Hey there,

Nick Spencer here, I am a long term member of NORML and was involved in AU NORML throughout the 90s while at Uni. I am just writing to offer my support to all your student members at Otago Uni, I am back at AU myself now!!

As far as I can see, the best option is to rally the students and lobby OUSA for support through their legal services. Get OUSA to get a legal opinion on whether the Undercover Ops Laws are being followed i.e. is it necessary to have 5 or more undercovers breaching the University students privacy to arrest students in a political lobby group for a minor crime.

If it was supply, I would consider the police might have a chance at justifying their level of resources i.e. a group of students selling Class A on campus.(such as heroin) Possession of a Class C drug for personal use is a minor crime and police should be focusing their 5 or more offices on serious violent crime and theft!! There has also been the issue of freedom of political expression at University. It is a place for the free exchanging of ideas, and that is why OUSA should make the police justify their actions in regards to student rights and freedom being trampled on!!

I have talked to the General Manager of AUSA early this year about police on AUSA property. He stated to me they have to still be invited in by AUSA, are there for serious crime only, and was assured they would not be arresting anyone for smoking a joint. AUSAs policy is to get police to know the geography of the Student Union Buildings for emergencys like gun rampages, but smoking a joint? I'd be tearing the ear out of David Do(real good guy..hard worker!!) the student pres if he decided to change this policy.

The problem lies with OU management inviting the undercovers onto campus. This is a serious breach of student's civil liberties and human rights, as is cannabis prohibition. OUSA should get straight on to them. I'm going to write an article for Craccum today if I haven't missed the deadline. Kia kaha, stand strong.

Tena koe,
Nick Spencer