MP for Taupo, Louise Upston, is urging members of the public to make submissions to the Psychoactive Substances Bill to help control the sale of ‘legal highs.’

“There has been a large level of concern from the community about party pills and synthetic cannabis products that some retailers are selling,” Louise said. “You can now have you say on this issue, so I’m encouraging people to make a submission to the select committee . We want to see a wide range of views represented.”

The Psychoactive Substances Bill regulates psychoactive substances, or “legal highs”, so products have to be proved low-risk before they can be sold.

At the moment, these products are unregulated, with no control over ingredients, place of sale, or who they can be sold to.

If the bill is passed it will be illegal to sell any product which has not been through an assessment. There will be strict restrictions on where products can be sold, the purchase age, and marketing restrictions. Manufacturers of legal high products will have to prove their product is low-risk before it can be manufactured and sold.

Cleaning up the “legal high” industry is part of Government’s drive to deliver better public services.

Louise has had the issue of legal highs raised by many constituents, and believes there has been pressure on those who sell it from the community.

“I have heard from constituents who have used synthetic products, and those who have been affected by friends or family taking them. There is a crippling negative impact for many people who use these drugs, and you can be exposed to significant dangers while experiencing the effects of these substances. Most people I have spoken to want the sale of these drugs more heavily regulated, which is what this bill is all about.”

Louise said New Zealanders deserve to know that products available to them are safe and that they’re not being put in harm’s way with untested, risky substances.

To make a submission go to www.parliament.nz and search for ‘Psychoactive Substances Bill.’ Submissions close on Wednesday, 1 May.

MP for Taupo, Louise Upston, is thrilled that heart patients in her electorate are receiving care faster than they have in the past.

Health Minister Tony Ryall announced yesterday that there has been real improvement in the quality of care patients receive.

“Data shows that 18 months ago only 33% of people in the central North Island were receiving an angiogram within 72 hours of presenting with serious chest pain – one of the lowest intervention rates in the country,” Mr Ryall said. “Now, 70% or more patients regularly receive an angiogram within 72 hours, which is important because this medical imaging enables blood vessels and the heart to be viewed.”

The improvements are due to a partnership between the New Zealand Cardiac Network and the Lakes and Waikato Midland District Health Boards.

“The more patients who are receiving angiograms sooner means less patients who are likely to have a heart attack because their condition can be diagnosed early,” Louise said. “We are now getting patients to special care quicker which is great news for everyone.”

The Midland Acute Coronary Syndrome Project focused on ensuring patients who have serious heart symptoms are assessed promptly and at least 70% of those who should undergo an angiogram receive this within three days. Also those assessed as lower-risk receive further evaluation within 48 hours of presenting with symptoms.

Louise applauded the Lakes and Waikato DHBs for having achieved faster, better care for patients through innovative changes in clinical practice.

For more information visit: www.midlanddhbs.health.nz

Local MP Louise Upston has welcomed the announcement that $3 million will be invested to protect the quality of Lake Taupo’s water.

Environment Minister Amy Adams made the announcement yesterday and said extra funding will be used to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in nitrogen in the lake.

“Lake Taupo has significant economic, cultural and environmental value for New Zealanders,” Minister Adams said. “It is important that we continue to restore the lake’s water quality so that people can make the most of this unique environment in the years to come.”

As the MP for Taupo, Louise has strongly advocated to ensure further protection of Lake Taupo’s water quality.

“I’ve worked with farmers, the Lake Taupo Protection Trust, local and regional councils and other stakeholders to ensure the quality of water in New Zealand’s largest lake is among the best in the world,” Louise said.

To date the Lake Taupo work programme has been successful in significantly reducing the amount of nitrogen getting into the lake by getting land owners to change farming practices. High nitrogen levels in lakes and rivers can harm micro-organisms and cause algal blooms

 The Government has already committed $35.5 million to ensure Lake Taupo’s water quality is protected long term. Together with funds provided by Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council, this forms a joint fund of $75.4 million.

“Lake Taupo is important to the people of Taupo as well as the thousands of visitors who spend time in the region each year,” Louise said. “Not only is the lake a source of drinking water, but it is a jewel in New Zealand’s tourism crown and a popular holiday destination for Kiwis year-round.

“The benefits of keeping Lake Taupo’s water protected are important for our economy and the environment,” Louise said. “That is why the Government has committed substantial funding towards cleaning up New Zealand’s most iconic waterways, of which Lake Taupo is one.”

MP for Taupo, Louise Upston, has been impressed by the work being undertaken at Tongariro/Rangipo Prison. The Department of Correction facility, which is located near Turangi, is a working prison holding up to 540 low-to-medium security male prisoners.

Louise visited the prison last week as part of a Safer Communities site visit, and was impressed by what she saw.

“Tongariro/Rangipo Prison is the perfect example of a working prison,” she said. “Work is a fundamental part of rehabilitation and the training these inmates are undertaking will help to make our communities safer.

As a working prison, Tongariro/Rangipo is involved in the Government’s plan to focus on enhancing prison operations to help reach the target of a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017.

Included in this plan was the introduction of Department of Corrections Prison League Tables, which provide accurate monitoring and evaluation of prisons’ performance. Prisons are now measured on their performance against each other in a range of areas including security, assaults, drug tests and rehabilitation programmes. They are then categorised in four performance grades, with the resulting tables released quarterly.

Tongariro/Rangipo is one of six prisons that are exceeding expectations, the facility has been graded as an ‘exceptional’ prison.

“This is testament to the prison staff who are doing a great job,” Louise said. “Corrections and Police work closely together, from planning for offenders to come back into their communities, through to supporting and monitoring them. I commend them on the great job they do in helping to keep the community safe.”

During her visit to the prison, Louise also witnessed inmates working towards qualifications which will help reduce reoffending.

“If we can give prisoners access to an education while inside the wire, they will be able to make a positive contribution to society. By learning literacy and numeracy skills and earning qualifications they will be more likely to hold down jobs instead of returning to crime.”

The Social Sector Youth Trials, a community involvement scheme for youths, is being extended further into South Waikato communities after its successful debut in Tokoroa.

Louise Upston, MP for Taupō, announced the expansion of the successful trials at a meeting at Tokoroa’s Youth Media and Music Hub last week.

The expansion is part of a nationwide programme for youth which offers advice and support for young people while facilitating them to make good decisions on their own. The programme is aimed at increasing participation in education, training and employment through decreasing truancy, youth offending and drug and alcohol abuse.

The trials were originally rolled out in Tokoroa for a two year period and will now extend to Tirau and Putaruru until 2014 on the back of the encouraging response the programme has received.

“The Tokoroa community can be proud of itself for taking ownership of this scheme and making it work,” Louise said. “This is a great example of what can happen when a community comes together with the aim to achieve and I’m proud that due to the success of the trials in Tokoroa they will be introduced in ten new locations around New Zealand.”

At the announcement of the expansion, Louise said it was great to see such a positive, central government initiative being rolled out in the community and making such a huge difference to young people’s lives.

“We’re starting to see a reduction in truancy, we’ve got more young people in education, training and employment, and a large number of local young people have made structured plans to help themselves to succeed.

“I’m looking forward to even more young people taking part in the Youth Trials as they extend and expand into the great South Waikato region,” Louise said.

More information on the Youth Trials can be found at http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/initiatives/social-sector-trials/index.html