United Future
Marc Alexander

Alexander: Drugs programmes great if backed up

"These programmes are crucial and very worthwhile, but will be little more than the ambulance at the foot of the proverbial cliff if not backed up with hard-hitting measures against those that deal drugs in our society," Mr Alexander, United Futureís law and order spokesman said.

"So, I say, well done, but now letís hit the dealers - and that means one thing: letís hit the gangs.

"They are for all intents and purposes the P and methamphetamine problem in this country," he said.

The spread of these programmes around the country simply served to show how entrenched drugs are in communities the length and breadth of New Zealand, Mr Alexander said in renewing his call for a cross-party approach to gangs and drugs.

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