NAP call for pharmacotherapies for NT Politicians

The Network Against Prohibition has called on the NT Government to implement the full range of pharmacotherapies for drug-dependent members of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly.

The call comes after the shock revelation by the Speaker of the House Loraine Braham that she abuses Codeine.

After a marathon debate on the Legislative Assembly Members (Random Drug Testing) Bill, Braham MLA said “I think I need a codeine after that.”

NAP spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff said “Due to the stigma associated with illicit drug use, many politicians in the Northern Territory are forced to hide their drug use and are reluctant to access health and welfare services.”

The Network Against Prohibition have called for an immediate amnesty for all Northern Territory politicians with drug dependency issues – licit or illicit.

Gary Meyerhoff said “Politicians are human beings and should be afforded the same human rights as everyone else.”

The Government strongly opposed the bill, introduced by Country Liberal Party member Steve Dunham MLA.

Arguing against the Bill, Minister for Essential Services Dr Chris Burns MLA said “Random drug testing in the workplace has not been demonstrated by properly designed, scientific studies to achieve any of the spectacular results so often attributed to it.”

“I strongly believe it is difficulty to justify such testing in work settings……. because it strikes at the very foundation of individual rights and our legal system which has as its basis the presumption of innocence.”

“I do not want to live in a big brother state, with a big brother mentality. Our forefathers went to war against that sort of thing and that is why I oppose it.”

NAP spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff applauded the NT Government for their stance on the Bill saying “I agree wholeheartedly with the comments of Dr Burns”.

The Bill was defeated.

For further information call 0415 16 2525

To view the entire Hansard transcript see: http://www.napnt.org/pages/ntpollies_on_drugs1.html

Click here to get to the napnt homepage