Police give meth a crack at Fieldays
NZ Police have set up a meth lab at Fieldays to educate people about the dangers of methamphetamine.
Domestic violence, a body on a gurney and methamphetamine – the NZ Police tent at the Mystery Creek Fieldays 2014 has it all.
Police Communications Manager Andrew McAlley said the meth display was set up to educate people on the effects and production of the psychostimulant.
This is the second time the meth or P lab has been re-created at the Fieldays, and the first received huge interest three years ago.
“It was one of the two most successful things we’ve had, the meth lab and the brightly coloured cars. As you can see they’re both out here again,” said McAlley.
“It’s attracted national level media attention, which is what we wanted. It’s about prevention.”
Hamilton Detective Karl Little said the exhibition, showcasing items such as bottles with two layered liquids, small “point” bags, coffee filters and cold and flu medication, may prompt people to “act on their suspicions” should they come across any of the displayed paraphernalia.
“Primarily this is just education for the people coming to the Fieldays, particularly with the rural community. The clandestine methamphetamine labs are being set up in those environments and so we want to draw people’sattention to that. We want to educate them as to the signs and the types of equipment that they’re using so that if they see these things in the course of their business they can bring it to our attention.”
The chemical processes used in meth labs are potentially explosive and can give off toxic fumes, all while using readily available over the counter products.
“If we can get people out here to have a look at just how common the items that go into making meth are, that will educate them on what to look for,” said McAlley.
