No longer just a city problem as police and drug testing agencies flag increase.
Methamphetamine use is rapidly expanding in rural communities, creating safety issues for employers and destroying families.
Glenn Dobson, chief executive of The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), calls it a methamphetamine crisis.
Dispelling the myth that use of the addictive substance is a city issue, he said new data reveals that its use is also engulfing rural communities.
Drug testing data between January 1 and March 31 this year by TDDA shows methamphetamine use is the drug of choice of between 20% and 30.6% of drug users throughout most of rural NZ.
The rate of meth detected in samples increased during the sampling period from 13.7% in January to 18.2% in February and 24.9% March.
“The surge is consistent with rising wastewater statistics and confirms that meth remains readily available nationwide.
“When access to supply is this easy, increased consumption often follows. This has serious implications for workplace safety and productivity,” he said.
The highest rates of meth use among drug users is in the central North Island at 30.6%, followed by Taranaki at 27.9%, Auckland East 25.8%, Taupō-Rotorua 25%, North Harbour 23.6%, Auckland West 23.2%, Northland 21.7%, Canterbury 20%, Southland 13.7% and Otago 10.5%.
Dobson said the data shows meth use creates workplace safety issues and causes disruption to communities and families.
“Employers must stay alert, have clear workplace substance policies, and be ready to act on suspicions compliantly and quickly,” Dobson said.
A Drugs in Wastewater Testing Programme study covering 76% of the population, calculated that, nationally, 1434kg of the drug was consumed in 2024, double that of 2023.
This equates to 32.4kg of meth consumed every week.
The study showed the areas with the highest use per capita were largely regional North Island towns and rural areas with high rates of social deprivation.
The study attributed the doubling in use to increased supply and lower prices.
The 1434kg had an estimated value of $538 million, equated to 77 million doses and caused $1.5 billion in social harm
Police National Intelligence director Dan Wildy said the increasing use of meth nationally is a concern.
“All policing districts recorded above-average methamphetamine use when compared to the previous four quarters.”
Reasons for the increased use are varied but include increased availability, evident by the growing border seizures. New Zealand users pay higher prices than other countries.
“Organised crime groups tend to target vulnerable communities who are often struggling.
“If you look at areas like Northland, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki, there are similar communities with similar issues.”
Dobson said meth causes dizziness, impaired coordination, aggressive behaviour and poor judgement. It leaves the user with a hangover.
“After meth wears off, users experience a severe ‘crash’ caused by extreme fatigue and sleep deprivation. This includes incidents of falling asleep at the wheel.”
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