❓ A parliamentary question challenges the WA government's cannabis decriminalisation policy, linking it to youth suicide and mental health issues, particularly in regional areas. The Minister defends the policy, highlighting existing mental health services and broader factors affecting youth wellbeing.
AnsweredQoN 106Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 March 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s
Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Gallop Government’s decision to give Western Australia the softest cannabis laws in the nation, and ask - (1) Does the minister accept the findings of Professor Sven Silburn of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, who is also a member of the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention, that smoking marijuana more than 50 times a year - once a week on average - could double the chances of youths committing suicide? (2) Does the minister grasp the fact that regional Western Australia has an alarming suicide rate that is consistently higher than that in metropolitan Perth? (3) Will the minister accept that the decriminalisation of a drug that is related to suicide, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety is clearly not good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(1) Does the minister accept the findings of Professor Sven Silburn of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, who is also a member of the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention, that smoking marijuana more than 50 times a year - once a week on average - could double the chances of youths committing suicide? (2) Does the minister grasp the fact that regional Western Australia has an alarming suicide rate that is consistently higher than that in metropolitan Perth? (3) Will the minister accept that the decriminalisation of a drug that is related to suicide, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety is clearly not good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(2) Does the minister grasp the fact that regional Western Australia has an alarming suicide rate that is consistently higher than that in metropolitan Perth? (3) Will the minister accept that the decriminalisation of a drug that is related to suicide, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety is clearly not good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(3) Will the minister accept that the decriminalisation of a drug that is related to suicide, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety is clearly not good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(1) Does the minister accept the findings of Professor Sven Silburn of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, who is also a member of the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention, that smoking marijuana more than 50 times a year - once a week on average - could double the chances of youths committing suicide? (2) Does the minister grasp the fact that regional Western Australia has an alarming suicide rate that is consistently higher than that in metropolitan Perth? (3) Will the minister accept that the decriminalisation of a drug that is related to suicide, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety is clearly not good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(2) Does the minister grasp the fact that regional Western Australia has an alarming suicide rate that is consistently higher than that in metropolitan Perth? (3) Will the minister accept that the decriminalisation of a drug that is related to suicide, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety is clearly not good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(3) Will the minister accept that the decriminalisation of a drug that is related to suicide, depression, schizophrenia and anxiety is clearly not good social policy? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
(1)-(3) I thank the member for her question. Let me make this point clear: this Government has not and never will legalise cannabis. What this Government has done is decriminalise, and there is a big difference. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Ms S.M. McHALE: In 2001 we held a drug summit, at which members of the community were brought together, including young people; people opposed to cannabis and people with knowledge about mental health and depression. Out of that drug summit we developed a very sound policy - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
Ms S.M. McHALE: The reality is that mental health is an issue for young people, that suicide in our community is an issue, and that this Government is making sure that there are services in regional WA - places like Albany and the Kimberley - to support the young people who face a range of issues. The reality in the community is that mental health and issues amongst young people have been around for a long time. To say that the Government and its policy on cannabis will increase the rate of mental illness among our young people is a fallacious argument and does not do justice to the real issues that affect young people, such as alienation, employment, unemployment and sexuality. Let us get real, Mr Speaker and members of the Opposition. Let us really understand the issues confronting young people, and stop the fallacious argument that the Government’s position will ruin the lives of young people. Issues surrounding mental health have been around for a long time. Young people need to be helped with proper services. Mental health issues should not be brushed under the carpet.
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