McAnulty KieranKIERAN McANULTY (Labour—Wairarapa): I'll be honest: I don't like drugs as much as those on the other side of the House. I've lived somewhat of a sheltered life. I grew up in Masterton and I didn't really have the opportunity to have drugs until I went to the University of Otago at which point I said no. I went overseas and played rugby in Ireland and travelled around Europe. I spent a week in Amsterdam and I still said no. I had no interest in trying drugs whatsoever. I like many on the other side of the House thought—and still think to some extent—that they are bad. But I'm actually not hearing anyone tonight say that they're good and I think that's the guts of this: we need to face facts.I've never done any hard drugs. I've tried marijuana twice. The first time was by accident—that's God's truth—and I was crook as a dog. Then my mate said to me Well you've done it now. You've gone your whole life without trying it. You've gone and done it. You may as well try it properly." And I did and I was crook as a dog. So I've done it twice and I was crook both times and I'll never do it again. Horrible. Awful experience. I've never tried any of these things that are listed in this piece of legislation but am I going to cast judgment on those that choose to do it? Of course I'm not. And that's the thing. This is what we've got here. We can't place some ideological view some conservative view that drugs are bad and the people that take them are doing a bad thing and therefore they should be told off and we should increase the laws and increase punishment and it's on them; it's their own fault.Let's just face up to a fact: some people take drugs and it is a bloody dangerous thing to do so let's bring in measures to make it safer. Bring in education and bring in testing at music festivals in particular so that if people make a choice to try a drug they can do so knowing that the stuff that the facts say is actually hurting them and actually killing people is not in the drug. When we step back from our personal views and look at the facts and show that the temporary bill that was brought in has been able to assist people in identifying that a significant proportion of the drugs that they tested were not what they thought it was this bill will save a lot of hardship a lot of pain and quite possibly save lives. So let's as a House put aside our personal views. I don't want people to take drugs and I say that with the greatest sincerity because I'm worried about it. I'm worried about the impact that it will have on them. I'm worried about the impact that it will have on society. But they're going to do it anyway so let's make sure that it's safer.I've learnt a lot since taking on this role since coming into Parliament four years ago. I went to my first music festival since being elected to this House and that was an eye-opening experience—literally. There were people that I think most people would be quite surprised to see engaging in these sorts of substances—respected people with respected professions from right around the country getting together enjoying themselves enjoying the company of their mates and their family and enjoying the music and things that were on offer. At times I felt uncomfortable. I'll be honest. It's not the sort of situation that I or someone in my job probably wants to be around so I removed myself at times.I was worried about what was in those products and the damage that it could do but in what this bill proposes there will be provisions available for people to check what they have and make sure that it is what they think it is. Then at least we will know it's safe. So whilst we still might not like it at least we will have that worry out of our minds. And one day if I am lucky enough to be a father I will have a conversation with my children and say "Look I don't really want you to do it but if you're going to do it make sure it's safe." Isn't that pretty much what we've all heard from our parents at various times when we were growing up? Make good choices—that's pretty much it isn't it?Simeon Brown: It simply just normalises it.KIERAN McANULTY: Look make good choices—that's the guts of it. One day you're going to be an adult. You can do what Simeon Brown does as he squeaks over there and says—casting judgment. That's what he's doing. He is casting judgment on people. He's got an opportunity now to bring in law that will save lives and help people and instead he's sitting there judging people. I refuse to do that. I commend this to the House."