MPS GREET ANTI-DRUG MARCHERS AT PARLIAMENT

Pukekohe grandmother Marie Cotter led the Fight against P march into
Parliament yesterday, ending a journey that began in Auckland on
Monday. The 100 marchers - many of whom were former P users or had
family members addicted to the drug - braved a sudden downpour and
hail-storm to place photos of family members who had died from P
abuse at the base of the statue of Richard Seddon.

Greeting them were about 20 MPs, including National leader Don Brash,
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, United Future leader Peter
Dunne, Maori Party leader Pita Sharples and Cabinet ministers Nanaia
Mahuta and David Benson-Pope.

The MPs were united in their support of the marchers and many spoke
of the urgent need to address the damage the drug was causing.

Dr Brash said P affected all New Zealanders from all backgrounds, a
point he says was brought home to him when he discovered the daughter
of a National Party electorate chairman was addicted to P.

Dr Sharples said P was the worst drug New Zealand had seen.

"It tears families apart."