Bunbury parents urged to protest against opposition policy on marijuana

29/8/96

Premier Richard Court today urged parents in the Bunbury area to register a protest vote at the next State election against the Labor Party's policy of the decriminalisation of marijuana.

Mr Court made the comment following a question on the issue in State Parliament today by Liberal MLA Ian Osborne.

Mr Osborne drew the Premier's attention to a recent newspaper report in Bunbury which highlighted that three Bunbury teenagers had been taken to hospital in recent weeks after smoking marijuana.

Mr Osborne, who is chairman of the Bunbury Drug Action Group, asked the Premier whether in light of these incidents, the community of Bunbury should be concerned about the Labor Party's policy of decriminalising marijuana.

In response, the Premier said that all parents in Bunbury should be concerned about illicit drug use and in particular marijuana.

"Marijuana is a 'gateway' drug and there are concerns that it may be used by organised crime to encourage young people to take up the drug habit," he said.

"It is no coincidence that a recent major drug haul by the police in Perth found large quantities of marijuana along with other hard drugs including amphetamines and ecstasy.

"The people of Bunbury should register a protest vote against Labor's pro-drug policy.

"If the Labor Party win the seat of Bunbury, and ultimately government, their policy is an invitation for drug dealers to exploit young people even further.

"Only 50 people have to change their vote in Bunbury for the Labor Party to win this important marginal seat and risk marijuana being decriminalised.

"I urge the people of Bunbury not to take any risk and vote for the Liberal Party to ensure that drugs like marijuana remain illegal."

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9595