Alarming rise in heroin use, says Minister

Press, 3 February 1979, Page 2

Alarming rise in heroin use, says Minister

PA Wellington Heroin offences in New Zealand had risen by more than 1100 per cent in the last five years, said the Min-1 ister of Police (Mr Gill)' yesterday.

There were 24 offences in 1974 and 303 last year. The number of persons appearing' on drug charges rose by] more than 100 per cent in I that period.

Mr Gill said that the; growth in heroin abuse con-| tinued to be the biggest single cause for concern. i The 3226 persons in court on drug charges last year. a| 72 per cent increase on the number in 1977, was an' intolerable trend. The amount of heroin i seized more than doubled! last year: 1945.4 g compared! with 835 g in 1977. Also last year the police) seized 28,011 cannabis plants, an increase of morel than 100 per cent over 1977. I

<Most persons appearing lon drug charges were involved with cannabis.

Mr Gill said he was particularly alarmed about the! recent growth of cocaine use in New Zealand. Most of the drug originated in South America, which meant that New Zealand drug-traffick-ing routes were being used! in addition to the established! South-East Asian routes. The Government was constantly reviewing enforcement requirements and de-| terrents.

It had increased sharply the penalties for drug ofi fences and had approved 38 new staff specifically for drug-related enforcement duties.

'The introduction of legislation authorising the use of listening devices is still further evidence of the Government’s commitment to halting the spread of drug offending,” said Mr Gill.