Prediction of Speed-Fuelled Violence in Northland

Wednesday 26 Mar 2003 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Crime & Justice

The discovery of the third suspected drug laboratory in Northland this year shows gang problems are out of control, ACT Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.

"Methamphetamines have become popular in Northland. The business of making and selling speed and P has grown - driven by money, by greed and by gangs.

"Methamphetamines have been linked to some of the nation's most serious crimes. William Dwane Bell, who committed the three homicides at the Mount Wellington-Panmure RSA, was on speed. How long will it be before we have a psychotic, violent attack right here in our own backyard, by a criminal on methamphetamines.

"Labour is losing the war against gangs and crime. Police have warned that gangs outnumber them by three to one. There are only ten specialist officers trying to control the gang-related methamphetamine explosion in the entire country.

"Given these facts, and Labour's ideological opposition to ACT's policies of tougher sentencing and more police, it appears obvious that it will only be a matter of time before a methamphetamine-fuelled crime touches the lives of Northlanders," Dr Newman said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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