National announces plan to combat methamphetamine

The National Party has announced its plan to address the supply and demand for methamphetamine.

On a visit to Hawke’s Bay today, Leader Judith Collins announced the party’s plan that will address supplies entering prisons, target organized crime networks, increase drug dogs at airports, and establish a disputable $ 50 fund. million for reduction programs.

“National’s plan addresses the harm of methamphetamine use, restoring hope to people trapped in cycles of drug dependence and challenging those who traffic misery in our communities,” Collins said.

“The use of this drug separates families, fuels violence, enriches criminals and destroys lives. We cannot tolerate the continued misery caused by this drug, which leads to increasing levels of violence and poverty, and widespread social damage.”

The national plan to address demand:

• Implement the Methamphetamine Treatment Matrix Pilot Program at five District Health Boards at 11 locations to provide direct support to those recovering from methamphetamine use.

• Add 13 methamphetamine detox beds across New Zealand, ensuring that every district health board has at least one.

• Make sure there is at least one DHB full-time equivalent specialist available to assist with inpatient methamphetamine detoxification.

• Establish a disputable $ 50 million fund to pilot new or expanded harm reduction programs for the entire community.

• Establish best practices for frontline police to refer methamphetamine users to DHBs, Ministry of Social Development, educational resources, and community support.

Health spokesperson Dr. Shane Reti said National will reduce demand by improving the health response and providing new treatment options.

Justice spokesman Simon Bridges said there must also be a strong response from law enforcement agencies to disrupt the entry of methamphetamine into the country.

“We will develop the capacity to intercept the international crime cartels that are bringing this problem to our shores. Good intelligence and international cooperation will be a priority under National.

“There can be no tolerance for the trafficking and supply of methamphetamine. Those who sell this drug are responsible for the misery and social damage it causes.”

National’s plan to address supply:

• Increase funding for drug intelligence so that customs, police, and health authorities can identify drugs entering the country.

• Increase funding for police and health to identify new drugs and defective batches sooner.

• Introduce more drug dogs at airports and ports.

• Identify a new supply disruption strategy to reduce methamphetamine use in correctional facilities.

• Target national organized crime networks with special attention and resources from the police.

Methamphetamine is the most commonly detected illicit drug across the country. Social agencies identify it as a significant factor in domestic and family violence.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution to what has become a scourge for our society,” Collins said.

“A national government will tackle this problem from all angles, addressing both demand and supply.”

National said it has a “strong track record” in fighting methamphetamine with the Methamphetamine Action Plan introduced, leading to an increase in seizures of the drug and a 59% reduction in use as a proportion of the population, between 2009 and 2015.

“Labor rescinded National’s renewed Action Plan in 2018 in favor of an ad-hoc and fragmented approach to drug harm,” Bridges said.

“We will restore the social investment approach throughout the justice system, ensuring that the impacts of crime, as well as its causes, are addressed.”