It's much easier to get P than cannabis in NZ - study

Police have launched an organised crime taskforce in Tauranga, as data shows that it's now easier to get meth than cannabis everywhere in New Zealand. 

More than 6000 drug users were surveyed by Massey University, and the results are frightening.

"Which is easier to get hold of, cannabis or methamphetamine"?

A shocking 54 percent of meth users said the highly addictive drug was "very easy" to get, compared to just 14 percent of cannabis users saying the same.

In Northland, 65 percent could get meth very easily compared with only 15 percent for cannabis. In Auckland, it was 51 percent to one percent. Wellington and Otago were the only regions where it dipped below 50 percent.

In contrast, the percentages of cannabis users who found it very easy doesn't exceed 20 percent anywhere in New Zealand.

In terms of how easy the drug is to obtain, 31 percent of P users said they could get it in 20 minutes or less. Less than half that said they could get cannabis that quickly.

On Tuesday, police launched their taskforce in Tauranga, which has seen an influx of Australian biker gangs in recent years - meaning more meth on the streets.

"We're in the middle of a battle with organised crime," says Police commissioner Mike Bush.

The latest gangs to arrive are the Bandidos and Comancheros - both notorious across the ditch for their ruthless violence. 

The influx began when Australia started deporting Kiwi convicted criminals and those who failed the good character test in 2015. 

"The impact of some returning offenders does impact upon us," says commissioner Bush.

View the story here http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/03/it-s-much-easier-to-get-p-than-cannabis-in-nz-study.html