Association Gives Guarded Endorsement For Methamphetamine Budget Announcement
"Provided this is new funding and not money taken from elsewhere in the Police budget, the $39m addition to the fight against methamphetamine and gangs will be welcomed," Police Association President, Greg O'Connor, said today.
Mr O'Connor was responding to an announcement by the Hon Jim Anderton, Phil Goff and George Hawkins' offices of a four year increase in funding in the upcoming budget. "Frontline staff will be awaiting next week's budget to confirm that this is in fact extra funding before we crack open champagne bottles" Mr O'Connor said.
"Certainly, if it does represent new funding over four years, it will assist considerably in the fight against the production of methamphetamine and it's pure form 'P'."
"Most serious violent crimes today have a 'P' element to them" Mr O'Connor said, "and only reducing the availability of 'P' on the street will assist in reducing this offending."
"The authorities, including Government and Police are in catch up mode with the organised criminals who have become entrenched and wealthy on the back of the meth epidemic," Mr O'Connor said.
"This sort of investment is essential to ensure we reduce the amount of methamphetamine available on the streets of New Zealand," he said.
