SCHOOL LABS RAIDED FOR P INGREDIENTS

Are thieves targeting our school science laboratories in a search for drugs
to make methamphetamine? Affected schools seem to think so while police say
there is no proven link.

Western Leader inquiries reveal at least three schools have been hit.

Spokespeople for two of the schools claim police officers attending recent
breakins suggested a link to the drug world.

But police approached by the Western Leader for comment say burglary
figures for the last year show no trend of schools being targeted for drugs.

"There are two points that need to be made here," communications manager
Jayson Rhodes says. "The other is that there is no proof that substances
being stolen are being used for the manufacture of drugs."

The latest burglary saw windows and walls smashed last weekend at Kelston
Girls High School.

"The police have told us that such criminal activity is prompted by thieves
looking for chemicals to make illegal drugs. We do not keep such chemicals
on our premises," a newsletter to parents says.

"Needless to say we are incensed by such wanton destruction.

"Money that should be used for learning resources for our students must now
go towards repairing the damage."

Science laboratories at Rutherford College were broken into twice last
year, principal Cliff Edmeades says.

Police identified the stolen chemicals as possible drug-making ingredients,
Mr Edmeades says.

Thieves took small quantities of chemicals which are expensive to replace,
he says.

"We've had to beef up our security to try and combat it."

The school is now equipped with video surveillance, has bars on some
windows and steel doors.

Waitakere College principal Peter Garelja says his school was also burgled
last year by thieves hunting for chemicals.

"It was quite clear that was the intent and purpose of it," Mr Garelja says.

"Like all schools we just keep vigilant."

about security for its science laboratory in the past, Mr Garelja says.

"But we certainly would now.".

The problem also affects pharmacies across the region where many have
stopped selling pseudoephedrine-based products to keep thieves away.

Waitemata District Health Board member and former Massey pharmacist Warren
Flaunty says the thefts are still occurring "at a phenomenal rate".

The health board has asked the Government to reschedule products containing
pseudoephedrine as prescription-only medicines, rather than those sold
across the counter, Mr Flaunty says.

The move would mean the drug would be kept in lesser quantities and stored
in less obvious places, he says.

Regulations which see pharmacists recording identification details of
customers wanting to buy the products are not working, he says.

"Pharmacists have more to do with their time than take down people's
licence numbers and act as policemen. That - and the abuse you get ... it's
just not worth it," he says.

Police were unavailable for comment.