Police Association Says Public Inquiry Into Methamphetamine Essential
“The time has come for the Government to convene a Commission of Inquiry into methamphetamine use and the threat it poses to New Zealanders,” Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.
“The United Nations Ecstasy and Amphetamines Global Survey 2003 released this week outlines the size of the problem. The Courts and hospitals have ample evidence of the extent of the problem and our media are full of reports on methamphetamine (and its pure form ‘p’),” Mr O’Connor said.
“Every Police Officer, social worker and other professional dealing with social problems is well aware of the extent of the problem. The Police Association, as voice of front line police officers, has been warning of the rising problem for eight years,” he said.
“We now believe a public commission of inquiry to ensure all aspects of the methamphetamine problem, including the growth of organised crime that accompanies it, is essential. Such an inquiry should be focused on making recommendations around legislation, resourcing and establishing early warning systems to detect future drug threats in New Zealand.”
Mr O’Connor said that the Police Association has written to the Prime Minister requesting an inquiry and that such an inquiry should be convened as early as possible as the problem is increasing markedly on a monthly basis.
