Anna Wood the face of ‘Say No To Drugs’

On behalf of Tony Wood, father of Anna Wood who is the face of Gunnedah’s Say No To Drugs, I thank, the honorable Kevin Anderson (NP) MP for advising that a bill is currently in NSW Parliament to decriminalise marijuana.

Mr Anderson has informed that he is not in favor of this Bill.

I have referenced that high profile members of NSW Parliament will be supporting a ‘yes’ vote, as this Bill has been the agenda for many years. Summit after summit has failed. Our concern is not about adults who have become addicted to marijuana; which is sad.

In October 1997, parents of Anna Wood came to Gunnedah for a public meeting at Smithurst Theatre. Tony and Angela Wood didn’t want other parents to suffer the grief that they had to experience in loss of their daughter Anna, who died after taking the drug ecstasy.

People who attended the meeting actually wanted help for their loved ones, who were taking drugs. A man I knew when asked to chair meeting started to cry. But did bravely agree to do so. This was 22 years ago in September. In September 2019, I met him at a church event and again thanked him. He said please keep going. Sadly he fears for a loved one recently became a reality.

I urge people to consider if marijuana is decriminalised it may encourage another generation of children in their formative years to have access to the drug without the fear of being charged with a crime. Now if we all remain silent and don’t take a stand for the on-coming generations, we have failed our children because children are our future, so please use your electronic media to lobby members of parliament.

Children are our future, let it be drug free. Please support all those who have lost loved ones and have not given up the battle to save others from the endless suffering that they have endured.

Children have the right to be born drug free.

Judith Law, Gunnedah