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National | Crime

Discussion reveals drug addiction a health issue not a crime

Northland's Kaikohe are discussing aspects to an outdated drug law to a health-focussed law is overdue according to the New Zealand Drug Foundation who have begun a series of national public meetings to discuss the issue starting today in Northland.

National MP for Whangarei Dr Shane Reti says he wants the way the criminal justice system views the use of drugs and narcotics to be changed.

Dr Clair Mills says, “The fact that three-quarters of the people going to prison in Northland are young Māori is really a big public health problem because this means these young people aren't working. They're not able to have a good life. They're not looking after their family. Many of them do have mental health, drug and alcohol issues, which aren't being treated adequately.”

Green Party MP David Clendon says, “If we do just want to keep slapping up more young guys and young girls, let’s just keep doing what we're doing because we're achieving that pretty well now.”

The community is up in arms about the allocation of three million dollars to deal with the treatment of methamphetamine-related issues in Northland.

Ngāti Hine descendant Moe Milne says, “We already know from these past centuries that the system doesn't work for us.  We have the solutions but the funding is still being given to the district health boards and police, why? That system will continue to put more and more Māori behind bars.”

Labour MP Kelvin Davis says, “While we continue with that attitude of just seeing people as problems, people who have problems as being the problem then we aren’t going to change anything.”

Māori makes up 50% of total prison population. 40% of whom are put through the criminal justice process on drug-related charges.

NZDF spokesperson Ross Bell says, “We're seeking to punish people for what is fundamentally a health issue.  I think the community is on the side if you flip that around and started dealing with drugs through a health link by providing education prevention and treatment that we're actually going to finally get on top of the problem.”

The NZ Drug Foundation will look to take this issue to the people of Te Arawa.