DRUGS MUST BE STAMPED OUT

The issue of drugs in our community is polarising and never far from
the media glare.

This week is no exception. On the front page of yesterday's Bay of
Plenty Times were details of a series of police raids targeting
organised criminals in the Bay this week.

Police, supported by other enforcement agencies, swooped on 32
properties, arrested 25 people and seized major quantities of drugs
such as P, cannabis and magic mushrooms, as well as guns.

Worryingly, they found a military-style semi-automatic in the
possession of a criminal with no firearms licence.

It was at least the ninth major drugs raid in the Bay in the past
year and, along with latest crime statistics, demonstrates police are
keeping the pressure on drug criminals.

And so they should.

Illegal drugs are a curse and cause so much damage across many parts
of society.

These include health problems and the undeniable link with crime.
They give people a reason to commit crime and hurt others in an
effort to get their fix or make money.

There will always be those who argue cannabis, at the least, should
be decriminalised and the very fact such drugs are illegal is what
drives gang crime in the first place.

But decriminalising cannabis for minor personal use will not stop the
problems it causes.

Others also argue alcohol causes more damage than cannabis.

There is no denying alcohol is a huge factor when it comes to health
and crime. One only has to read the columns of this paper or watch
the police television reality shows to see evidence of this.

But alcohol has been such an ingrained part of our social fabric for
years it would be next to impossible for any government to ban it and
stay in power.

Thousands use it responsibly and tightening its use for young people
and those who use it irresponsibly is a more sensible tactic.

None of these arguments is a reason to open the floodgates on
cannabis and add to the problems that already exist.
Decriminalisation would only create more misery and cost the country more.

The Law Commission has been using its influence to push for reform.

It wants cannabis to be legal for medicinal purposes and wants to
divert minor drug offenders through a cautioning system instead of the courts.

This organisation would be better to spend its time working out how
to cut crime rather than trying to relax the country's laws.

Another related issue is legal highs such as Kronic, which have also
been in the headlines and should be banned.

Yesterday's edition reported drug tests for it are now available for
workplace use.

There can be no doubt drugs will remain in the headlines. The lobby
group Norml, which promotes drug-law reform, has vowed to make it an
election issue.

It's difficult to take this group seriously.

The National Government has already said it opposes drug reform.

It must stick to its guns.

If anything, drug laws should be tightened.