METH CALLS SKYROCKET

The number of methamphetamine-related calls to a national helpline is up by
more than 1000 per cent.

Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey revealed the figure during the launch of
the Community Action on Youth and Drugs project, a Ministry of Health
initiative to raise awareness of the various problems facing youths.

"When we look for causes we see middle class families in which both parents
work and rarely spend time with their children. We have homes in which drug
or alcohol abuse is as normal as watching television," Mr Harvey says.

The Alcohol and Drug Association confirms the number of Aucklanders phoning
its helpline following problems with methamphetamine has increased from 50
in 2002 to 522 in 2003 - a jump of more than 1000 per cent in just one year.

National figures show there were 146 similar calls in 2002, compared with
1245 in 2003.

says the jump in numbers reflects the drug's rapid spread.

"It's the latest and most recent drug to hit the streets and it's become
popular and attractive," Ms Kearney says.

Most callers are concerned family and friends, she says.

Mr Harvey says the Community Action on Youth and Drugs project will try to
address the problem in west Auckland by pooling the resources of various
social agencies and educating the greater public.

"Despite all the sensational media headlines, we have a community
remarkably uninformed about the effect of drugs, what they do to brain and
body, how to recognise their impact on loved ones and what action to take
when you do," Mr Harvey says.

"It is time, I believe, to lift our game. To plan together. To coordinate
our efforts.

The scheme will also look at binge drinking, smoking, unsafe sex and
dangerous driving, he says.