Law Society doubtful about drug bills

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32679, 7 August 1971, Page 2

Law Society doubtful about drug bills

<New Zealand Pre,, Association)

WELLINGTON, August 6. The Law Society today questioned whether legislation was the answer to the drug problem.

The society was making submissions to the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee considering three Government drug bills and a private member’s bill. Referring to the Government bills, the submissions, presented on behalf of the

society by Mr E. W. Thomas, said that much public reaction and comment tended to suggest that the way to deal with the drug problem was to pass further legislation. “The Law Society, however, accepts that legislation will ’ not of itself solve or check a social problem of the kind in question,” said Mr Thomas.

“Experience confirms that social ills cannot be ‘legislated’ away.

“The Law Society is riot saying, of course, that suitable statutory amendments are not worth while,” he said. “It is only making the point that it is under no illusions as to the effectiveness of legislation by itself to meet a problem of the kind in hand." Referring to the Welfare of Minors Bill, a private member’s bill introduced by Mr T. F. Gill (Nat., Waitemata), Mr Thomas isaid the society opposed this bill. "It is readily accepted that the bill emanates from a real appreciation of the seriousness of the drug problem and the need to take determined steps to combat it,” he said. “The society shares that concern, and is equally convinced that positive and effective proposals are necessary if the problem is to be alleviated or contained, but it does not agree that the provisions contained in this bill are either necessary or desirable.”