Detective Sergeant Graham Parsons, of the West Coast CIB, yesterday said wastewater testing results from Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika over the past year had all shown an increase in drug consumption.
That was in line with the rest of the country, he said.
"We are pleased to note that both enforcement and prevention will be bolstered under the government’s programme of work."
At the weekend, the government unveiled plans, including strengthened border security and increasing addiction services and maritime operations, to disrupt the organised crime networks behind the meth epidemic.
Det Sgt Parsons said police were monitoring all routes for the drug into the West Coast.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith at the weekend called meth "a scourge on our society".
Consumption had doubled last year, and the increased use was fuelling organised crime "and destroys lives", he said.
Wastewater testing nationally showed consumption doubling from 732kg in 2023 to 1434kg in 2024. It caused an estimated $1.5 billion of social harm cost to New Zealand in 2024, Mr Goldsmith said.
Det Sgt Parsons said as recently as last week the police had engaged with Greymouth High School in providing education to students around meth and other illegal drugs.
This followed a wider initiative last year across West Coast schools and communities.
"A number of initiatives are already under way on the West Coast to target the harm caused by this insidious drug, thanks to the West Coast Methamphetamine Intervention Group [MIG]," Det Sgt Parsons said.
This was a governance group comprising key government and non-government agencies.
"Due to the West Coast being a smaller rural area, police can and have in the past made meaningful inroads into tackling the supply of methamphetamine to our communities," he said.
"The best results always happen when our community engages with us, providing critical information on who the suppliers are."
The MIG oversaw high school educational programmes, and the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities programme.
In the latter police and the Regional Public Service collaborated with other local groups to deliver and support new initiatives around meth-caused harm.
Det Sgt Parsons urged people to pass information on directly or online including by phoning 105 or Crimestoppers.
"We also know it is vital that families and individuals who are using or affected by methamphetamine seek help to what is a real health issue due to the very addictive nature of the drug.
"The only way we can stop and further prevent this harmful drug in our community is a whole-of-community response."
— Greymouth Star
