Abuse Of Drugs In New Zealand

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 19

Abuse Of Drugs In New Zealand

New Zealand laws to combat drug trafficking were among the most powerful in the world, Detective Sergeant T. O. Tozer, of the Christchurch narcotics squad, told a meeting of the Sydenham branch of the Labour Party recently.

Speaking on narcotics and their abuse in New Zealand, Detective Sergeant Tozer said that there were no organised drug rings in this country as there was insufficient popu-

lation to supply but there would be a problem as long as there were potential users. Those taking drugs found it difficult to keep employment and so had no money to finance drug-taking and a marked connection between crime and drug abuse became apparent, said Detective Sergeant Tozer. Milk bottle money thefts and ■ more serious crimes occurred as a result. During 1968 an alarming number of chemist shops had been broken into and robbed of drugs.

Fish Shortage.—More than half of the fish shops in Auckland are expected to be closed next week, because of the fish shortage, caused by a dispute between Auckland fishermen and fish wholesalers.—(P. A.)

However, there had been a great reduction in chemist shop robberies since new regulations came into effect, making it mandatory to keep narcotica atored in immovable Steel security cabinets. Detective Sergeant Tozer said that the age group most prominent In court cases involving drugs was the 19 to 21 age group. Even three persons aged 15 had been cbarged with drug offences.

Progress League Officers.— Mr P. F. Maples was returned unopposed as president of the Canterbury . Progress League at the annual general meeting this week. No elections were necessary as Messrs E. H. Williams and D. W. Mulholland were the only nominations for the two vice-president positions and Mr J. M. Tocker was the only one to stand for treasurer. Messrs Williams and Tocker held the same positions last year.