The Government has agreed to a comprehensive action plan to combat methamphetamine harm in New Zealand, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced today.
“Meth is a scourge on our society. Consumption doubled last year and ultimately, increased meth use fuels organised crime, and destroys lives. This Government’s primary justice target is to reduce the number of victims of crime,” said Minister Goldsmith.
“The Prime Minister tasked the Ministerial team to find effective ways to address this growing issue. Today we’re delivering. I’d like to thank my colleagues Minister Mitchell, Minister Doocey, Minister Costello, Minister McKee and Minister Chhour for all their hard work.”
The Government has agreed to a suite of actions it can promptly take, and has directed officials to begin working on them immediately, he said.
These include:
- A hard-hitting nationwide media campaign over four years, to deliver a consistent message and raise public awareness about meth-related harm, funded out of the proceeds of crime fund.
- Allocating $30 million over four years to increase the services available to communities hardest hit by meth, within the Vote Health mental health and addiction budget.
- Directing Customs, the Defence Force and GCSB to undertake a series of maritime operations to disrupt organised crime networks operating across the Pacific Ocean.
- Increasing Police enforcement abilities, including being able to intercept communications and search evidence stored electronically.
- Enabling police to reclaim ill-gotten gains from organised crime groups as quickly and effectively as possible.
- Consult the maritime sector on a suite of proposals to strengthen border security and shut down opportunities for organised criminals to operate through our ports, such as strengthening background checks.
The Government has also agreed to an additional $23.1 million of funding to:
- Establish new offshore liaison positions and increase collaboration with international partners focused on disrupting and preventing drug exports to New Zealand and the Pacific at their source.
- Establish an additional money laundering team to increase Police’s ability to disrupt organised crime groups.
- Fundingthe Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities work programme until December next year, which combats the harms of meth and organised crime through community-led responses to the harms and drivers of organised crime.
“Significant action is already underway, including investment in Customs, reviewing maritime security powers, police recruitment, establishing the Ministerial Advisory Group on Organised Crime, and Border Security Bill amendments,” said Mr Goldsmith.
“However, there is more we can do to disrupt international supply, sharpen enforcement and reduce demand.”
Associate Justice Minister, Nicole McKee said the Government will use money seized from criminals to fund the nationwide campaign against methamphetamine use.
“Meth tears families apart, fuels violence, and wrecks communities. This campaign will send a clear message: meth destroys lives, it’s not worth it, and there is help available to get off it and rebuild,” Mrs McKee says.
“$5.9 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, money taken from criminals, will fund this four-year campaign led by Health New Zealand.
“This new campaign against meth is part of a wider push to hit organised crime from every angle – cutting off their profits, reducing meth use, ultimately making people feel safer in their communities, businesses and homes.
“We’re also taking the next step by tightening the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act, making it easier to hit gangs where it hurts most: their wallets. If they’ve built their empire on misery, we’re coming for it,” she said.
For more details on the plan actions and responsible departments: Explainer sheet.pdf.
