The epidemic we face

The drug first came into this country by way of American motorcycle gang associates. It’s been 13 years since police first stumbled across one of its labs. It has gone from a stimulant used by night clubbers to take their experience to a new level, to causing an epidemic that’s threatening teenagers and their families across the country: Methamphetamine (P).

The allure is the instant high it gives, the euphoric and often instant sense of escape users feel as they inhale the smoke of a lethal substance. A substance first used by Japanese kamikaze pilots before suicide missions during World War II. However, it is not just the direct effect the drug is having on teenage users causing concern. There is also concern over the indirect affect it is having on them through their parent’s association to the substance. Whether they are manufacturers, dealers, or users, the impression left on their children is a life long one. Many are unaware of the damage it is causing, the damage they are inflicting upon themselves, until one day they are hit with a sudden and often brutal realization.

It is no longer seen as a “drug just used by criminals and gang members,” as the Methcon Group Limited website describes, but a drug that can be “found in large cities, small towns, rural communities, schools and businesses.” It is being used by people in all walks of life including those “such as high earning professionals, sportsmen and woman, celebrities and children and ordinary New Zealanders.”

The New Zealand Herald over the past few weeks has been looking at the effect this drug is having on our nation. Stories have been submitted by those who have experienced the effects first hand. One story was that of a young girl whose first run in with the drug was at the age of 14. Kristy Pearson first tried it at a friend’s party. She described its effect as making her feel “on top of the world”. “Home life wasn't great at all and school wasn't going too well and this made me feel amazing,” she said. A few months after her first experience with it she was being used by gangs to deliver getting paid each day with enough to feed her own addiction. Her realization came when she saw a friend, also addicted, ripping holes out of his arm with his teeth. Eventually she managed to get free from its hold, and is now working towards a better future. Kristy’s story is not an unusual one, there are many more around, we just haven’t heard them.

If you would like to read more stories from the Herald on this subject follow the link below,
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/p-epidemic/news/headlines.cfm?c_id=605

Other Links
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Kristy's story - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/p-epidemic/news/article.cfm?c_id=605&objectid=10573542

MethCon Group Limited - http://www.methcon.co.nz/

Background information - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pharmaceuticals/news/article.cfm?c_id=278&objectid=10572572&pnum=5

Is it really the best thing to be known for?

New Zealand is a country full of sheep, and I’m not just talking about the four legged ones covered in wool. We have this tendency to follow. Trends, usually ones that someone else has already started, suggestions made by those considered to have influence, not all of them providing any benefit our society. Just look at the 6pm news and you will know what I mean. Stories involving alcohol, violence, crime, gangs and drug use dominate the first few pages in the papers, and sadly teenagers with their involvement are taking up a good portion of it. Why is this? Why over the past few years have we been subject to an influx of teenage drug associated crime?

The methamphetamine epidemic facing the country may have something to do with it. New Zealanders, according to the 16 May, 2009 New Zealand Herald article titled “Waging war on P”, are the number one P users per head in the developed world, ahead of both the United States and Australia. A shocking statistic made worse when you consider the other things associated to it. As one of the Kiwi Party press releases state “…drug abuse has a direct link to much of our crime rates such as burglary, child abuse and the increasing violent crimes that are shocking us all as a nation.” [Link]

The class A drug, also known as P, Crack, Meth, Smack, Ice, Glass, Pure, Base, Rock and Shabu, has become highly accessible. And mixed with a binge culture, like the one taking hold of New Zealand, of teenagers who rate parties by how much a person gets trashed, extremely dangerous. The drug is a stimulant. Some may take it to stay awake in order to work extra shifts while others may take it because of perceived heightened physical and mental performances. Whatever their reason, use of the drug, according to the Fight Against P website, can cause “dependence and addiction psychosis, stroke, dangerously high body temperature, and cardiac arrhythmia. Withdrawal often results in severe depression and paranoia.”

According to the Herald, research showed that regular users under the age of 25 lose control while under the influence 31 per cent said they had a car crash, 60 per cent had unprotected sex and 57 per cent had passed out.

We are in a country with a serious problem. Held captive by a drug threatening tomorrow’s generation. Is this the face of New Zealand’s future? Let’s hope not. Some trends are not meant to be followed.

Links
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Fight Against P website - http://fightagainstp.com/main/what_is_meth.php

Herald coverage, an overview of the current situation - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/pharmaceuticals/news/article.cfm?c_id=278&objectid=10572572

Investigative article written by John McCrone - http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/361253

Kiwi Party press release - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0905/S00231.htm

Finally!

A decision has been reached, and the topic for the two blog posts will be Teenage drug use in New Zealand. More specifically, Teenage P use in New Zealand. I've been reading up about it and whats come up is extremely concerning. This drug doesn't just effect the person taking it. It has, or could have, serious implications for all those around them as well. It has attributed to some of the biggest crime cases the country has seen in the past couple of years, broken the lives of many people, and destroyed families. The use by young people is increasing, and with that the rate of offences. Websites such as Fight against P and FADE have been set up to provide information on how to spot the signs that someone may be using, and what to do if they are. It is a concern. It needs to be addressed. This should be interesting!

still going!

Alright, so apparently the type of blog I was thinking about is not the type of blog we are supposed to be writing as part of our assessment for class - perhaps that is a good thing. Apparently, it's supposed to be like an editorial rather than a personal opinion. Something with evidence of research.

As it's probably easy to see I still haven't figured out what I'm going to base these blogs on. There's so much to choose from! Might have to hit "I'm feeling lucky" button on the google search engine and see what comes back - could be interesting.

Speaking of interesting, - and changing the focus of this blog entry completely - on Monday I was in Wellington for a planning day meeting of the Commission on Communications. It was the second time I've managed to make it to one of its meetings since being elected on in May last year. - The first time that the two "newly elected" Maori delegates have managed to show up as well. - It became, by the end an interesting meeting that one. We got through a lot of discussions, managed to agree on a way forward, and even started looking at goals for the future. Overall, it was a success. However, like most other things, just how successful is something that can only become apparent with time. Lets hope in five years this thing is where we want it to be - and not just a case of where we've let it get to.

It has begun

Apparently, now that I have a blog up and running, I'm supposed to be using it to post about stuff relevant to a topic with the inclusion of at least two hyperlinks. Which is something I would do, if I knew what topic I was blogging about. Something to do with the media - Definitely...but what?

And so it begins...

I could go for Politics - National finally living up to New Zealands expectations by turnning Auckland into a Super City? Possibly, although people get enough of politics as it is in their normal everyday life. (I know I do.)

New Zealand Police - A waste of recources? Harsh call, but something worth thinking about.

or,

New Zealand Police - They'll get the job done, one way or another... At least with that angle it doesn't appear as though I'm just being extremely critical (bordering on cynical) of our national police force.

How about the justice system? - David Bain enters what? Week seven or eight of his retrial after how many years?? That could be interesting. It could also lead to long winded-ness and honestly does the world really need any more of that? I think not!

Maybe the health system - Swine flu anyone?

Wait, Ive got it, why not just base it on New Zealand Government? Then that would encapsulate everything mentioned above wouldn't it? Somewhat tragic though, having to resort back to something everyone can pull to shredds.

Well that brought up a whole lot of nothing. I shall endevour to keep this updated (would be a bit of a shame to think'd I set this up with no intention of upkeep or maintainence). As I am sure something will come up eventually - it's going to have to, the assessments due in a couple of weeks! - but until it does, this shall be my thinking space. Time to stop being lazy (as it is so easy to do) and start asking questions. Time to be, as Gail would say, a "(active) contributer". <- Look that only took a year and a half to sink in!