13 July 1999:
press statement

Brat-pack Minister slammed for youth tagging "community policy"

from : Christchurch Branch ALCP Executive.

ALCP election candidates have called for the resignation of Youth & Justice Minister, Tony Ryall, who announced today a desperate new plan for "remote control" of NZ youth.

Ryall made his "tough on law and order" speech at the National Party's election year conference, which featured National party members seen on TV1 news in transparent denial, even though it is obvious Bill English is outshining his "credibility-challenged" PM.

"Through mishandling of current legislative issues, Government are degrading NZ and smokescreening an out of control youth/drugs/crime crises" said cannabis candidate Kevin O'Connell- ALCP policy analyst. "The drugs are alcohol and marijuana and whatever they can get their hands on" said fellow candidate Blair Anderson. "The National Party denial of the drugs debate manifests in a "need" to build new prison facilities at a rate second only to the United States, to cope with thriving illicit drug turnover."

Government have home invaded innocent marijuana users for too long-"It's a heath concern and should be regulated like alcohol and tobacco. The 109,000 charges per year injustice industry is utterly unsustainable and totally unacceptable", say the party.

Police are spending nearly one million hours a year harassing cannabis smokers - and Select Committees are having to repeat advice to review cannabis legislation.

The ALCP passed a remit at its national conference two weeks ago "to pursue Government for human rights abuse"- it is understood that Amnesty International has turned its sights on the Drug War- as an insidious global regime of Justice system oppression led by the USA.

Members of the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party are backing a Commission of Inquiry into the drug laws, and insist on reform of cannabis controls in conjunction with the "drinking age" moves currently underway.

Parliament's 1998 Mental Health "Cannabis" Inquiry found compelling evidence which suggests that isolated liberalisation of alcohol laws will perpetuate a destructive "double standard", but that the key to successful liquor reform is to recognise that alcohol is one of two popular recreational drugs in widespread use in NZ.

We need honest, respectful and competent leadership, and an innovative new approach, say the candidates- and to never again elect a Prohibitionist government.

ENDS

http://www.alcp.org.nz

Further Info Contact:

K.P. O'Connell, B.J. Anderson: ph (03) 3894065

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