Testing of wastewater flushed down Whangarei's toilets has revealed high levels of methamphetamine use compared to people living in Christchurch and Auckland.
The results showed of the 47,000 Whangarei residents contributing to the Wastewater Treatment plant on Kioreroa Rd, consumed more than double the amount of methamphetamine than those in Auckland and nearly four times the amount than those living in Christchurch per 1000 people.
The results released yesterday come as no surprise to Northland's leading officer Superintendent Russell Le Prou who said the tests provided an ongoing baseline to measure both treatment and enforcement relating to the illegal drug.
"In both a crime and social harm and health sense what we have seen over the preceding couple of years has led to a no surprise result for the wastewater testing," Mr Le Prou said.
"It has shown us enough to know we have a Northland-wide issue ... the wastewater might just be Whangarei but its enough to tell us that methamphetamine is endemic in our community."
There had been an increase in aggravated robberies over the last few years and methamphetamine was a driver for many crimes in the region.
"The importance of the wastewater work is it gives us a baseline in Whangarei that allows us to compare some of the results of search warrants and seizures of methamphetamine and ultimately in the long term the impact of referrals to our health partners and treatment around addictions and high-end users to see if that works," Mr Le Prou said.
When a drug is used it enters the body and undergoes chemical transformations to produce a metabolite, which can be tested for.
Wastewater samples for the last four months were taken from three sites — Whangarei, Auckland and Christchurch.
The results showing high methamphetamine use in Whangarei came as no surprise to Northland's leading officer Superintendent Russell Le Prou. Photo/John Stone
Results from earlier this month of seven samples taken over consecutive days at the Whangarei Wastewater Treatment Plant showed the weekly drug use per 1000 people in Whangarei was 7665g compared to 2824g in Auckland and 1952g in Christchurch.
Cocaine use was more prevalent in Auckland with 396g a week being consumed per 1000 people, 109g in Christchurch and 39g in Whangarei.
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, was found in the biggest quantities in Christchurch 1651g, Auckland 1105g and Whangarei 104g. Heroin was tested for but not found in any of the water from the cities.
Mr Le Prou said while there was a long way to go and it "was the start of a journey", it was a good foundation with good community connections that were being turned into actions.
The water testing is part of a Te Ara Oranga two-year pilot programme between police and the Northland District Health Board aimed at reducing methamphetamine demand by enhancing services for treatment. The $3 million pilot was launched in September.
As part of the pilot an eight-strong police squad — the Meth Reduction Team — had been formed and were already having an impact. Since starting there had been 10 referrals from police to health services for moderate to heavy methamphetamine users.
The team had executed three search warrants and made three arrests.
A 36-year-old man faces four charges of importing methamphetamine and possession of meth for supply.
He had tried and failed with treatment in the past but since his arrest the meth harm reduction team had worked with various agencies and the man had agreed to being bailed to a rehabilitation programme where he had started treatment.
"His referral for treatment has prevented further re-victimisation with his family and with the wider community. Drug and alcohol support has been offered to the family including his parents, ex-partner and their children," Mr Le Prou said.
In another case a 30-year-old man was remanded in custody for possession of meth for supply and offering to supply meth. He had accepted referral for treatment.
"But importantly, users he was selling to have been identified and have been visited by members of the team and three users have signed up for treatment programmes," Mr le Prou said.
Jewel Reti, project manager for Te Ara Oranga, said the impact of meth on wider whanau should no be under estimated and under this pilot it was an opportunity for family members and those using meth to engage in treatment.
A week-long screening and referral for treatment trial - Rataora - at the Whangarei Hospital emergency department and at the Whangarei police cells lead to 70 people being referred to specialist services. Four meth users were identified and it was estimated about 200 meth users would be identified if a year-long survey was done.
