Robson Matt: Motions — Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine) Order 2003—Approval 
Robson Matt: Motions — Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine) Order 2003—Approval 
[Volume:615;Page:11492] 
Hon MATT ROBSON (Deputy Leader—Progressive) 
: 
 I too rise to speak in support of the Government motion in the name of my colleague the Progressive leader Jim Anderton. This is an important motion for New Zealand’s population and I am pleased that the Progressive-Labour Government—or the Labour-Progressive Government whichever way one wants to look at it—is moving this motion tonight through my leader Jim Anderton. The House is considering a proposal to classify ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act a move recommended by the independent Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs late last year. 
It is a shame that more members are not here to participate in and to listen to this debate rather than perhaps to some of the more highlighted events we have in this Chamber where the press gallery is present because for parents and communities there is on the scale of issues no more important issue than this one. It ranks amongst the highest priorities in our community and every member of Parliament who has children who is associated with children or who has had parents who have had tragedy in their lives with drugs knows how important this issue is. 
I believe we are taking this step tonight as a united Parliament. The fact that all seven parties are united behind this measure—whatever criticisms they might have about this or that anti-drug programme being followed—is a very clear signal to the public that we are taking this matter seriously and I welcome that. 
This proposal is just the latest multifaceted approach that the Labour-Progressive Government is taking to drug problems in society. Our National Drug Policy aims to strike a balanced approach to minimising drug-related harm through a mix of law enforcement aimed at reducing the supply of drugs education aimed at reducing the demand for drugs and the provision of Government-funded treatment services aimed at reducing the harm caused by drugs to individual families and communities. 
I have taken part in debates in the community about whether cannabis should be legalised—the Progressives are opposed to the legalisation of cannabis—but the issue of P has come up time and time again as has the concern of families about this epidemic. The Government’s response to the drug menace to society tackles it in three ways—namely supply reduction demand reduction and research and treatment services for the victims of drug abuse. 
In the demand-reduction field Jim Anderton recently announced the locations of 15 community-action programmes at the cost of $2.55 million to establish community-run programmes aimed at fighting drugs at street level. This is an area where all members of Parliament can support the initiatives take part in the actions and look at the proposals that come forward from our community. 
The Government is also improving our public health and education drug resources. The police are developing a programme for use with schools parents and students to improve youth resilience to risky behaviours particularly focusing on methamphetamine. Clearly this motion fits in with the supply-reduction category of our multifaceted anti-drug programme. Tonight’s proposal to classify pseudoephedrine and ephedrine precursors will give the Customs Service the ability to penalise those importing these drugs without a licence much more severely. The classification is aimed at deterring unlicensed importers of this product. 
One of the first things that the Progressive leader did after becoming chairperson of the ministerial committee overseeing the National Drug Policy in late 2002 was to progress the reclassification of methamphetamine to a class A hard drug with a penalty of up to life imprisonment for suppliers and manufacturers. I was disappointed that that proposal did not get the unanimity of the seven parties in the House so the fact that we have unanimity now on this measure is a step forward. I urge all parties tonight to show unity and purpose as we confront the complex threat posed by very dangerous drugs to our communities and especially to our young people.