MP raises concern on porn, drugs

THE illegal use or possession of drugs, weapons (firearms) and pornography or all three by youths is of grave concern to the State, Community Development, Youth and Religion Minister Wake Goi says.
“This points to (unhealthy) trends growing among youths and communities,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Goi was referring to the case of eight men, including two recently elected ward councillors, who were arrested last Thursday in Lae with dangerous drugs (marijuana), an automatic pistol and 15 rounds of live cartridges and mobile phones containing pornographic pictures and videos.
“Although it was an isolated case, there is a growing prevalence of possessing such illegal items,” he said.
“PNG has made significant strides in the information communications technology but this also has a downside.
“The accessibility to pornography and obscene materials on the Internet promotes an unhealthy culture or influence.”
“With development comes unique challenges that telecommunication companies, State entity Telikom, the National Censorship Board, the police, my department and related stakeholders should think about embarking on a combined proactive approach to arrest this scourge on society.”
Goi said the minister responsible for National Narcotics Bureau (NNB) had instructed the bureau director-general Kiria Kotange to liaise with the Lae police command to provide a full investigative brief on the arrests of the eight.
“The brief should ascertain the quantity and quality of drugs seized, the street value, the source of supply and the intended destination of the drugs,” he said.
“This will help us formulate polices to help police and the NNB with the prosecution of drug smugglers and offenders.”