Mum objects to drug booklet
An Auckland mother is horrified her daughter was given information by her high school on how to use methamphetamine discreetly.
Morgan Julian’s daughter was given a drugfree.org booklet during a Massey High School year 13 health class on May 1, outlining the best use of the Class A drug.
‘‘If a student was curious about using methamphetamine, the pamphlet told them how to use it,’’ Julian said.
The booklet provided advice such as how to take care of a meth-smoking pipe and to never be caught with more than 5 grams of meth – the threshold to be classified a dealer.
‘‘Meth is illegal. It’s also illegal to own a pipe. Be discrete [sic] and only keep less than 5 grams for personal use,’’ the pamphlet said.
The pamphlet also advised students on ways to hide meth use at school and advised them that swallowing meth was safer than injecting.
‘‘Swallowing meth allows your body to use its own filters. It saves your lungs from damage, produces a smoother and longer lasting high, and you’re less likely to use more.’’
Health advice around keeping people safe was also included in the pamphlet, including advice against mixing drugs.
The Drug Foundation supported the school’s use of the pamphlet, and said people were ‘‘living under a rock’’ if they didn’t think there was a meth problem in New Zealand.
However, Julian said the pamphlet was ‘‘disgusting.’’ The Whenuapai resident posted pages from it on social media, sparking similar outrage from others.
Julian said she contacted the school demanding to know why students were being given the pamphlet and was told that it was an education resource. ‘‘[The school is] trying to say the information was for people already doing meth and how to try and remedy the effects.’’
However, Julian disagreed with that. The pamphlet was still part of Massey High School’s health class, a school representative said.
A statement from Massey High School said the material in question was taken out of context from a larger book. The material could be found online and as part of an NZ Drug Foundation programme. The school did not condone illegal drug use, drugs at school, or teach students how to use drug instruments.
The Drug Foundation applauded Massey High School for using the material.
Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said the pamphlet was normally distributed in prisons, specifically for current meth users. ‘‘I applaud Massey High School for using it in the context that they used it in. People would be living under a rock if they didn’t think there wasn’t a meth problem in New Zealand.’’