Pubdate: Wed, 23 Aug 2000
Source: Dominion, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2000 The Dominion
Contact:  P O Box 1297, Wellington, New Zealand
Fax: +64 4 474-0350
Website: http://www.inl.co.nz/wnl/dominion/index.html
Author: Oskar Alley

CANNABIS USE LINKED TO HOSPITAL CASES

MORE than 130 people, most aged 15 to 25 and Maori, need hospital treatment 
each year for cannabis problems, according to information from Health 
Minister Annette King yesterday.

In response to questions asked by ACT justice spokesman Stephen Franks, Mrs 
King said that on average 131 people a year were treated in hospital for 
cannabis psychoses and dependence.

That figure did not include treatment for "cannabis-related poisoning", 
which is believed to refer to cannabis spiked with other drugs such as 
horse tranquilliser.

Mrs King said people aged 20-25 and 15-20, were the most likely to need 
hospital treatment. Maoris accounted for 40 per cent "despite being only 
14.5 per cent of the population".

Prime Minister Helen Clark's statement this week that the cannabis review 
was a low priority led Mr Franks to accuse the Government yesterday of 
creating a smokescreen.

"They used cannabis reform as a youth vote-winner but I think they've now 
panicked at the reactions from parents and principals. The Government has 
been pretty casual with what is rapidly becoming an urgent matter," he said.

"All we've heard so far is vague abstract concepts, when any review would 
need to look at practical options."

Mr Franks said ACT favoured a policy that gave educated adults the right to 
choose, but worked to protect children and those at risk.

Drug Foundation executive director Sally Jackman said she was not surprised 
at the findings of a UMR Insight poll, conducted for The Dominion, that 60 
per cent of people supported decriminalising or legalising cannabis.

Poll results throughout the 1990s showed increasing support for a softer 
stance she said. Any possible law changes would have to consider public 
opinion because unpopular laws were difficult to enforce, she said.
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