Science Media Centre

Methamphetamine is the most commonly detected illegal drug in Auckland, according to a study that examined drugs flushed into the wastewater. Massey University-led research surveyed two wastewater treatment plants between May and June 2014 and found high levels of methamphetamine, codeine, morphine and methadone in both facilities. MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine were relatively rare and were […]

An annual survey of frequent drug users has revealed that the internet is becoming an increasingly common tool for sourcing drugs. The latest results from the Massey University Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS) study show 72 per cent of frequent drug users report increased buying and selling of drugs via social media and encrypted websites. […]

Costly clean-ups for ‘P’-contaminated homes have been grabbing headlines, but what are the real risks facing a family moving in? Media have reported on figures released that  show the number of state houses testing positive for methamphetamine contamination (from use or manufacturing) is increasing. There have also been a number of media reports of other homes […]

A survey of frequent illicit drug users has identified price shifts in the black market and highlighted a disturbing attitude towards drugged-driving among users. The Illicit Drug Monitoring Survey (IDMS) was started in 2005 and annually surveys a group of heavy drug users on their use of drugs as well their perceptions of the cost, […]

Scientists at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research have been testing hair samples taken from children found in illegal drug laboratories and found 89 per cent of the samples tested positive for methamphetamine. The levels found in the children’s hair are very similar to the levels found in adult methamphetamine users. The age range […]

A feature in the Weekend Herald by senior features writer Chris Barton on the Government’s move to limit availability of cold and flu drugs containing pseudoephedrine. An excerpt: (read in full here) The B2 chill “When Government makes pseudoephedrine a Class B2 controlled drug, you may still be able to get the re-classified cold medications, […]

Following the announcement last week of the Prime Minister’s action plan on methamphetamine, some confusion has arisen over how tightly pseudoephedrine (a key precursor) will be controlled if it becomes a Class B2 drug. Many media reports stated that under the new rules, pseudoephedrine will become “prescription-only”, without reference to any possible further restrictions on […]

Prime Minister John Key announced a new Government action plan on methamphetamine today, which includes plans to reclassify pseudoephedrine (a key precursor for meth synthesis) as a Class B2 prescription-only drug. This means pseudoephedrine will no longer be available in cold and flu ‘remedies’ over-the-counter in New Zealand, prescribers may be limited by strict eligibility […]

The Government has followed up the recommendation of the Chief Science Advisor Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, signaling that it will move to make pseudoephedrine a Class B2 controlled drug, making it prescription-only and available only from hospital pharmacies. The ability of doctors to prescribe pseudoephedrine is also likely to be restricted. That means over the […]

The Chief Science Advisor, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, has been tasked with finding ways to fight New Zealand’s worsening methamphetamine problem, and his suggestions are expected to be made public this month. Also known as ‘P’, the drug is popular amongst a wide range of people and, in addition to being initially beguiling and highly […]