PHARMACIES BEING TARGETED BY P USERS

Police say methamphetamine drug users are resorting to burglary to get
ingredients to make the drug.

Another Napier pharmacy was hit yesterday, the second in the past two days.

Pseudoephedrine-based products used to make the pure methamphetamine drug,
known as P, and cosmetics were stolen in the 4am raid on Unichem Pharmacy,
Marewa.

The offenders smashed a rear door to gain entry. The burglary was the
second after Andrew Spence Pharmacy, Onekawa, was ram-raided early on
Saturday when thieves stole 12 cartons of cough mixture.

Detective Sergeant Dan Foley, of the Napier CIB, said the burglaries both
involved people looking for pseudoephedrine-based products and were
possibly linked.

"There are groups in society constantly trying to purchase
pseudoephedrine-based products, and because of their addictions, if they
can't get them they are resorting to these desperate burglary tactics," Mr
Foley said.

Most pharmacies in Napier and Hastings had introduced measures such as
asking for identification in the fight against P abuse.

Mr Foley urged pharmacies to continue to be vigilant and also to consider
locking away pseudoephedrine-based products as a deterrent against possible
burglaries.

"We are hearing more and more people are becoming addicted to this
physically and psychologically drug."

Police want to hear from anyone offered cheap Revlon cosmetics or with
information about the raid. The confidential crime line number is 0800 567 789.