MASSEY EXPERT URGES MORE P RESEARCH

A Massey University methamphetamine researcher says the threat posed by the
notorious drug P needs more research after New Zealand reached the podium
in a global survey of the drug's use.

The survey, the first of its type by the United Nations, said New Zealand
and Australia were second only to Thailand on methamphetamine abuse.

It was reported 3.7 percent of the population of both countries used the drug.

The figures prompted the Police Association to yesterday call on the
Government to urgently convene a commission of inquiry.

Association president Greg O'Connor said the P problem was increasing
markedly on a monthly basis.

"Every police officer, social worker and other professional dealing with
social problems is well aware of the extent of the problem."

But Massey University's Chris Wilkins said police were already stepping up
their approach to tackling P.

"I think the police have taken a lot of initiatives relating to
methamphetamine in recent months that are good initiatives."

Dr Wilkins and his team at Massey have produced New Zealand's two national
drugs surveys.

He cited the reclassification of methamphetamine as a class A drug, and the
setting up of a specialised clandestine lab-busting unit as examples.

"They've also invested in some research with the idea of developing a
measured approach that's based on solid information."

Workshops on the so-called P epidemic have been taking place on an almost
weekly basis in Palmerston North in recent months.

Schools, government officials and emergency services have been told about
the dangers of the drug and the volatile manufacturing laboratories.

The Terrace End Rotary Club are holding a public meeting next month to
discuss the abuse of the drug.

Pharmacies have long been targeted by P "shoppers" trying to buy the key
ingredient, pseudoephedrine, but some say the numbers seem to be on the
decline.

"I'm not saying it's not still a problem out there but the soft touch of
supply through retail sources has gone," Dannevirke pharmacist Tom Ward
said. He said pharmacies had wised up to people with gang connections
trying to buy common cold and flu treatments.

"If you asked me a year ago it was just a blimmin' nuisance.

"I think pharmacists have been fairly vigilant, the number of so-called
illicit shoppers out there seems to have been reduced."

Detective Dennis O'Rourke of the organised crime unit said there was not a
great deal of public awareness of P.

Mr O'Rourke, who trains emergency response teams of the dangers of
clandestine meth labs, said the level of violence associated with the drug
concerned police.

"Its abuse has spread remarkably quickly and if that's an epidemic, I
suppose it's an epidemic."

Detective Inspector Doug Brew said P was undoubtedly a serious problem, and
agreed more research was needed to establish its extent.

"P is a problem, we cannot deny that. We cannot ignore it but to a degree
(it) is a matter of speculation and the matter is too serious to speculate
without substantiated facts. There is considerable research that needs to
be done to identify what level of problem within society it is."

The Ecstasy and Amphetamines Global Survey 2003 was done by the
Vienna-based UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

New Zealand figures were based on 2001 figures, Dr Wilkins said.

Since then the number of methamphetamine lab busts has increased exponentially.

But Dr Wilkins said it was possible New Zealand's figures and world ranking
had been distorted in the report.

"New Zealand seems to be tacked on to Australia - but New Zealand data is
not referenced."

"I got the impression they might have just talked to someone in Australia
who said 'this is New Zealand's data'. . . so there may be some problems
there."

While Australia surveyed people over the age of 14, and the UN used data
for people up to 65, New Zealand's data was only taken from people aged 15
to 45.

"Interestingly enough, we are in the process of completing the 2003 survey,
so that will clearly give us an indication of where the numbers have gone."