Green's drug stand criticised

Teachers and drug educators have criticised the Green Party's stance on cannabis, saying it is encouraging drug use among children.

Kapiti Coast primary schools have had several incidents during the past two months in which pupils as young as nine have taken cannabis to school. Kapiti Primary may start drug tests to combat the problem.

Welltrust executive officer Pauline Gardiner, whose group tries to educate people about drugs, said children were justifying drug use because of the Greens' stance.

"What the Greens are saying is causing a bloody nightmare. The kids will pick up on any person in authority who says drug use is okay."

The Greens favour legalising possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use and have promised to make cannabis law reform an issue in coalition talks.

- NZPA

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