Couple accused of selling children's medicine

An unemployed Taranaki couple have been arrested for allegedly selling their children's prescription medication.

Police allege that for at least the past year, Roger James White, 53, and Myra Anne White, 48, have been selling the Ritalin prescribed for their two teenage children who suffer from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

"It is a disturbing matter that people would do such a thing," Senior Sergeant Blair Burnett said.

The prescription drug possessed similarities to amphetamines, although less potent, but its stimulant effects were more closely related to cocaine, he said.

The addictive drug was cheaper than methamphetamine, costing between $5 and $10 a pill and could be injected, smoked or snorted.

It was known as a "poor man's methamphetamine," and was well sought after by drug users and abusers, Mr Burnett said.

The couple appeared in Hawera District Court yesterday and were remanded on bail to reappear on May 11.

- NZPA