Subj: New Zealand: Police Ease Stance on Decriminalising Dope



Source: Evening Post (New Zealand)



Pubdate: Wed, 05 Aug 1998



Author: Guyon Espinor



POLICE EASE STANCE ON DECRIMINALISING DOPE



Police are open-minded about decriminalising cannabis, Assistant

Commissioner of police Ian Holyoake told a Parliamentary inquiry into the

mental health effects of the drug.



Mr Holyoake told Parliament's health select committee today that while

police were opposed to legalisation of the drug, he believed

decriminalisation warranted further investigation.



"We would think legalisation was completely wrong.  We would be prepared to

look at other possibilities, which must include decriminalisation," Mr

Holyoake said.



He signalled that police were willing to look at supporting putting

possession of the drug on a similar footing to traffic offences, where

infringement notices were issued rather than criminal charged laid.



"There are instant fines for offences which perhaps take away the criminal

stigma that worries a number of people," he said.



Mr Holyoake said that the legal direction in relation to cannabis was one

he believed warranted further investigation.



Last week, the Ministry of Health told the committee that cannabis did not

pose a big health risk to users.



Mr Holyoake said the police were unable to support that view because of

conflicting evidence on the health effects.



Today, Mr Holyoake said that the traditional law enforcement "crime

control" approach to cannabis had not reduced cannabis use.