Anti-drug crusader ready for round two
-->Linda Forbes is determined to see Oamaru become a synthetic cannabis-free town.
Last month, she took a stand against the sale of synthetic cannabis products in Oamaru by staging a protest walk down Thames Highway and after national exposure and overwhelming support for the cause, she's made plans for another protest.
``I've kept the signs and I'm even more determined now because I've been reading so many more heartbreaking stories,'' Mrs Forbes said.
During her campaign, she had heard numerous stories of how synthetic cannabis products had turned ``good kids into criminals''.
``There were so many people that told me stories, those people need to take a stand and come with me,'' she said.
In the coming weeks, Mrs Forbes story will be featured in That's Life magazine.
She said shortly after the first protest she was approached by the magazine to talk about her family's struggle with synthetic cannabis
``I've nearly lost one child to drugs and my 15-year-old has tried the K2 so I know from experience that it's bad. It's so bad,'' she said.
The article will be accompanied by pictures of her daughter when she was seriously ill in hospital as well as new photos.
By staging another protest, Mrs Forbes said she hoped to raise more awareness of the dangers of synthetic cannabis in the hope that local retailers will cease its sale.
With a legal high that mimics the effects of cannabis, the synthetic drug is believed to be on sale in at least three Oamaru outlets.
Everybody needed to know that, by selling the synthetic cannabis, the retailers were putting lives at risk, she said.
``Anyone could go into the shop to get an ice cream or bread and end up in there with someone with a knife,'' she said.
``It's not worth putting everybody that comes into your shop at risk.''
For updates on Mrs Forbes' second protest on February 16 at 11am, see her Facebook page ``Help stop legal highs''.
The Oamaru police are aware of the protest plans.
