By Kay Douglas
I've just finished watching
Chasing the Ghost, a documentary in which Paul Holmes seeks answers about P - pure methamphetamine – the terrible drug that has such a hold over the lives of so many.
Methamphetamine abuse is a huge issue for New Zealand. We have one of the worst rates in the world.
Paul has experienced the devastation first hand as he's watched his daughter Millie's battle with 'P'.
My heart went out to Paul as he spoke about the impact of Millie's addiction. As a parent I can imagine the distress, heartbreak and helplessness of seeing your child succumb to the temptation of this drug and watching the subsequent degeneration. How soul destroying to watch your child's potential and future eroding before your eyes and to be powerless to stop this happening.
Paul look tired and defeated as he contemplated whether to accompany his daughter into court yet again. To go or not to go? The pressure of the media coverage during such a stressful event must be enormous.
I commend Paul Holmes for going public with his own personal heartbreak - and for doing what he can to raise awareness about this evil drug that destroys people's lives.
I also want to acknowledge the many people working in the community with the fallout from P, those helping users to break free from the grip of 'P', health professionals that repeatedly 'pick up the pieces' and those supporting distressed and heartbroken families.
About 'P'...
Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive drugs there is. Taking Methamphetamine triggers a release of the pleasure chemicals in the brain giving the user intense feelings of power, energy and wellbeing. Wanting to experience those feelings again, the user can soon become compulsive about using P. As with other addictive drugs the user is compelled to use more and more in an attempt to to achieve the initial euphoric high. Shocking withdrawal times accompany this and soon the user craves 'P' just so he or she can function.
The human cost for the user and others is immeasureable - recklessness, aggression, criminal activity, violence, health problems, psychosis, broken families and broken lives. An overdose of P can result in heart failure and long-term physical effects such as liver, kidney, and lung damage may also kill...
The unspeakable human suffering for the user and family and friends goes on and on....
This powerful drug is manufactured from cold and flu medication along with all kinds of other lethal ingredients that can damage the environment. The New Zealand government has been slow to respond to the increasing 'P' problem. There needs to be a mandatory code of practice for pharmacies which allows tracking of multiple purchases of these items so this can be stopped. Other countries have computerised records of purchases. Clearly New Zealand needs this too.
At the end of Paul Holmes documentary John Key gave assurances that this problem was being taken seriously. Let's hope we see some action very quickly.
More information...
Methamphetamine
Drug Addiction
Information about Drugs for Parents
10 Myths of Addiction
Finding help...
Find a Community Organisation that can help here >>>
Find a Counsellor or Psychotherapist here>>>
Find a Psychologist here >>>
Please wait
