Marchers demand drug ban

Todd McClay said he would "proudly" join the march. Photo / APN

Parents, grandparents and former users of synthetic cannabis are expected to turn out in their droves tomorrow to support a nationwide campaign to get the drug banned.

The Ban Synthetic Cannabis NZ movement on Facebook has spurred marches across the country tomorrow. The Rotorua march starts at the Kuirau Park basketball courts at 12.30pm and will travel along Pukuatua St and Tutanekai St to City Focus.

Organiser Te Waiariki Purea Trust plans to present submissions against the selling of the legal highs to Rotorua Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson and Rotorua MP Todd McClay.

"We've had a lot of interest in the protest," the trust's youth worker Maraea Pomana said.

"I'm hoping for up to 500 [people]. We have all kinds of people interested in banning synthetics, there are a lot of people who have been affected by them, they are in our neighbourhood with adults selling them on. I know of 11 and 12-year-olds who are smoking it."

She said she wanted more people to make electronic submissions to the council.

Mr McClay said he would "proudly" join the march.

"Synthetic drugs have caused considerable damage in Rotorua and communities across New Zealand and I want to rid our streets of this poisoning muck," he said.

"While the harm they cause has reduced significantly, I am committed to working with our community to take the next step to eliminate these products completely in order to best protect our young people.

"I'm proud to march alongside our community and encourage everyone to join and march with us."

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