Yesterday came the news that there were almost 2 million doses detected in wastewater sites over one week in April. One week. 2 million doses. Consumption in the first quarter of 2024 was 15% higher than it was over the previous four quarters.
The numbers are big, but beyond the numbers, that is a lot of misery. Just looking at the ODT today, two headlines stood out: 'No way out, mum sucked into major meth trafficking operation,' and 'Fatal crash caused by distressed speeding mum high on meth'. You've seen the same sort of thing. And the scary thing is that those 2 million doses were discovered in wastewater sites – doesn't even begin to cover the septic tanks. The areas where meth is rife, like the Far North and the East Coast of the North Island, aren't even counted.
Part of the reason for the massive upsurge might be cost. Apparently, the street price of meth in New Zealand is currently at its lowest level ever recorded thanks to a big intake from the internationals. Data from the Massey University New Zealand Drug Trends Survey says the average retail cost of meth is around about $334 per gram or $74 for a "point" (100 milligrams), so the price has come down by half over the last couple of years.
I know people who do recreational drugs. They dabble in alcohol, they dabble in cannabis, they dabble in cocaine, and they do dabble. They appear to be able to pick it up and put it down without their drug of choice impacting their families and their businesses. You would have to wonder, given the amount of meth that's being consumed, can you dabble in meth as well? Is it something you can do on the weekend? I'm probably not the best person to be talking about this, but does it give you energy? Is it one that powers you up or calms you down? I have absolutely no idea. So if you need to be powered up or calmed down, whatever the drug can do, can you take it and then leave it? Because all the stories around meth are very 'Go Ask Alice' and 'Requiem for a Dream' type stories. Horror stories of what happens when you pick up a drug and you cannot put it down. Given I have an addictive personality, I know enough to stay well clear of the illegal drugs. But surely, given the kilos and kilos being consumed, not everybody is a tragic wreck.
Why meth though? It's been around for a very, very long time and there have been I mean, easily the past 20 years we've been talking about how it can tear apart families, how it's funding gangs, how it's fuelling gang wars and turf wars. Why do you want to pay that money so that a gangster and his moll can fly first class to Europe? At least the gangsters who own liquor companies pay tax.
Now Northland leaders are warning against the arrival of fentanyl in this country. Otangarei Trust CEO Martin Kaipo said it was only a matter of time before the zombie drug made its way into the country as crims looked for new opportunities. And you cannot be confident that people will steer clear of fentanyl despite the fact that there have been so many videos, so many social media stories, so many stories on the mainstream media about what that drug can do to people. The images of the walking zombies, the living dead, makes synnies look like a vitamin tonic by comparison. But if the drug dealers see a new opportunity, they will take it. The drugs can get here, clearly. Your South American route down through the islands is basically a free passage for the drug exporters and importers.
Is it a drug you can dabble in? It's just when you look at the people who want to get off it and can't, that's the problem. You might think you might be able to dabble, but what happens when it starts to control you? There simply aren't the beds available if you want to detox. You'll be bloody lucky if you can find one. The damage it does to families, it's multi-generational in the Far North. People are trying desperately to, offer young people an alternative to drugs and drug dealing, but when there's not much up here up there, they see it as the only way they can make a crust. Who on earth is using the meth?
Kerre McIvor, is a journalist, radio presenter, author and columnist. Currently hosts the Kerre Woodham mornings show on Newstalk ZB - where this article was sourced.
Part of the reason for the massive upsurge might be cost. Apparently, the street price of meth in New Zealand is currently at its lowest level ever recorded thanks to a big intake from the internationals. Data from the Massey University New Zealand Drug Trends Survey says the average retail cost of meth is around about $334 per gram or $74 for a "point" (100 milligrams), so the price has come down by half over the last couple of years.
I know people who do recreational drugs. They dabble in alcohol, they dabble in cannabis, they dabble in cocaine, and they do dabble. They appear to be able to pick it up and put it down without their drug of choice impacting their families and their businesses. You would have to wonder, given the amount of meth that's being consumed, can you dabble in meth as well? Is it something you can do on the weekend? I'm probably not the best person to be talking about this, but does it give you energy? Is it one that powers you up or calms you down? I have absolutely no idea. So if you need to be powered up or calmed down, whatever the drug can do, can you take it and then leave it? Because all the stories around meth are very 'Go Ask Alice' and 'Requiem for a Dream' type stories. Horror stories of what happens when you pick up a drug and you cannot put it down. Given I have an addictive personality, I know enough to stay well clear of the illegal drugs. But surely, given the kilos and kilos being consumed, not everybody is a tragic wreck.
Why meth though? It's been around for a very, very long time and there have been I mean, easily the past 20 years we've been talking about how it can tear apart families, how it's funding gangs, how it's fuelling gang wars and turf wars. Why do you want to pay that money so that a gangster and his moll can fly first class to Europe? At least the gangsters who own liquor companies pay tax.
Now Northland leaders are warning against the arrival of fentanyl in this country. Otangarei Trust CEO Martin Kaipo said it was only a matter of time before the zombie drug made its way into the country as crims looked for new opportunities. And you cannot be confident that people will steer clear of fentanyl despite the fact that there have been so many videos, so many social media stories, so many stories on the mainstream media about what that drug can do to people. The images of the walking zombies, the living dead, makes synnies look like a vitamin tonic by comparison. But if the drug dealers see a new opportunity, they will take it. The drugs can get here, clearly. Your South American route down through the islands is basically a free passage for the drug exporters and importers.
Is it a drug you can dabble in? It's just when you look at the people who want to get off it and can't, that's the problem. You might think you might be able to dabble, but what happens when it starts to control you? There simply aren't the beds available if you want to detox. You'll be bloody lucky if you can find one. The damage it does to families, it's multi-generational in the Far North. People are trying desperately to, offer young people an alternative to drugs and drug dealing, but when there's not much up here up there, they see it as the only way they can make a crust. Who on earth is using the meth?
Kerre McIvor, is a journalist, radio presenter, author and columnist. Currently hosts the Kerre Woodham mornings show on Newstalk ZB - where this article was sourced.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.