Nationwide meth use dropped by almost a third during and after lockdown
Thursday, 24 September 2020
Methamphetamine consumption was “significantly lower” around the country during and after Covid-19 lockdown.
Police data revealed a 31 per cent drop in consumption levels for May, June and July, with an average of 10.1 kilograms of the drug consumed each week.
National Drug Investigation Bureau manager Detective Inspector Blair Macdonald said April’s results were not taken into consideration as only three of the 45 testing sites were operational.
The consumption was “significantly lower” than the 12 months prior to alert level 4 restrictions, from April 2019 to March 2020, where an average of 14.6 kg of meth was consumed weekly.
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A disruption to international meth supply chains made it harder for the finished drug to get into New Zealand, he said.
A June update to a Drug Information and Alert NZ report to NDIB found it was “almost certain” availability of the drug decreased significantly during and after lockdown, as well as its purity.
However, just how bad that shortage was is unclear, something higher level New Zealand-based meth importers and suppliers may have used to their advantage, in order to capitalise financially.
The report found wholesale-level dealers referred to ‘‘Covid pricing’’ when justifying price increases.
The NDIB received numerous reports of methamphetamine selling for more than $1000 a gram and $10,000 per ounce, double the average pre-Covid price.
The further away from Auckland the sale occurred, the more expensive prices became, Macdonald said.
”This was most pronounced in the South Island and these price increases are likely to be a result of the international wholesale level supply shortages and organised crime groups taking advantage of this.”
Additionally, an “artificial narrative of market scarcity” may have been promoted by “stories of price increases and availability”, the report found.
“This could influence higher level NZ-based meth importers and distributors to capitalise financially off a perceived domestic shortage and contribute to increased meth prices over the longer term.” t
Macdonald said even after alert levels 3 and 4 were lifted prices continued to be inflated, but then “quickly settled.”
“The typical price of a gram of methamphetamine is costing $500 in the Tāmaki Makaurau and Wellington areas and $800 in Christchurch.
Last year, the price of methamphetamine was at an all-time low. In Christchurch, a gram of the drug cost about $400, while in Auckland it was as little as $250.
During lockdown, police seizures of meth in May were 26 per cent higher by volume i than May 2019.
The National Clandestine Laboratory response team’s scene attendance almost doubled when compared to the same time last year.
There was an “unprecedented reduction” in Customs seizures in April and May, including a -65 per cent reduction in meth, -98 per cent in cocaine and -58 per cent in MDMA.
Alcohol and Drug treatment providers reported some people were seeking support because they couldn’t financially maintain their level of use due to increased prices.
New Zealand Drug Foundation chief executive Ross Bell said there was a big push to move addiction support services online during lockdown.
“A lot of people were seeking information online rather than necessarily going to the helpline. So we started providing a lot more information that was quite popular around managing withdrawal, for example.”
The June report found it is likely demand for treatment will increase over the medium to long term.