Drug dealers and users will both be the focus of a pilot police and Ministry of Health programme to tackle methamphetamine in Northland after Prime Minister John Key announced new funding.
The $3 million programme is part of almost $15m pledged by Mr Key on Monday and is intended to stop supply and reduce demand for the drug.
"The impact of methamphetamine in our communities is large and we will do what (we) can to take out any supply network and reduce that impact," Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.
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Police will work with the Ministry of Health to identify users on the receiving end of the drug chain so they can be offered support.
Prime Minister John Key identified Northland as a gateway for P smugglers.
Labour MP for Te Tai Tokerau Kelvin Davis agrees, saying there are many places in Northland where P can be brought ashore, particularly on the east coast where there are many sheltered coves and bays, and easy access.
"That's why it's important there is a high customs presence in the sea and in the air."
"I'd like to think that money is going towards that because we need to stop P and the precursors to P getting across the borders in the first instance."
Additional reporting from NZ Newswire
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