Drug menace
The evidence of the effects of synthetic cannabis in Auckland is a national disgrace. It seems there is an inability to tackle the problem. Should we not pay attention to the success of the Singaporeans and Indonesians in dealing with drug use and trafficking? Recently the Filipinos, under President Rodrigo Duterte, have achieved results although the measures adopted appear too extreme. Never reformers, it is unlikely the National coalition will instigate change. The problem coincides with the legalising of cannabis being considered. Recent events in Auckland are a timely warning.
P J Edmondson, Tauranga.
Week killer
I find it ironic that weed killer in cannabis should make the front page yesterday. Ironic for two reasons. Like many others I have been fighting for years to rid our foods of pesticides, particularly the most commonly used weed killer on the planet, glyphosate based herbicide which is probably the culprit in this case.
This same weed killer is very much involved in the depression/suicide story, because of its many effects on production of serotonin, dopamine and thyroid hormone. Plus, by reducing the availability of essential minerals, vitamins and enzymes it is having serious effects in the health of pregnant mothers, their babies and youth because the nervous system cannot cope until 20 years of age, and the damage is irreversible. This is all based on published peer-reviewed research.
Our food safety authority, part of Ministry of Primary Industry, does not test for this weed killer in the Total Diet Survey.
It is a basic human right, laid down in the UN Rights of the Child, to have food and water free from pesticides. Is it any wonder we lead the world in suicide, child poverty and abuse when we fail to take the necessary steps to prevent a major cause of these problems?
Frank Rowson, Matamata.
Double standard?
It's hard to argue with Tim Beveridge regarding Ms [Metiria] Turei rorting the system but I do wonder if he was expressing the same high dudgeon when the Deputy, now Prime, Minister was double dipping his allowances and presumably would still be doing it today if he wasn't caught out, as opposed to outing himself, ie, doing the honourable thing.
John Capener, Kawerau.
Gutsy woman
Metiria Turei has spoken for every mother struggling in adverse circumstances, every father who, for reasons of ill health or redundancy, has found himself out of work, every actor, musician and artist trying to survive between jobs, every worker and professional who, when they have needed the support of the state, has had to endure the humiliation of demeaning courses on budgeting and CV writing, assertions that their profession isn't "real work", and the accusations, insults, suspicion, snobbery and self-righteous rudeness that is the trademark of Winz officers whenever National are in government.
She has stood up to smug media moralists, the condemnations of millionaire ministers of the crown, the ugly mean spiritedness which has become part of the New Zealand character and a system that has much greater theft built into it by way of low wages, widespread job insecurity and the ability of the rich to get even richer without lifting a finger for it, off the backs of the rest of us.
She is one gutsy women so, for the first time in my near 60 years, come September I have decided to vote Green.
Bill Walker, Whangarei.
Discredited
An excellent article by Tim Beveridge on Metiria Turei. If ever there was a reason for not voting for the Green Party it is her arrogance of not only ripping off the welfare system but supporting others to do the same. How can she (or the Green Party) now have any credibility or authority to pass any law and expect the electorate to obey? And as a list MP there is every likelihood of her being in Parliament again as we cannot vote her out. My wish is the electorate will see her, and the Green Party as a whole, for what they are and what they stand for and not support them at the election.
Lloyd Ilton, Swanson.
Better training needed
A recent letter regarding skills in the construction industry is a refrain all trades in our sector are dealing with. Roofing needs 450 experienced roofers right now so our members can service current workloads. More than 90 per cent of our member companies are training people at present, which is great but trainees do not equal experience yet.
Immigration is only part of the solution. In our trade, the skill level of tradespeople from overseas and particularly Europe is at the level of being a craft person. They can lift our own skill levels. We have evolved our training but roofing has had formal qualifications only since 1999.
All trades need to make themselves more attractive and provide a career path for a greater number of young people. Our school system needs to acknowledge the career opportunities and place much greater emphasis on what trades offer.
As employers we need to alter our approach in some instances. Not only do we not recruit well but we don't mentor our trainees properly. These young people need to treated as an investment in their futures and ours.
Graham Moor, CEO, Roofing Association NZ.
Suicide prevention
I want to congratulate the Herald for having the courage and foresight to publish the Break the Silence series. The series has increased the awareness and understanding of mental health and provided heartfelt insights into youth suicide, which is a national tragedy. Now, we have to concentrate on suicide prevention.
The individuals and their families need more support. Families should be more involved in the decision-making and treatment of their loved ones. There are many good people working in mental health services but most are under-resourced and over-stretched. Why don't we connect family support and suicide prevention groups nationwide?
Why don't we introduce mental health literacy, resilience building and self-care education in schools? Why don't we establish a national peer support network and retreat centres? Why don't we increase community-based counselling to listen to people's stories and open up conversations -- just like the Herald has done in Break the Silence series?
Graham Skellern, chair of Matt Skellern Bipolar Trust.
Domain waste
If Brian Rudman has read Mayor Phil Goff's mood correctly as being in favour of an unnecessary and inappropriate $3 million pile of concrete being plonked on the grassy slopes of the Domain under the guise of a WWI memorial, one would have to wonder if the mayor has fallen prey to consultants conning him into one of those irresistible vanity projects that come with a little brass plate attached with his name on it.
It would be most disappointing if such a scheme was to pass muster of the majority of councillors, as the waste of funds would negate any credibility that the mayor and his council's intentions were genuine about saving money.
Coralie van Camp, Remuera.
Crowded childcare
Hats off to Susan Bates for her superb analysis of the overcrowded conditions in today's preschools. Giving small children virtually no space to play in, for up to 50 hours a week, is a disgrace. Such overcrowding would not be tolerated in prisons. We have a strong movement against battery farming of hens. Let's also fight for the rights of the youngest Kiwis.
Stephen Bayldon, Mt Roskill.
