MPs greet anti-drug marchers at Parliament

Pukekohe grandmother Marie Cotter led the Fight against P march into Parliament yesterday, ending a journey that began in Auckland on Monday.

The 100 marchers - many of whom were former P users or had family members addicted to the drug - braved a sudden downpour and hail-storm to place photos of family members who had died from P abuse at the base of the statue of Richard Seddon.

Greeting them were about 20 MPs, including National leader Don Brash, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, United Future leader Peter Dunne, Maori Party leader Pita Sharples and Cabinet ministers Nanaia Mahuta and David Benson-Pope.

The MPs were united in their support of the marchers and many spoke of the urgent need to address the damage the drug was causing.

Dr Brash said P affected all New Zealanders from all backgrounds, a point he says was brought home to him when he discovered the daughter of a National Party electorate chairman was addicted to P.

Dr Sharples said P was the worst drug New Zealand had seen.

"It tears families apart."