Pubdate: Tue, 19 May 2009
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2009 New Zealand Herald
Contact: http://info.nzherald.co.nz/letters/
Website: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: Jared Savage
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LAW TWEAK TO NAB DRUG DEALERS

The Herald is running a six-part series on the damage methamphetamine
is doing to New Zealand. We examine how the drug gets in, its
devastating effect on society and what we can do to fix the problem.

A gang expert has welcomed greater powers for police but believes
lawmakers still need to slash the amount of methamphetamine required
to prove P dealing.

Cam Stokes was the detective sergeant in charge of the Auckland
motorcycle gang unit until 2003.

He now runs Drugscene, a company that delivers training on the dangers
of illegal drugs.

Mr Stokes rates the asset-seizure law as "bloody good". However, he
points out the discrepancy in "presumption amounts" between cannabis
and methamphetamine.

Police must prove allegations when they lay criminal charges, except
when they find a large amount of drugs - the presumption amount.

When a person is caught with the presumption amount, they will be
charged with possession for supply, an allegation the accused must
disprove.

For cannabis, the amount is 28g - worth up to $400 - but for P it is
5g, which has a street value of $5000.

Mr Stokes advocates a law change to make methamphetamine a strict
liability offence with a presumption amount of half a gram.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake