Tuesday, 17 December 2002 - 1:56pm |
National News

Police highly supportive of Methamphetamine reclassification

1 min read

The reclassification of Methamphetamine by Cabinet from class B to class A today is a positive move welcomed by Police.

&#34It broadens our ability to combat the problem and the harsher penalties for manufacturing and possession reflect the seriousness of the drug,&#34 said Detective Inspector Gary Knowles of the National Drug Intelligence Bureau.

&#34This classification gives us wider enforcement powers, including the ability to search premises and people without a warrant if they have reasonable grounds to believe an offence has been committed under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975,&#34 said Detective Inspector Gary Knowles.

&#34Police have developed a number of proactive strategies to assist in combating the increase in the manufacture of methamphetamine, these include a code of practice with pharmaceutical suppliers, a dedicated clandestine laboratory investigation team and a safety training video and package for frontline staff.
Current global trends show the use and manufacture of methamphetamine will continue to rise and therefore this reclassification will go a long way to help us curb these trends in New Zealand,&#34 he said.