Lighting a fire in the fight against synthetic drugs
brought into force in 2013.”
At their meeting at the Jones’ Henderson home yesterday, which the Herald also attended, the trio discussed the aims of the bill and how Jones’ family could work with Brown to effect a change they feel New Zealand desperately needs.
Jones’ parents believe the impact and danger of synthetics has been minimalised and they have vowed to do all they can to get the message across to the community — and to protect other families from experiencing their loss and grief.
Lewis Jones said since his son died he had been “just chasing ghosts” trying to get answers and make sense of the tragedy. He hoped by working with Brown he could make a real difference. “For us to act on our own, we’ve got not chance, but with you ... ” he told Brown. “We’re both fighting this — and we can fight this together,” Brown replied. “Something’s got to happen, there’s too many people dying.” Jones’ mother told the MP that in the months before her son died he was desperate to get clean. He wanted to move in with his girlfriend, propose to her at Christmas and be a better son and father to his almost-3-year-old daughter.
He wanted to work, travel and help others beat their addiction. “He was terrified of his addiction.”
Brown, who said he has the full backing of National, hopes to get cross-party support for the bill.
Lewis Jones said it’s hard to speak about his son’s death but he will do what it takes to reduce the harm synthetics are doing to Kiwi families.
“You’ve got to strike a spark to light a fire. Calum would never back down without a fight . . . so I won’t.”