NZ First may change drug testing policy

NZ First may change its policy on drug testing after a heated debate instigated by the party’s youth wing at its conference.

Young NZ First hoped the party would change its opposition to drug testing at festivals, saying it would save lives.

MPs Darroch Ball and Mark Patterson strongly opposed the motion but the party members eventually voted in favour.

The all important voice of party leader Winston Peters was missing from the debate.

The conference was told he would not be speaking while members debated the motion themselves.

Young NZ First spoke on the motion, saying it would reduce harm.

Robert Gore, a young NZ First member, said it would save lives.

He told delegates to look past their opposition to drugs, and think about giving young people who used drugs a second chance.

‘‘Don’t let the feeling of sin stop you from trying to repent, give the young people a chance at repentance if not a second chance at life,’’ Gore said.

The NZ First caucus stopped a plan to introduce pill testing at festivals this summer.

Police Minister Stuart Nash had backed the move to introduce testing in time for the summer festival season. The current law leaves those involved in drug testing in a grey area, according to Nash.

The youth wing of the party disagreed with its MPs and fought to discuss the policy.

The party agreed, by a narrow margin, to ‘‘re-evaluate’’ its approach to pill testing ‘‘to be in favour’’. It doesn’t necessarily mean the party will officially change its position, as remits still have to be agreed to by MPs.