scrapped after sparking community outrage for its "twisted" Harm Minimisation message.
The booklet - Choosing To Use ... But Wanna Keep Your Head Together? - suggests young people should not experiment with drugs until they are over 18, know their family medical history and "use only small amounts and not too often".
"The best way to keep your head together, is not to use drugs at all," the booklet says.
"But, if you choose to experiment ... remember some people will react badly and become seriously unwell after using only a small amount of a drug."
News of the booklet's content sparked outrage from many areas of the community, from welfare groups and the state opposition to Sydney talkback radio callers.
Health Minister Reba Meagher said copies of the booklet, which has been used since 2006, would be removed from distribution and pulped. She also said all other drug education material for young people would be reviewed.
So what is our Government going to do about Jim Anderton's tax-payer funded brochure produced by ADANZ entitled “P, it's your call”, which has also been around since about 2006? It gives exactly the same message as the one that NSW parents have boycotted.
Under the heading “Reduce the Risks”, it lists one suggestion against using P (No use – no risk. You can decide not to use) – followed by these 5 suggestions on how to use P 'safely', if you choose to use it.
* Less is more. Using smaller amounts gives the same effect while keeping your tolerance low and reducing the risk of addiction.
(Fact: Methamphetamine is a very powerful drug and is so dangerous because sometimes it takes only one time to become addicted.)
* If on medication, avoid "P" or have an emergency plan and the details of your meds in your pocket or wallet.
* When using a new batch always be cautious about what you are using and only try a little at first.
* Taking P orally is generally safer than smoking, injecting or snorting because the stomach can handle acidic substances better than your lungs, veins or nose.
* If swallowing P, put it in an empty pill capsule or wrap it in a cigarette paper.
This can be checked out on
http://www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/Helpline/Subnav/Drug%20Information/p
(Scroll down to “Reduce the Risks”.)
This brochure is freely available from the official authority on Drug use in NZ. How many are being used as reference material in our schools?
In 2006 Fight Against P contacted several MP's including Jim Anderton about this outrageous publication which effectively condones use of an illicit drug – to no effect.
The Labour Party's Harm Minimisation Drug Policy is setting people up to fail, and all Nzers are paying the price in the current climate of family breakdown, violence and lawlessness.
They're giving the message that drugs are acceptable under certain circumstances, which is contrary to what parents want and it undermines what they are telling their children.
The citizens of NSW have seen the light – NZers must also demand that this publication be removed from distribution and pulped, and all other drug education material for young people reviewed.
The message that our children must be given is the ONLY way to minimise the harm of drug use is NOT to use them!
ends

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