Pubdate: Tue, 30 Dec 2003
Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2003 The Dominion Post
Contact:  http://www.dompost.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550
Author: Haydon Dewes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ANDERTON SCOTCHES P WARNING CLAIMS

The Government has dismissed claims that it ignored an urgent letter sent 
in May by a Youth Court judge warning of a link between teen prostitutes 
and the drug P.

Judge John Walker, of Wellington, wrote to Associate Health Minister Jim 
Anderton and Justice Minister Phil Goff on May 9 warning youths were 
becoming hooked on pure methamphetamine by being given free samples by 
gangs, and teenage girls were being forced into prostitution.

"One of the (Youth) Drug Court participants reported being given 'ice', the 
crystallised and purest form of methamphetamine, and using it. She was 
fully conversant with the particular manner in which the drug was used," he 
wrote.

He said "young girls of Youth Court age are being engaged in prostitution 
in Christchurch and there seemed to be some connection between that 
activity and the supply of methamphetamine to them."

He expressed fears that a situation similar to Australia a few years ago 
had begun. There, "starter kits" of heroin had been sold for $20. A wave of 
burglary and violent offending would surely follow.

The judge said he wanted to share the information he had gathered in the 
hope that the urgency of the situation would be fully appreciated.

Mr Anderton, chairmanof the ministerial committee on drug policy, wrote 
back six days later saying the Government appreciated the urgency of the 
situation.

The contents of the judge's letter had been passed to his staff "for their 
information".

An offer from Judge Walker to meet government officials about his concerns 
was not taken up.

National MP Tony Ryall, who got the letters through the Official 
Information Act, said the letter was nothing but a "fob-off".

"All Judge Walker got in response to his concerns was a letter from a tired 
Jim Anderton saying he had referred the judge's letter to his staff. No 
wonder New Zealand is losing the war on this drug," he said.

The Government had to get tougher on drug-pushing gangs by seizing their 
money and assets, to stand any chance of stopping them forcing P on to 
young people, Mr Ryall said.

Yesterday, Mr Anderton defended his reply to Judge Walker, saying he had 
frequent contact with him and always listened to issues he raised.

The letter's observations were considered as part of the Government's 
methamphetamine action plan, which included reclassifying the drug to class 
A and giving police and Customs wider powers. "There are lots of things the 
Government can be criticised on but taking action against drugs is not one 
of them," he said.

He dismissed claims of tardy Government action, saying resources could not 
be put into fighting a drug till it had been proved harmful. Links between 
prostitution and drugs were "nothing new". "Girls have been engaged in 
prostitution because of drugs and alcohol for quite a long time. There is 
nothing new about that but the drug P is relatively new," he said.

Judge Walker could not be contacted.
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