The government has allocated $3 million for initiatives aimed at reducing the demand for methamphetamine in Northland.
The government has allocated $3 million for initiatives aimed at reducing the demand for methamphetamine in Northland.
Te Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis has welcomed the government's allocation of $3 million for initiatives aimed at reducing the demand for methamphetamine in Northland, but he's not yet convinced that it will achieve much.
Prime Minister John Key announced on Monday that $15 million seized from criminals under theCriminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act would be invested in anti-drug initiatives, the biggest share, $3 million, going towards a joint police and Ministry of Health initiative to reduce methamphetamine demand in Northland.
The police and ministry will work together to identify methamphetamine users so they can be offered the full range of support available.
Mr Davis said he wouldn't criticise anyone who wanted to "throw $3 million at Te Tai Tokerau" but it was a little early to celebrate.
"Will it be enough? Will it go to the right places? Will it lead to more resources?" he asked.
"If it's not enough then I hope the government recognises that, and boosts it."
The need was extreme, he said. The police were under-resourced, and the drug was having a huge impact on a range of services, from Women's Refuge to CYF, schools, the health system and mental health services. It was also clear that Corrections' drug rehabilitation programmes were not working well.
"Good on the government for doing this, but we will wait and see," Mr Davis added.
"We also need to know how any benefits that might be achieved with this money will be measured."
Northland District Police Commander Superintendent Russell Le Prou said any resources put towards tackling the supply and use of methamphetamine was a "sensible step" and could make a real difference to crime rates.
Earlier in the year Northland Police made a record seizure of methamphetamine with an approx New Zealand street value of $448 million.
"Unfortunately, methamphetamine is a growing issue in our communities, and its use is often a driver of other crime. Police take this issue very seriously, as dealers of methamphetamine cause extreme hardship to our communities and families," he said.
Police investigations identified drug dealers' customers, and police in Northland were taking the opportunity to work on reducing demand for the drug.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said while police were committed to stopping the supply of methamphetamine, they were also looking at ways to reduce its use in the community.
"Drug dealers constantly exploit those who are addicted, and drive them to commit more crime to fund their habit," he said, adding that the police and the Ministry of Health were still in the early stages of developing the new initiative, and more detailed information would be available in due course.
