Pubdate: Tue, 30 Dec 2003
Source: Press, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2003 The Christchurch Press Company Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.press.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/349
Author: Jarrod Booker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/new+zealand

GIRLS SELL BODIES TO PAY FOR P

Young girls are turning to prostitution in Christchurch to fund
destructive methamphetamine habits, a senior judge warns.

The girls may well have become hooked on the drug, otherwise known as
P, from free samples supplied by local drug dealers, Youth Drug Court
founder Judge John Walker says.

In an ominous letter to Associate Minister of Health Jim Anderton,
Walker warned the "anticipated upsurge" in use of the highly addictive
drug was becoming apparent in the Youth Court in Christchurch and
other cities.

Youth crime would likely increase as addicts had to meet the cost of
the drug, he said.

It was apparent "young girls of Youth Court age (14 to 17) are being
engaged in prostitution in Christchurch and there seemed to be some
connection between that activity and the supply of methamphetamine to
them", the letter said.

"One of the drug court participants reported being given `ice', the
crystallised and purest form of methamphetamine, and using it. She was
fully conversant with the particular manner in which this drug is
being used," Walker said.

"It is likely that young persons are being targeted with this drug
with the free sample approach to marketing, which will create
methamphetamine addicts among the young."

Walker feared the "free sample" approach by dealers in Christchurch
was similar to "starter kits" for heroin use sold in Australia. Heroin
abuse remains a major problem in Australia.

"(Methamphetamine) is extremely expensive and an increase in
acquisitive crime will follow, and an increase in violent offending by
the young will also result. The need for treatment will increase,"
Walker warned.

In his response to the letter, Anderton wrote that the Government's
reclassification of methamphetamine to a Class A drug was just the
first step in a plan to combat the drug.

Anderton could not be reached for comment yesterday.

National MP Tony Ryall slammed Anderton's "tired" response to the
judge's concerns.

The focus needed to be on the gangs supplying much of the
methamphetamine.

"The Government must toughen the Proceeds of Crime Act so that we can
stop gangs by confiscating their money and assets. We've told the
Government for four years to crack down on the gangs and their money,
but Labour isn't listening," Ryall said.

The Canterbury police youth services manager, Senior Sergeant Peter
Hegarty, said the points raised by Walker were valid.

However his staff were seeing young girls prostitute themselves in
Christchurch more to support alcohol habits or for personal financial
gain.

"If younger people are becoming involved in methamphetamine, it is a
concern to us, as much for the self-harm as for the crime factor,"
Hegarty said.

Prostitutes Collective regional co-ordinator Anna Reed said the number
of young girls working on Christchurch streets was always difficult to
gauge.

"Young people come and go. It's not consistent in any shape or form,"
Reed said.

"It's not always about the drugs. Some (prostitutes) can't access
benefits for various reasons."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin