Bennett to take reins in war on P
Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett will overhaul and lead a new Government approach to tackle methamphetamine.
This comes after a key intelligencegathering tool, launched by former Prime Minister Sir John Key to tackle methamphetamine, was scrapped and ministerial oversight of the drug dropped from the prime minister’s responsibilities.
Work on a methamphetamine progress report was suspended earlier this year. In a written response to the Herald’s inquiries, Bennett confirmed she would lead the revamp.
“I will be taking over responsibility for this programme as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Police. Details will be released in due course,” she said.
The nature of methamphetamine production and supply has shifted, according to experts.
Far less is being manufactured in New Zealand after a crackdown on precursors. Instead, the pure, fini shed product i s arriving in bulk. Seizures by Police and Customs increased from 31kg in 2013 to more than 900kg last year.
The current approach involves six government agencies — Corrections, Health, Police, Justice, Customs and Te Puni Kokiri.
The Methamphetamine Action Plan was established and fostered under Key in 2009 and run out of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Experts say the record levels of the drug found in New Zealand — almost a tonne in total found just last year — indicates ground has been lost in the battle.
At least 900kg of methamphetamine has been stopped either by Customs or seized by police, including the 494kg — half a billion dollars worth — found in a campervan in Northland last year.
Police Association president Chris Cahill said authorities made progress stemming precursor drugs entering NZ but now the ready- to- sell product was being imported in large amounts.
“It’s like when you put your finger on one part of the pipe, and it bursts out at a different part,” Cahill said.
Cahill said despite ministerial responsibility changing, the report could have been released.
“You would hate to think the interest and the concern from the Government is waning to the point that they don’t think it’s necessary to put out annual reports on what i s such a significant driver of crime.”