Illicit Drugs Strategy to 2010
Date Published:
February 2009
The Police Illicit Drug strategy focuses on methamphetamine and cannabis as these are the two illicit drug types that cause the greatest amount of harm. Methamphetamine has a concentrated level of harm to the user and to those around them, with frequent users being more likely to pay for their drug use with criminal activity and more likely to access health services related to their drug use. The prevalence of cannabis combined with the young age of first use contributes to the level of harm it has upon New Zealand communities.
The strategy facilitates a co-ordinated national focus on illicit drug harm, both internally for Police and with our external partners. Internally, a greater degree of co-ordination between the Police National Intelligence Centre and the Criminal Investigation Branch will be achieved. Externally, working with key community stakeholders, other government agencies and non-government organisations will assist those at risk to receive appropriate treatment.