Robson Matt: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Question No. 3 to Minister 
Robson Matt: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Question No. 3 to Minister 
[Volume:617;Page:13318] 
10.  
Hon MATT ROBSON (Deputy Leader—Progressive) 
 to the  
Associate Minister of Health 
: What recent funding announcements has the Labour-Progressive Government made to combat the problem of drug abuse and suicide prevention? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Associate Minister of Health) 
: 
 A total of $59.15 million has been announced over the last few days to combat the problem of drug abuse and suicide prevention over the next 4 financial years. Last week I announced with my colleagues the Hon Phil Goff and the Hon George Hawkins $39 million over 4 years that is aimed at tackling the illegal and dangerous methamphetamine trade. Yesterday I announced a further $14.65 million for initiatives that are either aimed at reducing the demand for drugs or aimed at helping the victims of drugs and their communities as well as a further $5.5 million for suicide prevention measures. 
Judy Turner 
: Has the Minister been consulted over the draft drug education booklet prepared by the Ministry of Youth Development for use in schools that takes a harm minimisation approach which means that nowhere in the booklet does it state that taking drugs may be a bad idea; if not why not? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: Yes I have been consulted. The description of harm minimisation is a generic description that is used in drug information education and it recognises the reality that whatever we may wish some young people and others in the community do use drugs. Therefore the intention of the education is to minimise harm. Of course there are implied messages—and even some that I would suggest are reasonably direct—in that information to suggest that not starting on drugs is a pretty good idea as well. 
Dianne Yates 
: Could the Minister give us more details on what types of initiatives are being taken? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: Very briefly the $39 million announced over the last few days includes another police clandestine laboratory team more analysts and further funding for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research for forensic work. An additional $15 million will fund a further youth residential drug and alcohol treatment facility this time in the central North Island and a one-for-one needle exchange that will minimise the transmission of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C. It will also provide for the evaluation of community action programmes and support other initiatives aimed at reducing the demand for drugs. 
Nandor Tanczos 
: Is the Minister aware of the very successful What’s Up phone counselling service for 5 to 18-year-olds and of the temporary funding problem it faces; and will he consider providing it with some bridging finance while a new funding contract is negotiated? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: There are a large number of organisations at work in the area of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and services but I am happy to look at any detailed submission on the work of that organisation without any guarantee of course that the Government could or should support it. I am happy to entertain the submissions of the member.