Pubdate: Mon, 12 Apr 2004
Source: Western Leader (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2004, Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,0a1500,FF.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2237
Author: Melanie Glover
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH CALLS SKYROCKET

The number of methamphetamine-related calls to a national helpline is up by 
more than 1000 per cent.

Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey revealed the figure during the launch of 
the Community Action on Youth and Drugs project, a Ministry of Health 
initiative to raise awareness of the various problems facing youths.

"When we look for causes we see middle class families in which both parents 
work and rarely spend time with their children. We have homes in which drug 
or alcohol abuse is as normal as watching television," Mr Harvey says.

The Alcohol and Drug Association confirms the number of Aucklanders phoning 
its helpline following problems with methamphetamine has increased from 50 
in 2002 to 522 in 2003 - a jump of more than 1000 per cent in just one year.

National figures show there were 146 similar calls in 2002, compared with 
1245 in 2003.

says the jump in numbers reflects the drug's rapid spread.

"It's the latest and most recent drug to hit the streets and it's become 
popular and attractive," Ms Kearney says.

Most callers are concerned family and friends, she says.

Mr Harvey says the Community Action on Youth and Drugs project will try to 
address the problem in west Auckland by pooling the resources of various 
social agencies and educating the greater public.

"Despite all the sensational media headlines, we have a community 
remarkably uninformed about the effect of drugs, what they do to brain and 
body, how to recognise their impact on loved ones and what action to take 
when you do," Mr Harvey says.

"It is time, I believe, to lift our game. To plan together. To coordinate 
our efforts.

The scheme will also look at binge drinking, smoking, unsafe sex and 
dangerous driving, he says.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager