Robson Matt: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Robson Matt: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:608;Page:5820] 
4.  
Hon MATT ROBSON (Deputy Leader—Progressive) 
 to the  
Associate Minister of Health 
: What is the Government doing to address the increase in the supply and use of methamphetamines? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Associate Minister of Health) 
: 
 This coalition Government is taking a series of significant and urgent actions. The reclassification of methamphetamine as a Class A drug is on track to be enforced by 30 May. The Ministerial Action Group on Alcohol and Drugs is to meet this week to approve an action plan that includes 19 actions and recommendations for combating methamphetamine abuse. The objectives are to reduce supply and demand and to limit the harm associated with this highly dangerous drug. The emphasis is on dealing with drug exploiters who are committing serious criminal offences by making and supplying the drug while also having compassion and treatment facilities for the victims. 
Hon Matt Robson 
: What moves has the Government already made to combat the problem of methamphetamines? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: We have already demonstrated our commitment to addressing methamphetamine use. We need to rehabilitate those who are on the drug and show no tolerance for those who are manufacturing or selling it. This year’s Budget contains $6.6 million over 4 years for an additional two police teams to combat this problem. Last year the police located and closed 140 laboratories and extra resources will make the police even more effective. The Budget also provided $2.55 million for a community action initiative in six rural areas and nine urban centres to reduce the incidence of drug misuse. These initiatives bring together local police and health and other agencies to share intelligence and combat drug misuse in these communities. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Given that the police themselves estimate that one gang dealing in methamphetamines has accumulated assets in excess of $10 million when will the Government demand that such criminals prove their assets were legally obtained and if they cannot that those assets be confiscated? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: The confiscation of assets brought about by criminal activity is an issue that the Government has before it for consideration and the ministerial committee is looking at it. This coalition which has a ministerial committee on drugs and alcohol that meets regularly has progressed this issue further and faster than any actions the National members opposite ever took ever considered or ever adopted when in Government. 
Dave Hereora 
: What is being done to combat the growing use of methamphetamine by Maori? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: Some Maori communities are being severely affected by the abuse of methamphetamine. The coalition Government is willing and able to work in partnership with Maori to combat this evil scourge. Some Maori elders are now talking about putting a rahui or ban on methamphetamine and I will give every support I can to their efforts. Tareha te Moananui the first Maori to speak in this Parliament in 1868 said that in all our efforts all we have to do is to focus on that which is good. He said that the power of good is greater than the power of evil and when an evil issue arises all we have to do is come together to face it and defeat it. Methamphetamine is an evil and the people who manufacture and supply it are in an evil business that has no place in New Zealand. 
Ron Mark 
: Could the Minister tell the House then if his Government is so serious about dealing with drug dealers and showing a no-tolerance approach to the methamphetamine problem firstly why has the Government refused to give any extra funding to allow schools to carry out drug testing for methamphetamine and secondly why has the Government allowed 198 drug dealers to be released into the community under the deferred sentencing provision and on home detention? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: The first information I received on schools wishing to drug test their pupils for methamphetamine was yesterday when I read a report from Kaitaia College. I immediately made a statement that I supported the efforts of the school but I also said that before such examinations or tests could be taken a proper process has to be gone through in order to protect the rights of children at school and their parents. That is what I support and I know that the Government in general supports that as well. 
Judy Turner 
: Will the reclassification of methamphetamine as a class A drug result in suppliers being put out of circulation for longer given the stronger penalties involved; or does he agree with the Green members who say that there is little real difference in the length of sentences handed down to people convicted of class A and class B drug offences? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: It is my view that the strong police action that has been taken to date the reinforcement of police resources to take even stronger action and the reclassification of methamphetamine as a class A drug which carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment should actually focus the mind of anyone who thinks he or she will profit from this evil trade.