O'Connor Damien: Motions — Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ketamine) Order 2009 and the Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply—Ketamine) Order 2009—Approval 
O'Connor Damien: Motions — Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ketamine) Order 2009 and the Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply—Ketamine) Order 2009—Approval 
[Volume:662;Page:10672] 
Hon DAMIEN O’CONNOR (Labour) 
: 
 I am led to believe that the Associate Minister of Health the Hon Peter Dunne who moved this motion in the House should be congratulated on an award that was made last night. I am not quite sure what it was but I am sure that he received something. I have been informed of that by my colleagues. 
Labour will of course support this motion to approve the Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ketamine) Order 2009 and the Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply—Ketamine) Order 2009. How could any party object to the wiser use of a drug that potentially could be misused by young people in this country? It is important to specify as previous speakers have done the harm that is currently caused in this country by ketamine. That harm is at a very low level at this point. So I applaud the Associate Minister for moving this motion which is clearly making the case that prevention is better than cure. If we had done this with other drugs this country would be a whole lot better off. The previous speaker made reference to both nicotine and alcohol. If we were starting from a different place I am sure we would have a similar amendment to regulations and legislation. 
When I read through the effects on recreational users of this drug ketamine I see that it delivers a short duration of hallucinogenic effects—as I guess a very good cup of coffee might do. I am not trying to make light of it but I think we do have to keep certain things in mind. It is usually snorted as a powder so I guess some people might pretend they are having cocaine. Well if they stick to this drug it might be a good alternative way to get their hits. 
It is a sad reality that young people and older people resort to drug use and that no matter what we block or make illegal smart people around the world will come up with a new kind of drug. This drug to be fair is used at higher levels in Asian countries. That is why I think it is very fair for the Associate Minister and the whole House to assume that its prevalence could increase in this country. I think it is logical that we put in place some provisions that secure its storage. Vets and pharmacists will have to protect their supplies so it cannot be lifted easily and there will be some penalties for illegal supply. 
Let us look at those changes and at what will happen when we have reclassified the drug. There are some fairly severe penalties here and that leads to a question that I am sure will be asked by many intelligent young people. As was said earlier the effects of the use of this drug are not that severe. They are short term. In emergency departments across this country there have been in the last year two or three cases of hospitalisation through ketamine misuse but there have been hundreds of cases of alcohol misuse. 
In supporting this motion I challenge to the Government to take up the package of recommendations from the Law Commission on alcohol use. When doctors specialists and nurses tell us every week that hundreds of people are in emergency departments because of alcohol misuse the careful considerations of the Law Commission must be taken up by the Associate Minister and his colleagues in Cabinet. The Government should bring to this House comprehensive proposals and legislation that address alcohol-related harm. 
We will look like a bunch of idiots and I have to say like a bunch hypocrites if we do not move on alcohol which affects thousands of people every weekend when we bring to this House a perfectly sound reasonable proposition to reclassify ketamine which puts two to three people each year into emergency departments. So let us be consistent. We have moved on tobacco and I applaud the Government for that. I think it was a good move but we have yet to see just how committed this Government really is to reducing the harm caused by alcohol. 
The penalties in the case of ketamine are very severe. Supplying this drug to anyone under the age of 18 years carries a maximum penalty of up to 8 years’ imprisonment. That is a severe penalty for a drug that puts two to three people into the emergency department each year and I again compare that with alcohol. Let us get real here. Let us take the bull by the horns and take the opportunity to address drug harm in this country. It is upon this Minister and all Ministers to bring comprehensive recommendations back to the House. 
Labour supports this reclassification on the basis that we want to reduce harm from the misuse of any drug in New Zealand. We think that this is a good move at this time and we will be supporting it. 
Motion agreed to.