New Zealand Minister
Denounces Hypocrisy Of Politicians
Who Abuse Alcohol But Condemn Young People For Marijuana
See
New Zealand
Delegate To UN Special Session Has Spoken In Favour Of Cannabis Law Reform, David Hadorn
Reports
June 11, 1998The Wellington Dominion
editor@dominion.co.nz
DELAMERE DENOUNCES DRUG HYPOCRISY
It was hypocritical for adults, including politicians, to abuse
alcohol but condemn young people for using marijuana, Customs Minister Tuariki Delamere
told the United Nations today.
Mr Delamere, who is also Associate Health Minister, was in New York speaking at a
United Nations General Assembly special session on drug problems.
"If we are going to stand a chance in convincing our young
people about the risk of drug use we need to address the hypocrisy that young people see
when adults, including politicians, occasionally openly and legally abuse alcohol and then
turn around and condemn youth for using marijuana," Mr Delamere said.
Mr Delamere’s son, Jean-Paul, has been convicted on cannabis charges and Mr
Delamere has admitted using the drug when he was young.
Providing honest information was one of the keys to reducing drug-related harm,
particularly for young people who might experiment because of stories that played down the
risks or glamorised drugs, Mr Delamere said.
There was a need to better communicate to young people the dangers of using any type of
drug, including alcohol and cigarettes.
The number of people on methadone treatment had increased considerably during the past
three years, Mr Delamere said. Many had reduced both their drug use and criminal activity
and had improved their health and stabilised their lives.
Introducing needle exchange 10 years ago had helped prevent the spread of HIV virus and
New Zealand’s infection rate of less than 1 percent was among the lowest in the
world.
Mr Delamere said much more had to be done to help Maoris, who were disproportionately
represented in drug statistics. It was heartening to hear people at the Healing Our
Spirits conference in New Zealand this year saying it was time for Maoris to take
responsibility for drug-use prevention among their own people.
Supported