Otago Uni dope-smokers go on the offensive against plain-clothed cops
Wed, 23 Jul 2008 6:39p.m.
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A cannabis-smoker lights up

http://www.3news.co.nz/News/NationalNews/Regions/Otago/OtagoUnidopesmoke...

Dunedin police have been forced to defend their use of plain-clothes officers to spy on marijuana smoke-ins at Otago University.

Those lobbying for the drug to be made legal have gone on the offensive with a campaign to expose the covert cops, whom they describe as "narks".

Pro-Cannabis protestors have "outed" plain-clothed cops who have infiltrated their bi-weekly smoke-ups on campus.

Posters revealing five plain-clothed officers have been plastered around the University, teaching students "how to spot a nark" in their classes.

3 News understands at least one officer has even enrolled at Otago.

"If you're dressing police up as university students, having them lurk around university pretending to be students surveilling the student public, it doesn't make them feel comfortable," Abe Gray from the Otago NORML Group says.

Smokers claim their flagrant law breaking is a valid form of protest. But they have come under increased scrutiny recently, with police arresting offenders and issuing trespass notices.

"Obviously we understand that cannabis is against the law and we run the risk of public action," one smoker says.

The Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) supports the NORML protesters, provided they are all legitimate students.

"It's because the smoking is a form of protest that the support is there," OUSA President Simon Wilson says. "It's not support for being able to smoke marijuana anytime on campus."

Dunedin police declined requests by 3 News for an interview, but claim their use of plain-clothed officers was not a formal undercover operation.

However they say those who continue to break the law and openly use drugs on campus can expect more attention.

3 News