7. Dr CAM CALDER (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
Has she received any reports from the police regarding methamphetamine?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Police) Link to this
Yes. I have received a report from the police that shows an arrested methamphetamine user earns, on average, $5,623 each month from crime.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
The police are actively seeking to reduce the supply of methamphetamine by targeting dealers and dismantling clan-labs. Police national clandestine laboratory response teams are based in Auckland and Wellington, and they support all police districts to tackle the problem of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Yes. I have received a report that shows that 13 clan-labs were dismantled in June 2009 alone. That was more than double the number dismantled during the same period in 2008.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
How does the Minister expect the cuts of $21 million and more than 300 cars from the police fleet to assist police in continuing to battle the methamphetamine problem?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
I am sure that the 600 extra police will do a fantastic job, which is what we always expect from our New Zealand police.
Hon Clayton Cosgrove Link to this
How does the Minister expect the raiding of other police districts to put police into the Counties-Manukau Police District will help the police in other districts to continue to battle the P problem?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Frankly, I do not know why the member insists on making such silly statements. There will be 600 extra police for the whole of New Zealand, and 300 of those police will go to Counties-Manukau. Nobody is being taken out of any other district to police Counties-Manukau. I think it is quite irresponsible of the member to make such silly statements in the House.
Hon Jim AndertonHas the Minister been advised by the police of the drug abuse that causes the most criminal behaviour in New Zealand; if so, can she confirm that that drug is alcohol, not methamphetamine?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Certainly, the police advise me that the vast majority of the criminal cases they have to deal with involve the misuse of alcohol. However, many people will be aware that, unfortunately, methamphetamine has taken hold in certain parts of New Zealand, and that gangs in particular have been able to become extremely rich off the proceeds.