Govt considering way to deal with 'P' problem, says Key

The Government is looking at a wide range of measures it could take to get on top of the methamphetamine problem, Prime Minister John Key says.

"I do sense there's a really strong desire from the community for the Government to show some leadership...it's a $1.5 billion problem, it's wrecking lives and it's wrecking families," he said at his post-cabinet press conference today.

"As a parent I can tell you...obviously you worry about your children."

Mr Key said the first issue the Government was considering was precursors, the chemicals that are used to make the drug which is known as `P'.

He said he was going to ask his newly-appointed science adviser, Professor Peter Gluckman, whether it would be possible to eliminate pseudoephedrine from the manufacture of cold tablets.

Pseudoephedrine is a main precursor for methamphetamine and can be distilled from cold tablets.

"I think it's a little early to say we can do that, but it's my understanding some US states have taken that action and certainly let's look at the options available," he said. "If we're going to seriously get on top of P we need to take a holistic and liberal approach, it's not one single thing in isolation that's going to solve the problem."

Mr Key said rehabilitation for methamphetamine victims was also important.

"There's a number of things we're working on, it's largely being coordinated out of my office and in due course I'll have more to say about it."

- NZPA