Press Release: AOTEAROA LEGALISE CANNABIS PARTY
30 September 2009

Hair drug-testing "dangerous"
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Expensive hair drug tests being marketed to New Zealand parents are intrusive and their usefulness is highly questionable. The ALCP believe drug testing will only sow more mistrust and alienation between parents and children.

The tests can not be used for evidential purposes because they do not meet US Federal, Australian or NZ standards.

The real problem is that cannabis prohibition has become a chronically dishonest and failed regime, putting youth at serious risk in NZ.

The NZ context of bullying and persecuting people for cannabis has created enormous disrespect for authority and so-called family values. Policing the cannabis black market has also placed a huge burden on taxpayers and our justice system, and if anything has made cannabis far more popular than it would be if legal.

"The atmosphere of double standards, hypocrisy and injustice is toxic", said ALCP president, Kevin O’Connell. "No wonder the most at-risk youth are not listening."

The most effective primary early intervention would be a strong R18 message which would be delivered by allowing adults to grow their own cannabis. This consistent approach would greatly clarify relative harms of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and everything else. It would also enable much healthier communication between parents and their children.

New Zealand must look logically at the big picture if it is to make order out of systemic chaos. "Drug testing of children is merely fiddling while Rome burns".

ENDS

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