Rentals properties targeted by ‘P’ users
Reporter looks into methamphetamine testing on properties, for our series
A brand new home in the Waikato had to be decontaminated following positive signs of methamphetamine use by tradesmen involved with its construction.
This incident is just the tip of the iceberg for Morrinsville’s Wayne Robb and his business, Meth Test Waikato, which now inspects homes around the Waikato for methamphetamine use.
A national drug agency report indicated up to 40 per cent of houses test positive for the drug, also known as ‘‘P’’. It would indicate the number of P labs are increasing every year.
Robb can recall many horror stories where families have been exposed to the drug in the houses they lived.
He has seen rental properties which have been almost deconstructed to remove traces of methamphetamine in order to make them liveable.
And Robb is also the first to tell landlords to have premises tested between tenants to ensure tenants have a safe environment to live in.
‘‘It is always good to get a negative result back from the laboratory but it’s not common,’’ said Robb.
He is keen for motels and hotels to have their premises tested on a regular basis, as methamphetamine users will smoke whenever and whereever.
The accommodation industry he said is ‘‘blinded to who methamphetamine users are’’.
‘‘One motelier rejected my approach saying, ‘we don’t allow those types of people to stay in their premises’,’’ he said.
‘‘My question is, describe a meth user?
‘‘Statistics show they are business people in their suits to the not-so-well groomed.
‘‘Demographics are not what landlords expect, with recorded offenders 63 per cent European, 55 per cent aged 31-45,’’ said Robb.
While the national figures are alarming, Robb’s concerns are in the Waikato where his results confirm 50 per cent of rural house testing is positive.
Robb has discovered P labs, and while concerned has never been threatened, but is aware ‘‘situations can change rapidly’’.
Robb would like to see landlords have rental property inspections carried out on a regular basis and warns the costs associated with deconstruction of an affected property could be great.
‘‘Currently insurance covers the damage caused by meth use but companies are looking to cap the amounts on a claim.’’