Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jun 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au/

OPPOSITION ANGERED BY ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE OF WALKING PILLS

The New South Wales Opposition has criticised a mid north coast drug 
prevention program that involves people dressing up as drugs and drug 
paraphernalia.

They are accompanied by people who hand out pamphlets on the danger of drugs.

The program attempts to use humour to stimulate debate in Aboriginal 
communities on the danger of drugs.

But the Opposition spokeswoman for juvenile justice, Catherine Cusack, says 
the program's $31,000 of state and federal money could be put to better use.

She says the program is not a serious solution to drug problems in 
Aboriginal communities.

"If somebody could give me an example of how this could work, then I'd be 
happy to rethink my position, but nobody's explained where these costumes 
are going to be used," she said.

"I mean, you can't have people dressed up as bongs going into schools. I 
mean, they may be used appropriately at the Nimbin Mardi Gras, but that's 
about promoting drug use, not preventing it."

"People dressed up to look like giant cigarettes, ecstasy tablets or 
capsules wandering through Aboriginal missions handing out pamphlets is not 
a serious solution to this problem.

"In fact, it makes me quite angry. I think it's an insult, given the scope 
and seriousness of this problem."
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