16-YEAR-OLD WITH SPEED ALARMS COPS

Desperate drug dealers could be turning to young children in a bid to push
methamphetamine on to Tauranga streets.

Police officers arrested a 16-year-old in the city at the weekend and
discovered he was carrying a bag containing what is believed to be speed.

Acting Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders said police here were not aware of
someone that young being found in possession of speed before.

``This is the youngest person I am certainly aware of. The impact that drugs
have on young people is very well documented _ both long and short term.

``It makes you wonder how far these people selling drugs will go in selling
this stuff to make their dollars.''

Police were alerted after the youth was arrested after he was involved in a
scuffle in Tauranga city centre around 5am on Sunday.

He was taken into custody and officers discovered a small bag containing
white powder in his pocket. The substance has been sent to a laboratory for
analysis.

Police are asking parents to be vigilant and contact them if they believe
their children are dabbling with speed or other drugs.

``We are very concerned that people as young as 16 could be involved in
methamphetamine,'' added Sergeant Saunders.

``Parents can contact us in confidence. Youngsters are getting drugs from
suppliers and we need to find who these people are. There is only so much
the police can do. We need the help of the community to help with
information.

``There are thousands of people out there who could be our ears and eyes. We
have finite resources and we can't be everywhere.''

Last month police discovered two methamphetamine laboratories in Tauranga in
just four days. One was at a Mount Maunganui apartment, which was uncovered
when officers executing a search warrant stumbled across the operation.

They had been searching for stolen property and also recovered a missing
motor vehicle from the address.

A lab was also found at a Bethlehem address.

Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell said his school had a strong
anti-drug policy: ``The message is definitely that it's not cool to use
drugs. There are drugs in our region and that scares me.''

Mr Randell said a college newsletter to parents had spelled out the signs
they should look for if they suspected their children were drug users.

``I've bumped into parents and they've said and they found our advice very
useful.''

Andrew Tomlin, spokesman for Community Alcohol and Drugs Services, based at
Tauranga Hospital, said:

``There are concerns with drugs particular with young people. Children who
take this stuff (speed) are not only risking their lives but they will be
ruining their education and it will have a huge impact on their families.