Hamilton mother says: “Don’t take my rights away”
Rangi Harrison is opposed to fluoride in the city water supply
A Hamilton East ward voter says adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water is against her human rights.
Rangi Harrison, 35, a mother of three children, is studying towards a social work degree, ( Te tohu paetahi nga oranga poutoko whakarara oranga) at Te Wanaga O Aotearoa .
Harrison said she is happy with the council’s decision to take fluoride out of Hamilton’s water, and hopes the next elected council will make sure it stays that way.
“We should have the right to choose,” she said.
Harrison has done her share of research on the topic and believes she is well informed about both sides of the issue.
She said she understands why people want to have fluoride added to the water, but she believes most of those people have not looked at the other side of the debate.
“Fluoride only works topically and there is no scientific evidence to say ingesting fluoride has any benefits for our body,” she said.
One of the main points pro-fluoridation campaigners make is: that adding a low -level of fluoride to water will sustain the amount needed to protect the teeth of children susceptible to poor oral hygiene.
Harrison says she does not think adding fluoride to the water will fix the problem. She believes education is the key.
“It wouldn’t help those families half as much as what teaching them about good oral hygiene would do.”
She believes the most important issue here is the fact that if fluoride is added to the water it takes away people’s right to choose.
“If people really want to, you can actually buy fluoride tablets and you can fluoridate your own water. And tooth paste has fluoride in it.”
On the opposing side of this argument, some people say there are alternatives to receiving council-treated water.
Harrison disagrees with that, and does not think it would be fair.
“As a general principle I think our water should be as un-tainted as possible. If you choose to fluoridate your water then you have the option to. It’s a lot easier to have something added to your own water, than it is to have it removed.”
The fluoridation tribunal held by Hamilton City Council earlier this year gave the public an opportunity to voice their opinions. After hearing the arguments of both sides the HCC voted seven to one, to remove fluoride from Hamilton’s water.
The decision outraged many Hamiltonians who feel the council made a big mistake.
As a result of the uproar, voters will be given a chance to have their say in a fluoride referendum, as part of this year’s local government elections.
This will give voters an opportunity to have their opinion considered.
The topic also gives voters, with an opinion on the matter, the chance to size up the candidates and determine who has similar values to theirs.
Harrison said she has not decided who she will vote for yet. She wants to learn more about the candidates in her area and says their stance on fluoridation will have a huge influence on her decision.
