Police say they will take full advantage of enforcement and legislative powers arising from the Government's tougher stance against methamphetamine.
Assistant Commissioner Viv Rickard says New Zealand has one of the highest addiction rates in the world to methamphetamine.
"A whole of government approach means that as a nation we can be more effective in the battle against methamphetamine and the organised criminals that manufacture and supply it."
Police have developed a Methamphetamine Control Strategy designed to disrupt the supply of methamphetamine, reduce methamphetamine related crime and ensure that profits and assets made
through dealing methamphetamine can be more readily recovered.
"The control strategy is a whole of police response to the problem of methamphetamine".
"This means that all police staff whether they be community police, youth aid, Criminal Investigation Bureau, traffic or specialist squads will contribute to targeting methamphetamine cooks, dealers and users," Mr Rickard said.
"Police support the control of pseudoephedrine as it would allow us to concentrate resources and work with Customs on preventing the importation of precursors from overseas."
"Precursor control is a vital part of disrupting the supply of methamphetamine, but no one action on its own will solve the methamphetamine problem."
"Stronger legislation around gangs, the ability to seize assets and profits of organised criminals and enhanced treatment programmes will all contribute reducing the supply of methamphetamine and making our communities safer."
ENDS
Contact: 04 474 9442