'POOR MAN'S COCAINE' BECOMING DRUG OF CHOICE

Methamphetamine, or poor man's cocaine, is now more popular than cannabis
and the drug of choice in New Zealand, say police.

More than 20 people were arrested yesterday following a two-month covert
police operation that targeted 24 addresses in Northland, Auckland and
Coromandel.

Detective Inspector Viv Rickard said the Northland police's Operation Pope
was the largest covert drugs and organised crime operation in the region
since November 1999.

About 280g of methamphetamine, with a conservative street value of about
$100,000, was seized in the raids.

Police also found glassware and chemicals that may have been used to make
the drug, and hashish, a concentrated form of cannabis.

Mr Rickard said that while a significant amount of cannabis was still being
produced in New Zealand, levels were dropping as cannabis growers turned to
more profitable drugs.

"The gangs and criminal fraternity are seeing methamphetamine as a quick
way to make money," he said.

"They can get a yield within 24 hours, whereas it can take between 12 to 16
weeks for cannabis to grow.

"Methamphetamine has taken over throughout New Zealand, particularly in
Auckland. It is now the drug of choice."

He said police were concerned by how rapidly "meth" was creeping into bar
and nightclub scenes.

The most popular way of using meth, also known as goey or speed, was by
snorting or smoking, although it could also be taken intravenously.

Mr Rickard said one gram of methamphetamine could sell for between $180 and
$300, cheaper than cocaine, but more expensive than cannabis.

Because police had such a small window of opportunity to catch
methamphetamine producers, traditional policing methods had not always been
successful and more covert operations were needed.

The chief of the National Drug Intelligence Bureau, Detective Sergeant Tony
Quayle, has indicated that he hopes methamphetamine will become the key
target for drug police across the country.

The street price of methamphetamine has halved in the past two years and
seizures have soared.

More than 15kg was seized last year compared with just 1.1kg in 1999.

Five labs were uncovered by police in 1999 and nine last year.

Cleaning up and decontaminating lab sites can cost authorities up to $10,000.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said yesterday that "the huge
increase in the availability and use of methamphetamine" was an area that
had not received enough attention.

"The Police Association will be encouraging the minister to provide the
resources to allow police to focus on all areas of crime, especially gangs,
the main suppliers of methamphetamine," he said.

The drug affected the central nervous system, giving users a sense of
euphoria, increased physical stamina and suppressing their appetite.

It could also cause memory loss, aggression, violence, psychotic behaviour
and potential neurological and cardiac damage.

Mr O'Connor said the drug was particularly dangerous, because users became
addicted quickly, and while the highs they felt were enjoyable, the lows
were very bad.