By Jordan Bond of RNZ

Methamphetamine use has significantly increased and remained elevated since the August 2021 Covid-19 lockdown.

Police wastewater figures show use more than doubled between July and September 2021, and has stayed well above the historical average right through to January 2022, the most recent available figures showed.

A social worker believes the drug is far more entrenched in society now than it was before Covid-19 and that it is not uncommon for children to be using it - some as young as 8 and 9.

A researcher is worried some people who tried it out of sheer boredom during lockdown are now hooked and continuing to use the drug.

Martin Kaipo is the chief executive of Otangarei Trust, which provides social services in the low socio-economic neighbourhoods in Whangārei.

Te Hau Awhiowhio o Otangarei Trust chief executive Martin Kaipo says meth use has crept in to affect all families. Photo / Tania Whyte

For many, he said, lockdown was some combination of a stressful, isolating or otherwise difficult time. Those pressures inevitably led to some using meth more than they previously would have, or some starting to use for the first time.

"Whānau were looking for some type of freedom or something that would allow them to let things go, get rid of their stress, give them some relief."

He has seen meth use increase in the last couple of years.

"It's starting to creep into all families, from the parents to young methamphetamine users at age of eight or nine. They're getting younger," he said.

He was asked if seeing 8 or 9-year-olds using meth was uncommon.

"No, it might have been a few years back but it's not an uncommon thing now."

Kaipo said gangs and syndicates were increasingly "opportunistic" in their approach to dealing the drug - at times handing it out for free to try to get people hooked and become customers.

"I think it's entrenched in our society now... there's quite a lot around."

New Zealand has long had problems with methamphetamine but the issue is worse in some areas, according to the wastewater data.

The proportion of drug use detected within catchment areas during the thrid quarter of 2021. Source / NZ Police

"Northland, the central North Island, actually all the upper half of the North Island has very high levels of methamphetamine compared to the South Island which is much lower. There are some real stark differences," said Dr Chris Wilkins, a drug policy researcher at Massey University.

Wastewater figures show the three highest per capita use regions for methamphetamine - Northland, Waikato, and Eastern - are the three lowest for the second most commonly detected drug, MDMA. And vice versa - the three highest MDMA regions per capita - Canterbury, Southern, and Wellington - are the three lowest meth users per capita.

In places like Kaitaia, Huntly, and Ōpōtiki, meth detection makes up 97 to 100 per cent of all drug detections. In Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, MDMA makes up half or more of the detections.

Wilkins said methamphetamine use is a symptom of poverty and lack of opportunity, but it is also a driver of poverty and poor outcomes.

Dr Chris Wilkins, a drug policy researcher at Massey University. Photo / Doug Sherring, File

It also described meth use in September 2021 as "exceptionally high" and a "significant increase".

Kaipo said it is pretty clear that meth contributes to violent offending.

He said if it is being used more, it will have a hand in an increasing amount of violence, and likely deaths.

Some people probably started smoking the drug simply due to the boredom of lockdowns, he said.

There are some neurochemical similarities with drugs and the boom in online shopping seen during lockdown - an accessible hit of dopamine that breaks the monotony.

"Drug use can be like that as well, looking for something to look forward to."

He worried some lockdown users might now be ongoing users.

"I think this could be a really serious driver of even more methamphetamine use in New Zealand as people become adapted to that lifestyle and get used to using methamphetamine," Wilkins said.

Police data showed methamphetamine use more than doubled between July and September, after the country went into lockdown.

Source / NZ Police

Although use dropped as restrictions eased, meth use has stayed above recent monthly averages.

National Drug Intelligence Bureau manager Detective Inspector Blair McDonald said police and customs were seizing more of the drug than ever before.

But use and availability were still up.

"Methamphetamine use was up 32 per cent for the last few months of the year compared to the average of the previous four quarters. However, January results have shown a decrease... albeit they are still above the rolling 12-month average," a statement from McDonald said.

January is the most recent available data.

"An increase in global production means a steadier supply of methamphetamine into New Zealand, despite an increase in seizures at the borders.

"It is likely methamphetamine consumption has been impacted by the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has increased stress and isolation for many in our communities."

A police update was sent to Police Minister Poto Williams, received on December 2, 2021, which said: "Indications of steady supply include an increase in source reporting in August 2021 regarding large volumes of methamphetamine being successfully imported into New Zealand."