Projects

Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) research

The Socio-Economic Impact of Amphetamine Type Stimulants in New Zealand: Final Report

Research Briefings: Level of Use and Health Harms (I); The Black Market for ATS and Use of ATS by Arrestees (II); and Future Trends in the Use and Supply of Methamphetamine (III)

New Zealand has experienced a rapid increase in the use and manufacture of ATS drugs such as methamphetamine and ecstasy in recent years. This report presents the findings of research on the socio-economic impact of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) in New Zealand.

The work presented draws on a number of innovative research approaches and methodologies, many of which were tried for the first time in New Zealand during the project. The central aim of the research was to inform the policy response, best practice and strategic planning by New Zealand Police and other relevant government agencies with regard to the recent rise in the use and manufacture of ATS drugs. However because many agencies other than the Police deal with drug problems, the findings reported here have relevance for any organisations responding to ATS problems.

Components of the research included more detailed analysis of the 2001 National Drug Survey database with respect to ATS drugs and Key informant surveying with drug treatment workers, drug enforcement officers and ATS users. The project drew on the expertise of researchers at the National Addiction Centre (NAC) in Christchurch and National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) in Sydney.

The report also includes a chapters on the secondary analysis of ATS drug use from the 2001 National Drug Survey and the local pilot of the New Zealand Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NZ-ADAM) System. The full report on the pilot of NZ-ADAM is available to download.

This preparation of this report was funded by the New Zealand Police with money received from the Cross Departmental Research Pool (CDRP), which is administered by the Ministry of Research Science and Technology (MoRST).

Click here to see Massey News coverage of the research findings which includes a link to a 3 News item on the release of the report.

Project Leader: Dr. Chris Wilkins


SHORE Seminar Presentation,
Friday 16 January 2004
Recent changes in the methamphetamine scene in New Zealand: Findings from key informant surveys of drug enforcement officers and drug treatment workers, Chris Wilkins*, D.Trappitt, D. Sellman, S. Adamson and K. DeZwart, *Centre for Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), Massey University, Auckland


 
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