January 14, 2019 Anti-drug message to young people must not be diluted The Liberal Opposition does not support any policy position which dilutes efforts to curb the-proliferation of illicit, dangerous drugs in our community, Shadow Health Minister Sean L’Estrange said today. “The McGowan Labor Government needs to resource police effectively, and encourage music concert organisers to work closely with police, to make events safer with an anti-drugs focus,” Mr L’Estrange said. “Providing a pill testing service for illegal drugs is not a failsafe method of making concerts safe from the dangers of drugs and can in some instances give users false confidence that what they are taking is safe. “There are no guarantees illegal drug pushers, or users, will hand in their drugs for testing and, for drugs that have been tested, testing cannot determine the effect the drugs will have on each individual.” Mr L’Estrange said a Government-endorsed pill testing service of illegal drugs would send the wrong message to young concert goers that it is OK to take drugs at concerts and this is exactly what criminals who push and sell dangerous illegal drugs would want young people to think. “Diluting the anti-illicit drug message through the creation of pill testing facilities at public music concerts may influence a young person, who normally would not try an illegal drug, to think it is OK to do so,” he said. The Liberal Opposition calls on the McGowan Labor government to take a strong bi-partisan stance which opposes illegal drug use at music concerts and public events. Media Contact |
